Christmas Markets in Germany

Germany is the birthplace of the Christmas market tradition, with a heritage dating back to the Late Middle Ages in the 14th and 15th centuries. German Christmas markets—known as Weihnachtsmarkt, Christkindlmarkt, or Christkindlesmarkt—transform town squares into festive celebrations filled with handcrafted goods, seasonal decorations, and traditional foods. Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt, one of the most famous, dates back to 1628 and draws visitors to its historic Hauptmarkt square. Dresden hosts the Striezelmarkt, while cities like Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart each offer their own distinct market traditions. The markets feature wooden stalls selling Christmas decorations with 700 years of history, including traditional items like nutcrackers and Christmas pyramids. Visitors can browse handcrafted goods while enjoying the aroma of seasonal specialties and warm drinks.