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Christmas markets in Central Germany


Besides the classical German Christmas markets in Erfurt or Weimar, Thuringia offers special places as well which are worth visiting in advent season. A stroll through the narrow streets of the famous Wartburg castle near Eisenach for example can be topped off by a festive concert at ceremonial hall. Towns in the Harz Mountains that are well known for their half-timbered houses are nice to walk through as they are decorated with Christmas lights, “Schwibbögen” (wooden semi-circular arches) and candles. Every Sunday in December you can take the chance to look behind the scenes of the medieval streets in Quedlinburg…

Come with us on a Christmas Tour to the most beautiful Christmas Markets in Thuringia, the Harz Mountains and Saxony-Anhalt and become part of the Christmas country of Germany! you can also read on to find out more about Christmas markets in Saxony and between Berlin and Bavaria.

Christmas markets in Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt

Erfurt

The medieval old town around the Cathedral Square offers the ideal scenery for this wonderful Christmas market. The Erfurt Christmas market is situated at the famous "Domplatz", a large square in front of the 70 steps that lead up to St. Mary's Cathedral, the St. Severus Church, and the Petersburg Hill with its walled Baroque fortress. The fair, which runs from late November until just before Christmas, attracts busloads of visitors from all over Germany. More than 200 booths sell everything from Thuringian handicrafts to Stollen and other Christmas food.

Dates: 22/11/ until 22/12/

Christmas market in Erfurt © Tourismus Gesellschaft Erfurt

Historic Christmas market at Wartburg Castle

Nestled in the picturesque winter landscape of the Thuringian Forest, the Wartburg attracts countless guests to Eisenach with its wonderfully romantic Christmas market. The crafts of yore – including candle-making, glass-blowing and soap-making – will whisk you away to the world of historic market trading, with entertainment provided by minstrels, clowns and puppeteers. The Advent concerts held in the Great Hall are also highly recommended.

Dates: 1st until 3rd Advent weekend

Weimar

Apart from lapping up the cosy atmosphere, visitors can look forward to Christmas wares offered for sale by craftsmen and traders. Traditional pyramids and nutcrackers from the Ore Mountains, glassware from Lauscha, wooden toys from Thuringia: all this and many other surprises are waiting to be discovered. Weimar may be famous for many things – but hardly anyone knows that the first public Christmas tree was erected in Weimar. Taking pity on the poor children of the town, one night before Christmas in 1815 or 1816, court bookseller Johann Wilhelm Hoffmann put up the first Christmas tree for the public anywhere in Germany outside his shop in Cranach House on the market square. The dream of a Christmas tree for all children had finally come true. To commemorate his gesture, every year the tall fir tree on the market square is erected to the accompaniment of carols performed by local choirs a few days before the Christmas Market opens.

Dates: 22/11/ until 05/01/ (closed on 24/,25/12/ and 01/01/)

Get to know our group tour offer city tour to Weimar that we can also offer you during christmas time.

christmas market Weimar © Weimar GmbH, Maik Schuck

Christmas markets
in the Harz mountains

Goslar

Tucked away between historic half-timbered buildings and beautifully illuminated façades, Goslar Christmas Market spellbinds visitors year after year – and truly earns its reputation as one of the region’s most cosy Christmas markets. Take a few steps away from the market square, and all of a sudden you will find yourself on a springy forest floor dotted with pine trees towering up to ten metres above you. You may still be in the centre of town, but you’re now in a forest – the Goslar Christmas Forest. Simply add a hot mug of mulled wine to indulge in a delicious helping of festive cheer!

Dates: 23/11/ until 30/12/

snowy christmas market in Goslar © Goslar Marketing GmbH

Wernigerode

Glorious half-timbered buildings with lovingly decorated shop windows, charming old-town alleys, the smell of roasted almonds, candy floss and mulled wine… there are so many reasons to love Wernigerode Christmas Market! It is therefore hardly surprising that the Christmas market in the “colourful town of the Harz mountains” is one of the region’s most popular. The historic buildings which line the market square lend it an especially cosy atmosphere, with an array of stalls offering food, drink and festive goods on hand to give you a Christmas experience to savour.

Dates: 25/11/ until 22/12/

Christmas markets
in Saxony-Anhalt

Magdeburg

Magdeburg Christmas Market is renowned as one of Central Germany’s most magical Christmas markets, and blends the wonderful backdrop of the Town Hall with the enticing smell of roasted almonds and mulled wine. Over 125 stalls fascinate visitors with a wonderful selection of wooden toys, Christmas tree decorations, silk paintings and pottery. A big wheel, a skating rink, Magdeburg’s long tradition of mulled wine-making and an exciting range of events and performances will give you a festive experience to remember!

Dates: 21/11/ until 29/12/ (closed on 24/,25/12/)

Halle - Händel's native town

A visit to Halle during Advent is a great opportunity to visit the town’s Christmas market, which fills the historic town centre with a romantic glow. Let yourself be enticed by the delightful scent of festive delicacies, and experience the music, craft demonstrations and performances that make Halle Christmas Market so special. One particular highlight is the “Arctic Village”, where visitors can not only stroke and feed reindeer, but also taste Finnish specialties such as glögi (mulled wine) and flame-grilled salmon.

Dates: 22/11/ until 23/12/

Lights in Magdeburg © www.AndreasLander.de

More travel tips for Christmas markets

We are pleased to a plan a special christmas tour itinerary for your next group tour to Germany. Please do not hesitate to contact us!

Here you find more information about Christmas markets in Germany that definitely worth a visit!

Credits:
Christmas market Erfurt © Tourismus Gesellschaft Erfurt
Christmas market Weimar © Maik Schuck, Weimar GmbH
Christmas market Goslar © Goslar Marketing GmbH
Lights in Magdeburg © www.AndreasLander.de