Christmas markets in Germany open from mid-November 2026, and most of them close on 23 or 24 December, so the season is shorter than many people expect. Below are 14 German cities with the 2026 dates confirmed in our city guides, from the big names like Nuremberg and Cologne to small medieval towns such as Rothenburg and Esslingen.
Every city links to our full guide with opening hours, how to get there and what to eat.
Christmas markets in Germany 2026: dates at a glance
| City | Main market | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Cologne | Cathedral market, Roncalliplatz | 16 Nov – 23 Dec |
| Dortmund | City centre, giant tree on Hansaplatz | 19 Nov – 30 Dec |
| Düsseldorf | Old town and Königsallee | 19 Nov – 30 Dec |
| Munich | Marienplatz | 20 Nov – 24 Dec |
| Aachen | Around the cathedral and town hall | 20 Nov – 23 Dec |
| Rothenburg ob der Tauber | Reiterlesmarkt, Marktplatz | 20 Nov – 23 Dec |
| Berlin | Gendarmenmarkt | 23 Nov – 31 Dec |
| Frankfurt | Römerberg | 23 Nov – 22 Dec |
| Hamburg | Rathausmarkt | 23 Nov – 23 Dec |
| Heidelberg | Old town squares | 23 Nov – 22 Dec |
| Esslingen | Medieval market, old town | 24 Nov – 22 Dec |
| Stuttgart | Schlossplatz, Schillerplatz, Marktplatz | 25 Nov – 23 Dec |
| Dresden | Striezelmarkt, Altmarkt | 25 Nov – 24 Dec |
| Nuremberg | Hauptmarkt | 27 Nov – 24 Dec |
All of these markets are free to enter. Many close or open later on Sunday 22 November 2026, which is Totensonntag, a quiet public day in most German states, so check the city guide before you travel that weekend.
The big city Christmas markets in Germany
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
Around 180 stalls with red and white roofs fill the Hauptmarkt from 27 November to 24 December 2026, open daily 10:00 to 21:00. The Christkind opens the market on the first evening from the Frauenkirche balcony. Eat the small Nuremberg sausages three in a roll and buy Lebkuchen to take home. Read our Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt guide.
Dresden Striezelmarkt
The Striezelmarkt on the Altmarkt runs from 25 November to 24 December 2026 and is known for its wooden pyramid and Stollen, the fruit bread Dresden is famous for. The city has several other markets within walking distance. See our Dresden guide.
Cologne
The cathedral market opens on 16 November and runs to 23 December 2026, open Sunday to Wednesday 11:00 to 21:00 and later at the end of the week. Heinzels Wintermärchen in the old town and the harbour market are a short walk away. Read our guide to Cologne’s markets.
Munich
The Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz runs from 20 November to 24 December 2026, closed on 22 November. Add the medieval market at Wittelsbacherplatz and the Tollwood festival on the Theresienwiese. See our Munich guide.
Berlin
Berlin has dozens of markets. Gendarmenmarkt runs from 23 November to 31 December 2026 and usually charges a small entry fee (free at weekday lunchtimes), while the market at the Rotes Rathaus is open to 3 January 2027. Read our Berlin guide.
Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Hamburg
Frankfurt’s market on the Römerberg runs from 23 November to 22 December 2026 (our Frankfurt guide). Stuttgart, known for the decorated roofs on its stalls, is open from 25 November to 23 December, Sunday to Thursday 11:00 to 21:00 and to 22:00 on Friday and Saturday (our Stuttgart guide). Hamburg’s Rathausmarkt market runs from 23 November to 23 December (our Hamburg guide).
Düsseldorf and Dortmund
Both run from 19 November to 30 December 2026, which makes them good choices if you travel between Christmas and New Year. Düsseldorf spreads several themed markets across the old town (our Düsseldorf guide), and Dortmund builds one of the tallest Christmas trees in the world from hundreds of spruces (our Dortmund guide).
Smaller towns and medieval markets
These are easy day trips from the bigger cities and feel less crowded on weekdays.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
The Reiterlesmarkt runs from 20 November to 23 December 2026 inside the walled old town. Try a Schneeball pastry and walk the town wall after dark. Read our Rothenburg guide.
Esslingen
Esslingen, a short train ride from Stuttgart, combines a medieval market with a regular Christmas market: about 180 stalls from 24 November to 22 December 2026, open daily 11:00 to 20:30 and to 21:30 on Friday and Saturday. See our Esslingen guide.
Heidelberg
Heidelberg spreads its market over several old town squares below the castle from 23 November to 22 December 2026. Read our Heidelberg guide.
Aachen
Aachen’s market wraps around the cathedral and town hall from 20 November to 23 December 2026. Buy Aachener Printen, the local spiced biscuit. The town is close to the Dutch border, so it pairs well with Valkenburg’s cave markets. See our Aachen guide.
What to eat and buy
- Glühwein in a souvenir mug. You pay a deposit and get it back when you return the mug, or you keep it.
- Bratwurst, with local versions in Nuremberg and Munich.
- Lebkuchen in Nuremberg, Stollen in Dresden and Printen in Aachen.
- Reibekuchen, crispy potato pancakes, in Cologne and Düsseldorf.
- Wooden nutcrackers, smoking men and candle pyramids from the Ore Mountains, sold at most big markets.
Tips for visiting Christmas markets in Germany
- Plan for 27 November to 22 December if you want every market on this list open at the same time.
- Use the train. Cologne, Düsseldorf, Aachen and Dortmund are all within about an hour of each other, and so are Stuttgart, Esslingen and Heidelberg.
- Go in the late afternoon on a weekday to see the lights come on before the evening crowds.
- Carry some cash for small stalls and mug deposits.
The German National Tourist Board has more regional ideas, and our roundup of Europe’s top markets covers Austria, France and beyond.
Luggage storage near the markets
Many market trips in Germany are day trips or one-night stops, so you often arrive with a suitcase. Radical Storage has partner shops and hotels near stations and old towns across Germany, part of a network of 16.5K+ locations in 2.3K+ cities. Book online, drop your bag and pick it up before your train. Every bag is protected up to €10,000, cancellation is free and the service is rated 4.8/5.
FAQ: Christmas markets in Germany
Cologne’s cathedral market opens on 16 November 2026, Munich on 20 November and Nuremberg on 27 November. Most German markets are open by the last week of November.
Most close on 22, 23 or 24 December. Berlin’s Gendarmenmarkt stays open to 31 December, Düsseldorf and Dortmund to 30 December, and the Rotes Rathaus market in Berlin to 3 January 2027.
Nuremberg and Dresden are the most traditional, Cologne has the most markets close together, and Rothenburg and Esslingen are the best small-town picks.
No, the markets in this guide are free to enter. Berlin’s Gendarmenmarkt usually charges a small fee outside weekday lunchtimes, and rides and ice rinks cost extra.
With trains, two cities a day is realistic when they are close, such as Stuttgart and Esslingen or Cologne and Düsseldorf. Four or five cities fit into a long weekend.
Radical Storage has bookable luggage storage near stations and old towns in German cities. Bags are protected up to €10,000 and cancellation is free.