'Tis the season! We've officially entered the most magical time of the year with all the festive decorations setting the city ablaze in twinkling lights, holly jolly smiles on people’s faces, ginger bread, roasted almonds and lots of mulled wine. We've put together an overview of the Advent and Christmas Markets in Würzburg as well as our top tips for Christmas Markets to visit in the surrounding area.
Have a happy, joyful and peaceful pre-Christmas time everybody!
🎄 WÜRZBURG CHRISTMAS MARKET
"In the heart of Würzburg's Old Town one of Germany's most picturesque and enchanting Christmas Markets attracts thousands of visitors every year. The Christmas market's tradition dates back to the early 19th century. The historic market square with its Gothic Chapel of St Mary and its abundance of Baroque architecture provide a scenic backdrop for some 115 wooden stalls. Choose from handmade holiday decorations ranging from artful glass, straw, pewter and pottery to wooden toys. Look out for original knitwear, creative jewelry, mouth-watering delicatessen or tasty gingerbread for your loved ones. Sample delicious Franconian Christmas cookies and roasted almonds, and don't forget to sip the traditional Glühwein, a popular hot red wine infused with spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel."
Location: Würzburg, Upper and Lower Market Square and Eichhornstraße
Dates: November 25th – December 23rd
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10am-8.30pm, Sunday 11am-8.30pm
More info: Christmas Market Würzburg
🎄 BÜRGERBRÄU WEIHNACHT
To kick off the Christmas season, the artists, restaurateurs, and creatives of Würzburg's Bürgerbräu area are putting on a Christmas Market on the first weekend in Advent. Browse the artisan market, shops and galleries for art, clothes, design trinkets or Christmas gifts and treat yourself to good food and hot drinks like mulled wine or eggnog. Let yourself be put into a festive mood by the unique Christmassy atmosphere brought on with atmospheric DJ sets, ambient lights, and the city's highest illuminated Christmas tree.
Location: Würzburg Zellerau, Bürgerbräu Areal, Frankfurter Straße 87
Dates: First Weekend in Advent (26.-27.11.)
Opening hours: Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday 11am-6pm
More info: Bürgerbräu Würzburg
🎄 DORNHEIMER WEIHNACHTSMARKT
"The alternative Christmas Market at the Waldschänke Dornheim might be the most beautiful pre-Christmas gift that Würzburg has to offer." Treat yourself to delicious and creative delicacies, sweets and traditional dishes from the pots of the Dornheim cuisine and keep warm with lots of mulled wine, spirits, and craft beer. Browse the wide assortment of the arts and crafts market for Christmas gifts (or even get yourself a Christmas tree at the tree sale!) and keep your kids (or yourself) entertained with carousel rides, curling, and other winterly activities. The festivities are rounded off with selected concerts and DJ sets getting you through those long winter nights.
Location: Würzburg, Waldschänke Dornheim, Talaveraplatz
Dates: Advent Weekends (25.-27.11., 02.-04.12., 09.-11.12., 16.-18.12.)
Opening Hours: Daily 4pm – 1am, varying evening program
More info: Dornheimer Weihnachtsmarkt
🎄 ROTHENBURG "REITERLESMARKT"
"Long nights and shorter, colder days: if you want to get the best out of a German tradition, then a visit to Rothenburg’s Reiterlesmarkt is a must during the Advent period. Every year, the medieval town of Rothenburg is transformed into a winter’s fairytale. This market can look back on over 500 years of living heritage that has hardly changed a lot since its historic origins. To keep body and soul together, treat yourself to a glass of mulled wine, enjoy an original Rothenburg Snowball, or, if you have a heartier appetite, satisfy your hunger with a grilled sausage or roast chestnuts. There are also numerous cultural events held to coincide with the Christmas market. Visitors to the Christmas Market can enjoy the wonderful view from the Town Hall Tower until 8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday."
Location: Rothenburg o.d. Tauber, Marktplatz 2
Dates: November 25th – December 23rd
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 11am-7pm, Friday to Sunday 11am-8pm
How to get there: Train (Würzburg Hbf --> Rothenburg ob der Tauber, ca. 1 hour)
More info: The "Reiterlesmarkt" of Rothenburg ob der Tauber
🎄 NÜRNBERGER CHRISTKINDLESMARKT
"Experience Nuremberg with its world-famous Christkindlesmarkt and dive into the one-of-a-kind atmosphere of the festively decorated Old Town. The world famous Christkindlesmarkt is unrivalled in its beauty, traditions and atmosphere. The aroma of mulled wine and gingerbread as well as brass ensembles and children´s choirs. And along with all this there is a Children´s Market for the little ones. Let yourself be enchanted by the special and festive atmosphere of the city. With its hundreds of years of history, the traditional market has to offer many things to do and enjoy."
Location: Nuremberg, Old Town
Dates: November 25th – December 24th
Opening Hours: Daily 10am-9pm, Christmas Eve 10am-2pm
How to get there: Train (Würzburg Hbf --> Nürnberg Hbf, ca. 1 hour)
More info: Nuremberg Chritskindlesmarkt
🎄 SOMMERHÄUSER ALTORT WEIHNACHT
In Sommerhausen, a somewhat different Christmas market is taking place on the four Advent weekends. Artisans and craftsmen offer their works (mostly paintings, collages, glass and ceramics) in houses, courtyards, vaults, studios and galleries scattered all over the medieval old town. Advent concerts at the church, joyful street music, and theatrical performances complement the Christmassy atmosphere and the unique inspiring flair of the Altort Weihnacht. Sommerhausens historic old town with its small streets, towers and half-timbered houses offers the perfect backdrop to get into that Chrismas spirit.
Location: Sommerhausen, Altort
Dates: Advent Weekends (25.-27.11., 02.-04.12., 09.-11.12., 16.-18.12.)
Opening Hours: Saturday and Sunday 1pm-7pm
How to get there: Bus (Würzburg Hbf --> Kirchplatz, Sommerhausen, ca. 45 minutes)
More info: Program Sommerhäuser Weihnachtsmarkt (German)
🎄 HIMMELSTADTER WEIHNACHTSERLEBNISSE
Himmelstadt might be best known for its "Weihnachtspostamt" (Christmas postal service), where you can write and post letters to the Christkind or Santa. On the first and third weekend in Advent, there also is a very family-friendly Christmas Market taking place along the Main river promenade in the old town. "The Himmelstadter Weihnachtserlebnisse invite you to visit the Christmas Market and handicraft market, where you can look over the shoulders of the different artisans. With many music groups, crafting in the Engelwerk, painting competitions, fairy tale storytellers and magicians, as well as different food and drinks the market doesn’t only offer a varied range of Christmas products, but also holds different attractions for young and old."
Location: Himmelstadt, Mainlände Kirchplatz - Mainbrücke
Dates: 1st and 3rd Advent Weekend (26.-27.11., 10.-11.12.)
Opening Hours: Saturday 3pm-8pm, Sunday 1pm-7pm
Opening Hours Christmas Post Office: 2pm-6pm
How to get there: Train (Würzburg Hbf --> Himmelstadt, ca. 20 min.)
More info: Himmelstadter Weihnachtserlebnisse (German)
Photo Credit: Würzburger Weihnachtsmarkt, (c) Christian Weiß
