Germany’s 10 Best Christmas Markets
German Christmas markets sparkle to life each year in late November and keep the festivities going right up to Christmas. Yes, they are outdoors, and yes, it is cold, but that is part of the fun.
People bundle up, wrap their hands around steaming cups of hot spiced wine, and wander from stall to stall the way generations before them did. You will find markets in big cities, small towns, palace courtyards, and old town squares, each with its own personality.
Some feel traditional, some feel playful, and all of them invite you to nibble holiday treats, browse handmade crafts, listen to music, and enjoy the lights. These ten markets capture the magic of Weihnachten at its most joyful.
Berlin Weihnachtsmarkt at the Roten Rathaus
Berlin’s Roten Rathaus Christmas Market brings together a classic Ferris wheel, an ice rink, and rows of stalls serving currywurst, bratwurst, spiced sweets, and hot drinks like apple cider and mulled wine. With free entry and daily Santa visits, it is an easy, festive stop in the city center.
Dresden Striezelmarkt
Holiday traditions run deep at Dresden’s Striezelmarkt, Germany’s oldest Christmas market. The old town is filled with glowing stalls, handmade ornaments, warm drinks, and plenty of bratwurst.
Visitors sample marzipan, browse crafts, and soak up a truly historic holiday setting that draws travelers from all over.
Munich Tollwood Winterfestival
Munich takes a different route with the Tollwood Winterfestival, a celebration that mixes seasonal cheer with creativity and environmental focus.
Visitors can explore global food stalls, enjoy free live music, sip mulled wine, or order the fiery rum-infused punch known as Feuerzangenbowle, which is poured into hot Glühwein for extra flair.
Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market
Set beneath the towering spires of Cologne Cathedral, this market glows beautifully at night as the tree lights up the entire square. Visitors wander between stalls piled with German holiday sweets, warm drinks, and classic ornaments, all framed by the historic heart of the city.