Erfurter Weihnachtsmarkt - Willy-Brandt-Platz

The Erfurt Christmas Market at Willy-Brandt-Platz serves as the welcoming gateway to one of Thuringia's most beloved holiday traditions, greeting train travelers the moment they step out of Erfurt Hauptbahnhof. This section of the sprawling Erfurter Weihnachtsmarkt is the first stop on a festive journey that winds through the city's historic heart, stretching from the main station forecourt all the way to the iconic Domplatz cathedral square. Positioned directly in front of the main train station, the Willy-Brandt-Platz area features charming wooden market huts and a giant LED screen displaying an overview of all market locations across the city — a practical and festive orientation point for first-time visitors. The broader Erfurt Christmas Market spans the Anger shopping boulevard, the Schlösserbrücke, the Rathausbrücke (home to the enchanting fairy tale forest), the Fischmarkt, and culminates at the breathtaking Domplatz, framed by the Mariendom cathedral and Severikirche church. Over 200 beautifully decorated wooden stalls offer Thuringian delicacies including the Erfurter Schittchen — one of Germany's oldest Christstollen recipes — and the beloved Thüringer Bratwurst. Traditional crafts abound, from Christmas tree ornaments and blue-print textiles to pottery and Erzgebirge folk art. The Willy-Brandt-Platz section keeps consistent daily hours of 10:00–20:00, making it easy to plan your arrival. Visitors arriving by train can walk the full market route to Domplatz in about 15 minutes, or hop on the city tram for a quick ride.