8 of the quirkiest Christmas markets in Germany
Want to try something different from the classic German Christmas market? Here are eight unique alternatives.
1. Erotic Christmas market – St. Pauli, Hamburg
If you want to spice up your advent this year, then head to “Hamburg’s hottest Christmas market” in the city’s Sankt Pauli district.
Alongside the typical festive offerings of Glühwein and traditional stands, this market also hosts regular strip shows and features numerous stands selling erotic gifts and sweets.
Visitors walk through the Santa Pauli Christmas Market on Spielbudenplatz. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Daniel Bockwoldt
The Spielbudenplatz stage in the market also plays host to live music almost every evening throughout the season.
On Mondays, a special Glühwein “pharmacy” offers unicorn mulled wine – a glittery pink beverage with a choice of special flavours.
Open from November 14th to December 23rd
2. Underground Christmas Market - Traben-Trarbach, Rhineland-Palatinate
The town of Traben-Trarbach in Rhineland-Palatinate is home to a particularly special type of Christmas market.
The Mosel Wein Nachts Markt, as it’s officially called, takes place underground in a series of former wine cellars which date back to the 18th century.
A festively decorated wine cellar in Traben-Trarbach - at the Moselle Wine Night Market. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/Weinkeller Traben-Trarbach | Jan-Gerrit Baumann
As the name suggests, this Christmas market has a lot to offer in terms of wine, as it is set in the heart of the Mosel region which is famous for its Riesling.
READ ALSO: 5 things you need to know about German Glühwein
There’s an emphasis on art, antiquity and culture in this market too. International and national artisans and exhibitors sell decorative items, antiques, clocks and creative fashion and jewellery.
Open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 18th to December 18th, 2022
3. Forest Christmas market - Velen, North Rhein-Westphalia
For a fairytale festive experience, visit the forest Christmas market in Velen, North Rhein-Westphalia.
The market has been running here on the land of the Krumme family in North-Western NRW since 1999 and is well-known throughout the region for its special brand of Christmassy magic.
Huts scattered throughout the forest serve up culinary delights and homemade goods and those wanting to warm up can visit the historic farmhouse café or nestle inside one of the winter huts.
Children can ride on the nostalgic train, bake stick bread at the crackling fire or meet Santa Claus.
Open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 25th to December 18th, 2022
4. 19th Century Christmas market - Werben, Saxony-Anhalt
The Biedermeier Christmas Market in Werben is one of the most beautiful and unusual markets in northern Germany.
The theme is the Biedermeier period from 1815 to 1848 and, accordingly, stall owners, local theatre groups, merchants and friends of the town, participate in creating this early 19th century themed market.
The Biedermeier Christmas market in Werben an der Elbe takes visitors back in time. Photo: picture alliance / dpa-tmn | Jürgen Sturtzel
The market is always bustling with men in tailcoats and top hats, and ladies in long dresses and bonnets and is full of stalls selling contemporary knickknacks. There are theatrical and musical performances and, in the evening, candle lanterns and kerosene lamps bathe the hustle and bustle in atmospheric light.
Open on December 10th and 11th, 2022
5. Ecological Christmas Market - Berlin
For those feeling bad about the excesses of Christmas already, the Ökomarkt at Kollwitzplatz in Berlin is a good place for guilt-free shopping and celebrations.
The assortment of sustainable stalls ranges from Christmas decorations to textiles, toys and jewellery from all over the world that meet social and ecological standards.
READ ALSO: Seven unmissable Christmas markets that open this week in Germany
There is also a wide range of organic and fair trade food on offer, from sweet treats such as crêpes, vegan waffles and pastries to hearty dishes such as bratwurst and pizza.
Open on November 27th, December 4th, 11th, and 18th
6. Japanese Christmas Market - Berlin
Since 2014, the Japanese community in Berlin has been laying on a colourful celebration of Japanese culture with a Japanese Christmas market.
Stalls selling paintings, photography, ceramics, illustrations and fashion cover traditional and modern designs - from kimonos to kawaii, from kokeshi to kendama. A taste of Japanese cuisine is also on offer along with hot sake.
There are workshops for those wanting to deepen their knowledge of Japanese culture and the entertainment program includes Japanese music, karaoke, dance and sumo.
Opening in December – dates not yet released (check here for updates)
7. Pink Christmas Market - Munich
The pink star amongst Munich's Christmas markets will be back again this year on Stephansplatz in the heart of the Glockenbach district in Munich.
The Pink Christmas on the Stephansplatz in Munich. Photo: picture alliance / dpa-tmn | Pink Christmas
With its elegant white pagoda tents and atmospheric light design - and abundance of pink - this Christmas market is a special spot to enjoy the festive season. Organisers call it "the place to be" for the LGBTIQ* community, neighbours, friends and Christmas market fans from all over the world.
READ ALSO: How do Germans celebrate Christmas?
Stalls offer delicious food, drinks and gifts, while unique, nightly shows keep the bustling crowds entertained.
Pink Christmas is open from November 21st - December 23rd.
8. Christmas Market by boat – Spreewald, Brandenburg
Spreewald is a magical place to visit at any time of the year but at Christmas, it’s something truly special.
The Spreewald Weihnacht – zwei Märkte, eine Kahnfahrt (two markets, one boat ride) offers a very unique Christmas market experience.
Visitors wait at the port of Lübbenau (Brandenburg) to take a Spreewald barge to the Christmas market in the open-air museum of the Spreewald village Lehde. Photo: picture alliance / Patrick Pleul/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa | Patrick Pleul
The first port of call is the Great Spreewald Harbor, where – amongst the usual Christmas market offerings - stalls and booths sell smoked fish, Christmas plinse and hot grog. Then, market-goers are taken on a wintry boat trip to the open-air museum in Lehde through the tranquillity of the Spreewald nature in hibernation.
In the Open Air Museum Lehde visitors can taste regional delicacies at the market stalls, stroll along the craftsmen's market and meet some ancient mythical figures who offer good wishes for the coming year.
Open on November 26th, 27th and December 3rd and 4th
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1. Erotic Christmas market – St. Pauli, Hamburg
If you want to spice up your advent this year, then head to “Hamburg’s hottest Christmas market” in the city’s Sankt Pauli district.
Alongside the typical festive offerings of Glühwein and traditional stands, this market also hosts regular strip shows and features numerous stands selling erotic gifts and sweets.
The Spielbudenplatz stage in the market also plays host to live music almost every evening throughout the season.
On Mondays, a special Glühwein “pharmacy” offers unicorn mulled wine – a glittery pink beverage with a choice of special flavours.
Open from November 14th to December 23rd
2. Underground Christmas Market - Traben-Trarbach, Rhineland-Palatinate
The town of Traben-Trarbach in Rhineland-Palatinate is home to a particularly special type of Christmas market.
The Mosel Wein Nachts Markt, as it’s officially called, takes place underground in a series of former wine cellars which date back to the 18th century.
As the name suggests, this Christmas market has a lot to offer in terms of wine, as it is set in the heart of the Mosel region which is famous for its Riesling.
READ ALSO: 5 things you need to know about German Glühwein
There’s an emphasis on art, antiquity and culture in this market too. International and national artisans and exhibitors sell decorative items, antiques, clocks and creative fashion and jewellery.
Open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 18th to December 18th, 2022
3. Forest Christmas market - Velen, North Rhein-Westphalia
For a fairytale festive experience, visit the forest Christmas market in Velen, North Rhein-Westphalia.
The market has been running here on the land of the Krumme family in North-Western NRW since 1999 and is well-known throughout the region for its special brand of Christmassy magic.
Huts scattered throughout the forest serve up culinary delights and homemade goods and those wanting to warm up can visit the historic farmhouse café or nestle inside one of the winter huts.
Children can ride on the nostalgic train, bake stick bread at the crackling fire or meet Santa Claus.
Open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 25th to December 18th, 2022
4. 19th Century Christmas market - Werben, Saxony-Anhalt
The Biedermeier Christmas Market in Werben is one of the most beautiful and unusual markets in northern Germany.
The theme is the Biedermeier period from 1815 to 1848 and, accordingly, stall owners, local theatre groups, merchants and friends of the town, participate in creating this early 19th century themed market.
The market is always bustling with men in tailcoats and top hats, and ladies in long dresses and bonnets and is full of stalls selling contemporary knickknacks. There are theatrical and musical performances and, in the evening, candle lanterns and kerosene lamps bathe the hustle and bustle in atmospheric light.
Open on December 10th and 11th, 2022
5. Ecological Christmas Market - Berlin
For those feeling bad about the excesses of Christmas already, the Ökomarkt at Kollwitzplatz in Berlin is a good place for guilt-free shopping and celebrations.
The assortment of sustainable stalls ranges from Christmas decorations to textiles, toys and jewellery from all over the world that meet social and ecological standards.
READ ALSO: Seven unmissable Christmas markets that open this week in Germany
There is also a wide range of organic and fair trade food on offer, from sweet treats such as crêpes, vegan waffles and pastries to hearty dishes such as bratwurst and pizza.
Open on November 27th, December 4th, 11th, and 18th
6. Japanese Christmas Market - Berlin
Since 2014, the Japanese community in Berlin has been laying on a colourful celebration of Japanese culture with a Japanese Christmas market.
Stalls selling paintings, photography, ceramics, illustrations and fashion cover traditional and modern designs - from kimonos to kawaii, from kokeshi to kendama. A taste of Japanese cuisine is also on offer along with hot sake.
There are workshops for those wanting to deepen their knowledge of Japanese culture and the entertainment program includes Japanese music, karaoke, dance and sumo.
Opening in December – dates not yet released (check here for updates)
7. Pink Christmas Market - Munich
The pink star amongst Munich's Christmas markets will be back again this year on Stephansplatz in the heart of the Glockenbach district in Munich.
With its elegant white pagoda tents and atmospheric light design - and abundance of pink - this Christmas market is a special spot to enjoy the festive season. Organisers call it "the place to be" for the LGBTIQ* community, neighbours, friends and Christmas market fans from all over the world.
READ ALSO: How do Germans celebrate Christmas?
Stalls offer delicious food, drinks and gifts, while unique, nightly shows keep the bustling crowds entertained.
Pink Christmas is open from November 21st - December 23rd.
8. Christmas Market by boat – Spreewald, Brandenburg
Spreewald is a magical place to visit at any time of the year but at Christmas, it’s something truly special.
The Spreewald Weihnacht – zwei Märkte, eine Kahnfahrt (two markets, one boat ride) offers a very unique Christmas market experience.
The first port of call is the Great Spreewald Harbor, where – amongst the usual Christmas market offerings - stalls and booths sell smoked fish, Christmas plinse and hot grog. Then, market-goers are taken on a wintry boat trip to the open-air museum in Lehde through the tranquillity of the Spreewald nature in hibernation.
In the Open Air Museum Lehde visitors can taste regional delicacies at the market stalls, stroll along the craftsmen's market and meet some ancient mythical figures who offer good wishes for the coming year.
Open on November 26th, 27th and December 3rd and 4th
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