Augsburger Christkindlesmarkt

The Augsburger Christkindlesmarkt is one of Germany's oldest Christmas markets, tracing its roots to the 15th century and carrying its beloved official name since 1949. Set against the magnificent Renaissance façade of Augsburg's City Hall and the soaring Perlach Tower on Rathausplatz, this market offers a genuinely historic atmosphere that few others can match. The market spreads across Rathausplatz and Martin-Luther-Platz, winding along Philippine-Welser-Straße and Maximilianstraße all the way to the front of St. Moritz Church, accommodating roughly a million visitors each season. The undisputed highlight is the Engelesspiel — a breathtaking Angel Performance in which 23 young women dressed as angels appear in the illuminated windows of the Town Hall façade every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 6 p.m., transforming the building into a living Advent calendar. The tradition was created in 1977 by tourism director Fritz Kleiber, inspired by Hans Holbein's famous altar angels. On December 23rd, the angels descend the stairs to the portal in front of the Town Hall for a special finale performance. Families will appreciate the dedicated Kinderweihnachtsmarkt (Children's Christmas Market) near Moritzplatz, complete with a Nikolaus house, carousel, and seasonal performances. Shoppers can browse hand-carved wooden ornaments, Augsburg-themed ceramics, and traditional Swabian crafts, while food lovers can indulge in regional specialties like Zwetschgendatschi, Augsburger Brezen, Dambedei figures, and warming mulled wine. The market runs entirely on 100% hydropower electricity, reflecting a genuine commitment to sustainability. Arrive on a Friday or Saturday evening to witness the Engelesspiel and soak up the full magic of this extraordinary market.