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Christmas Markets in Germany 2026: 7 Classic Cities

Germany's major Christmas markets open between mid-November and the Friday before first Advent, and nearly all close by 23 or 24 December 2026. Check Totensonntag closures on 22 November 2026 before booking a November weekend.

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On the map49.45° N, 11.08° ENurembergApproximate city locationView section

Map data: Natural Earth · Place data: GeoNames, CC BY 4.0, modified

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4 places

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  1. Nuremberg (Approximate city location)
  2. Dresden (Approximate city location)
  3. Cologne (Approximate city location)
  4. Munich (Approximate city location)

Location coordinates: Nuremberg, Dresden, Cologne, Munich.

How to pick your German Christmas market

Start with your travel dates rather than city names. Cologne opens as early as 16 November 2026 and Munich and Rothenburg follow on 20 November, whereas Nuremberg waits until 27 November 2026. Equally important, Sunday 22 November 2026 is Totensonntag, a statutory remembrance day when early-opening markets such as Cologne, Munich and Rothenburg stay closed all day.

For a relaxed trip for two, visit Tuesday to Thursday afternoon and book an old-town room within walking distance so you can warm up between dusk lights and dinner. Most stalls close on 23 December or by 2 pm on 24 December, so Germany works best before Christmas Eve rather than between Christmas and New Year.

  • Early November start (from 16-20 November 2026, closed 22 November): Cologne, Munich and Rothenburg.
  • Classic late-November openings (25-27 November 2026): Dresden Striezelmarkt, Stuttgart and Nuremberg.
  • Best compact timbered backdrop: Rothenburg ob der Tauber on a midweek evening.

Nuremberg: Christkindlesmarkt on Hauptmarkt

The City of Nuremberg lists the 2026 Christkindlesmarkt from Friday 27 November to Thursday 24 December 2026 on Hauptmarkt. Regular opening hours run daily from 10 am to 9 pm, with Christmas Eve (24 December) ending early at 2 pm.

On opening Friday 27 November the market stays open until 10 pm, pausing stall sales between 5.30 pm and 6 pm during the prologue from the Frauenkirche gallery. Pair Hauptmarkt with quieter morning walks up toward the imperial castle.

  • Dates: 27 November to 24 December 2026.
  • Daily hours: 10 am to 9 pm (opening day until 10 pm; 24 December 10 am to 2 pm).

Sources: Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt 2026

Dresden: 592nd Dresdner Striezelmarkt on Altmarkt

Dresden's official Striezelmarkt page lists the 592nd edition from Wednesday 25 November to Thursday 24 December 2026 on Altmarkt. Opening day runs from 4 pm to 9 pm with stall sales starting at 4.30 pm after the ceremony, followed by daily opening from 10 am to 9 pm through 23 December and 10 am to 2 pm on 24 December.

Ore Mountain woodcraft arches, candle pyramids and Dresdner Christstollen shape the square. Combine Altmarkt with a walk past the Frauenkirche and Brühl's Terrace above the Elbe.

  • Dates: 25 November to 24 December 2026.
  • Hours: 25 November 4 pm to 9 pm; 26 November-23 December 10 am to 9 pm; 24 December 10 am to 2 pm.

Sources: 592. Dresdner Striezelmarkt 2026

Cologne: Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom

The official Cologne Cathedral Christmas market organiser lists the 2026 season on Roncalliplatz from Monday 16 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026, remaining completely closed on Sunday 22 November 2026 for Totensonntag.

Stalls open Sunday to Wednesday from 11 am to 9 pm, Thursday and Friday from 11 am to 10 pm, and Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm directly beneath the cathedral spires right next to Köln Hauptbahnhof.

  • Dates: 16 November to 23 December 2026 (closed 22 November 2026).
  • Hours: Sun-Wed 11 am to 9 pm, Thu-Fri 11 am to 10 pm, Sat 10 am to 10 pm.

Sources: Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom 2026

Munich: Münchner Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz

Munich's official Christkindlmarkt portal schedules the 2026 market around Marienplatz and Rindermarkt from Friday 20 November to Thursday 24 December 2026, with a full-day closure on Sunday 22 November 2026 (Totensonntag).

Regular hours run Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm, and 24 December from 10 am to 2 pm. Browse the Kripperlmarkt nativity stalls nearby when Marienplatz fills up around dusk.

  • Dates: 20 November to 24 December 2026 (closed 22 November 2026).
  • Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am to 9 pm, Sun 10 am to 8 pm, 24 December 10 am to 2 pm.

Sources: Münchner Christkindlmarkt 2026

Stuttgart: Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt around Schlossplatz

Stuttgart's official market site lists the 2026 run from Wednesday 25 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026 across Schlossplatz, Schillerplatz, Marktplatz and Karlsplatz, known for lavishly decorated wooden stall roofs.

Opening Wednesday 25 November starts stall sales at 5 pm before the 6 pm ceremony in the Old Castle courtyard. Regular hours run Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm and Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm.

  • Dates: 25 November to 23 December 2026.
  • Hours: Opening day from 5 pm; Sun-Thu 11 am to 9 pm; Fri-Sat 11 am to 10 pm.

Sources: Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt 2026

Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Frankfurt am Main

Rothenburg's historic Reiterlesmarkt runs from Friday 20 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026 around Marktplatz, Grüner Markt and Kirchplatz (closed 22 November 2026). Stalls open Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 7 pm and Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm, with the traditional Reiterle appearance on Friday 27 November.

Frankfurt's Christmas market stretches from Roßmarkt and Hauptwache down to Römerberg and Mainkai from Monday 23 November to Tuesday 22 December 2026, open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm. Direct ICE trains link Frankfurt, Nuremberg and Munich, making a big-city and medieval-town pairing straightforward.

  • Rothenburg Reiterlesmarkt: 20 November-23 December 2026 (closed 22 November; Sun-Thu 11 am-7 pm, Fri-Sat 11 am-8 pm).
  • Frankfurt Weihnachtsmarkt: 23 November-22 December 2026 (Mon-Sat 10 am-9 pm, Sun 11 am-9 pm).

Sources: Rothenburger Reiterlesmarkt, Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt 2026, Deutsche Bahn Timetables and Connections

Checklist before booking Germany in Advent

Confirm exact opening hours and mug deposit cash needs before setting off, as smaller craft stalls still prefer euro notes and coins.

  • Avoid planning market visits on Sunday 22 November 2026 (Totensonntag).
  • Reserve ICE seats early on Friday afternoon and Sunday evening Advent services.
  • Pack cash in small euro notes for mug deposits (Pfand) and traditional snacks.

Sources