The Christmas markets in Hamburg got people in the mood for Christmas Eve. The Christmas tradition in the Hamburg area is known worldwide, and there are Christmas markets based on this model in many countries. The historic Christmas market has been enchanting guests in downtown Hamburg with lights, mulled wine, lard, music and everything that goes with it.
Many fascinating towns and communities, castles and palaces show their romantic side during Advent. Stroll through the Christmas market between the first Advent and Christmas Eve. Old handicrafts are cultivated on the town hall market, Christmas specialties are offered and atmospheric programs are organised. Immerse in the magical world of bright lights and delicacies. In the themed alleys you will find a wide range of Christmas decorations, gifts for young and old and culinary delicacies. The time of longing for harmony and closeness, culinary delights, Christmas decorations and gifts for loved ones and our children. All of this is a festive part of the traditional Christmas markets.
Hamburg’s Christmas markets open their doors at the latest on the first Advent, transforming Hamburg into a true Christmas paradise every year. Everywhere in the city there are small and large markets that tempt with their individual charm. It is the most contemplative time of the year, characterized by candlelight and the smell of cookies, frost flowers on the window, mysterious Christmas stories, the freezing cold and romantic nights by the blazing open fire. Gingerbread, Printen, Stollen, Spekulatius, cinnamon stars, mulled wine and hot apple juice are all part of it, and there is a large selection and the best quality at the Christmas market.
During the Christmas season, Hamburg offers many opportunities for Christmas shopping. Discover traditional shops, let the search for the most beautiful Christmas presents. The beautiful, traditional, romantic, popular Christmas markets sell special goods, such as handicrafts for Christmas decorations and food. Many Christmas markets also offer visitors rides, music and performances such as nativity plays. Many Hamburg Christmas markets still lure people with mulled wine and lard pastries after the festival.
Hamburg restaurants that offer the feast to eat in or to take away, browse through unusual assortments and shop for culinary delicacies. November darkness and Advent heralds the approach of Christmas with its special colours, scents, contemplative sounds and fragrant Christmas baking. Mulled wine, roasted almonds, gingerbread and festive booth magic at the Christmas market, there is a lot to discover at traditional Christmas markets.
In addition to events in winter, the Christmas markets in particular ensure an atmospheric ambience everywhere. Children can look forward to all sorts of exciting, entertaining activities, nostalgic merry-go-rounds, storytellers, Nicholas, Christkind and Santa Claus with his horde of helpers, while adults admire the wonderful displays, the sparkling Christmas tree and the lovingly designed nativity scene with steaming mulled wine. A varied stage program surrounded by Christmas sounds guarantees entertainment for young and old and makes a stroll through the Christmas market an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
Christmas markets
From traditional Christmas markets in the city center to cute stalls in the individual districts, the most beautiful Christmas markets in Hamburg are spread throughout the city. On every corner in Hamburg it glitters and sparkles at Christmas time. If you stroll through the streets of the Hanseatic city, you can experience a lot of surprises. Everywhere there is a tempting smell of mulled wine, gingerbread, cinnamon and fir branches.
City center
Rathausmarkt Christmas market
Flying Santa Claus, horse carousel, market gendarme Rudi, the historic Christmas market in front of the historic backdrop of Hamburg City Hall is run by Roncalli, takes place under the motto “Art instead of commerce”. In addition to a toy alley, there are handicrafts and wood carvings from Tyrol and much more to admire and of course to buy. Instead of popcorn there is Nuremberg gingerbread, instead of plastic things handicrafts and unusual gift ideas. A special Rathausmarkt mulled wine is also served. Visitors can look forward to 80 stands with gastronomic and handicraft offers. This year there are also two pop-up huts that local traders can rent for a week.
After three years, this time the flying Santa Claus is back. Flying over the heads of the visitors, he will tell the story of Rudolf the reindeer three times a day. The historic horse carousel from 1927 and the attraction “Käthe Wohlfahrt’s Christmas World” as well as the popular market gendarme Rudi are returning to the Christmas market. The Christmas parade enchants Mönckebergstrasse into a unique fairytale world. Angels, elves and ice queens dance through the streets. Gnomes, reindeer, snowmen and Santa Clauses escort the magnificently decorated sleighs and floats and captivate young and old alike. The highlight of every parade is Santa Claus, who happily waves to the crowd from his reindeer sleigh packed with gifts.
Weisserzauber Christmas market
The “Weisserzauber” Christmas market on the Jungfernstieg with white magic on the Alster. The unique view of the festively lit city center makes this Christmas market, which stretches over the entire Jungfernstieg, directly on the Binnenalster, something special. White pagoda tents instead of the usual wooden stalls, an impressive play of lights, a historic Ferris wheel and a panoramic view of the glittering Alster, offers more than roasted almonds and mulled wine. The Christmas market “Weisserzauber” lures with bright lights, the smell of baked apples and relaxed Christmas melodies. The silver and gold play of colors sparkles even more this year: Thousands of small light bulbs bathe the market with its white pagoda tents in a unique light.
The Christmas market offers a large selection of fine handicrafts, warming accessories such as gloves, hats and scarves, as well as toys, jewellery, porcelain and Christmas decorations. The Weißerzauber Christmas market on the Jungfernstieg also offers high-quality culinary delights. In culinary terms, the “Weißerzauber” offers the entire range of classics, in addition to the popular classics such as cinnamon rolls, eggnog, roasted almonds, delicious waffles, coffee specialties or bratwurst, pasta from the cheese loaf will be available for the first time this year. The Alster fir glistens on the water and the Europa Passage and Alsterhaus are very close by. A ride on the historic Ferris wheel from 1926 offers a wonderful view of the glittering Alster fir, is particularly popular, enjoy the impressive view of the stalls and the Christmas hustle and bustle around the Binnenalster from above.
St. Petri Christmas market
St. Petri Christmas market located In front of Hamburg’s oldest still existing church, a special pre-Christmas hustle and bustle takes place every year. The St. Petri Church is the oldest still existing church in Hamburg and thus offers a beautiful, time-honoured backdrop for the Christmas market. The church and wooden huts are lovingly decorated, and the lighting is atmospheric. The backdrop of which is a special one thanks to the church in the background and dozens of fir trees. Toys, handicrafts and festive decorations can also be purchased at the wooden huts, which are bathed in warm light. St. Petri Christmas market with the fairytale forest with real firs and Poffertjes with Flöff, 250 real fir trees almost make you forget the big city and invite you to take a winter walk in the forest.
A stroll through the Christmas world is worthwhile for young and old. In the wooden huts you will find a large selection of high-quality toys, outstanding handicrafts and festive decorations. There is a large toy train that winds its way around the trees or mini huts that house lovingly designed fairytale worlds. In the fairytale forest, children also encounter imposing giant figures such as an elk, a dancing Santa Claus and a 5 meter high nutcracker. Tempting aromas of hot drinks and dishes such as mulled wine and punch, roasted almonds and bratwurst waft from the gourmet kitchens. Enjoy hot caipirinha, Tuscan pastries and Dutch poffertjes and flöff here. In addition, small hands-on activities take place at the weekends, such as a scavenger hunt, readings or make-up activities for princes and princesses.
Gerhart-Hauptmann-Platz Christmas market
Enjoy the comfort in the winter forest at Gerhart-Hauptmann-Platz Christmas market, with numerous huts give the Christmas market an atmospheric Christmas village aura. Many artisans offer their work here, and there is also a large gastronomic offer. In the nostalgic Christmas village made of old half-timbered stalls, numerous craftsmen show their skills live. It is hammered, carved, chiseled, cast, tinkered, sanded and painted to a real delight. Nostalgic carousel, nativity scene and tall Christmas tree. In addition to the handicrafts, a life-size nativity scene, the nostalgic carousel and the tall Christmas tree are the symbols of the Christmas market. The fir tree is decorated with several thousand candles. In addition to gifts, Christmas delicacies from mulled wine to baked apples are of course also on offer.
Spitalerstrasse Christmas market
Spitalerstrasse Christmas market is a Christmas market of a special kind is presented here between the Hanseatic Gründerzeit architecture. Based on the Hamburg building culture of the storage and office buildings, the sales stands are designed in a traditional Hanseatic brick look and imaginatively illuminated with modern lighting technology. The Christmas market on Spitalerstraße in the midst of classic Hanseatic Gründerzeit architecture and exclusive window displays offers the most beautiful handicrafts and tasteful gifts. In addition, delicacies from roasted almonds to tarte flambée to mulled wine. Numerous artisans offer their small works of art here, restaurateurs spoil the visitors with Christmas delicacies. Large and illuminated Christmas trees round off the Christmas ambience of the Christmas market in an impressive way, and numerous activities get you in the mood for Christmas.
Together with the exclusive shop window decorations of the surrounding shops, the Christmas market on Spitalerstraße becomes a Christmassy shopping mile. The range of goods is balanced, varied and attractive: from arts and crafts to gift items and offers that are typical of the country. There is painting, carving, knitting, sanding and burning everywhere. From gloves to hats, dolls, jewellery, crystals or wooden toys, a wide variety of unusual gifts are presented. Young, creative Hamburg artists and designers also sell innovative products such as Christmas floristry, glass art and stylish Christmas stationery. The Spitalerstraße also smells wonderfully of culinary Christmas classics, of roasted almonds, baked apples, cinnamon stars, chestnuts, bratwurst, Feuerzangenbowle, mulled wine, coffee variations, flamed salmon and crepes.
Lebkuchendorf Christmas market
Lebkuchendorf Christmas market, around the Lessing monument in downtown Hamburg, is an fairytale gingerbread idyllic village of gingerbread houses. Visitors are welcomed by a large gate, beautifully decorated and in the style of gingerbread. Stroll along the gingerbread houses feel like Hansel and Gretel. Handicrafts, high-quality natural cosmetics and organic goods are offered for sale in the little houses. Each cottage is individually and lovingly designed and cosily lit. There are Christmas tree balls with The famous poet Gotthold Ephraim Lessing’s portrait and text panels with quotations. A walk through the traditional market around the Lessing monument is also like a culinary and cultural Christmas fairy tale. Visitors are spoiled with classics such as suckling pig, tarte flambée, bratwurst, lard, roasted almonds, gingerbread, punch and mulled wine. There is also goose on a skewer with dumplings and red cabbage. Visitors can look forward to handicrafts and delicacies from mulled wine to roasted almonds.
Santa Pauli Christmas market
Santa Pauli Christmas market conventional Christmas tradition and frivolous neighborhood life are combined, this Hamburg’s hottest Christmas market combines classic Christmas ambience and crackling eroticism. At the stands in between, visitors will find everything a Christmas heart desires. The market in the heart of St. Pauli attracts with live music and hot performances on the show stage for five weeks. The winter deck on the stage in front of the Operettenhaus is a special highlight in Santa Pauli every year. A cozy fireplace lounge and flying Christmas trees invite you to linger. Hot cocktail creations and the best apple mulled wine, such as the “Bornsteinschwalbe” or the “Nutcracker” heat up the visitors from the inside out. As a special attraction, Santa’s mulled wine pharmacy also offers mulled wine on prescription this year: In the pharmacy, visitors can create their own mulled wine according to their taste. The basis is formed by high-quality white and red wines from the Palatinate.
Fleetinsel Christmas market
The proximity to the port and the connection to the Alster ensure maritime flair at the Christmas market on the Fleetinsel. The Christmas market on the Fleetinsel is idyllically situated between the Alster and the Elbe. The proximity to the canal and port and the direct connection to the Alster give the market its very own maritime flair. Two vintage sailboats, coming from the museum harbor in Oevelgönne and gleaming in the Christmas lights, provide an additional maritime touch. Mulled wine and delicious Christmas specialties are offered here. Stands with beautiful gifts also invite you to stroll around.
HafenCity Christmas market
In HafenCity there is a Christmas market in the midst of modern architecture, the Überseeboulevard shines in colorful light. The opening show offers music, dance and acrobatics on the market square of Überseeboulevard. Every day from 12 p.m. you can enjoy delicious delicacies and hot drinks at the Christmas market. The winter golf course also opens every day on the festively illuminated and wonderfully fragrant market. HafenCity is filled with the scent of mulled wine, crêpes and grilled specialties. From December 1st, the Advent calendar will provide numerous surprises, with another little door being opened by the Christmas angels every day at 6 p.m. Nutcrackers, snowmen, gingerbread men and ice floes with penguins are obstacles and targets on the tracks.
Ottensen Christmas market
The Ottensen Christmas market with more than 50 lovingly designed huts is considered one of the most authentic markets in Hamburg, with 1000 and one gift ideas, handicrafts and culinary delights from all over the world. The Colorful and diverse Ottensen Christmas market attracts with arts and crafts, delicacies, mulled wine and a varied family program, offers colorful and varied. Festive lights, poinsettias, decorated Christmas trees and loving decorations conjure up a festive flair in the quarter. The Christmas village stretches from Altona train station along the Mercado shopping center to Spritzenplatz. A particularly large number of stands with Christmas gifts and atmospheric decoration this year: The offer ranges from homemade nougat and marzipan to handmade ceramics and kaleidoscopes to wonderful luminous stars and plantable calendars made of seed paper.
St George Christmas market
St George Christmas market is the largest gay and lesbian Christmas market in northern Germany. When Winter Pride opens its pink-red gates, the cozy atmosphere, mulled wine, punch, the scent of almonds and hot cheeks, and especially the entertaining stage program with music and entertainment. Clubs and groups from the lesbian and gay community present themselves at Winter Pride in a befitting manner. A separate show stage creates a great atmosphere with a colorful program on the weekends. On Friday and Saturday evenings, scene DJs contribute to the usual informal atmosphere with varied sets.
Hamburg North district
Eppendorf Christmas market
Eppendorf is one of the smallest and most charming Christmas markets in Hamburg. The family-friendly Christmas stroll in Eppendorf on Marie-Jones-Platz in the center of Eppendorf has a varied program and all kinds of delicacies for adults and children. Especially for families, the Christmas stroll is an ideal starting point. The central meeting point is the cozy punch hut. At the heart of the action is the cozy “Glühwurm” punch hut, where you can meet up for apple punch with almonds, Gløgg, cherry punch or hot chocolate, of course, as well as for classic mulled wine, organic Bodden punch or mulled beer.
Barmbek Christmas market
Christmas market in Barmbek located on the Piazzeta-Ralph-Giordano between the Barmbek train station and the Drosselstraße, a village of huts enchants the quarter. It sparkles, smells and sizzles in the hut village of the Barmbeker Christmas market on the Piazzeta-Ralph-Giordano. There are mulled wine specialties, many delicacies and a cultural program. Visitors can look forward to mulled wine specialties and delicious bratwurst, and the Christmas bakery conjures up crêpes and freshly roasted almonds. The nostalgic children’s carousel will delight the little visitors. There are also theater performances for children in the cultural barn, as well as a varied program with live music.
St. Mark Christmas market
The Christmas market on the church square in St. Markus is a cozy alternative to the large tourist Christmas markets in the city of Hamburg. Here residents and friends of the quarter will find above all regional products, fairly produced goods and many activities with and for children. In addition, numerous charitable campaigns and institutions will be supported. There are regional and fairly produced products as well as music, a children’s program and charity campaigns.
Eimsbüttel, Wandsbek and Harburg districts
Niendorf Tibarg Christmas market
The large Christmas market on the Tibarg invites you to a hygge world of experience in Nordic ambience. Stroll around a festively decorated Christmas tree and enjoy the Nordic atmosphere. With the many small wooden houses, mostly in Swedish red, the large, warmly glowing tipi tents, the fir tree decorations , small lights, as well as mulled wine, chocolate, handmade accessories and much more, a “hyggelic” attitude to life is ensured at the Nordic Christmas market. There are treats and crafts, childcare in the craft tipi, and a tipi lounge for adults.
Rustic wooden huts and large Nordic tipi tents are lined up around the large Christmas tree, which is illuminated from afar with countless lights. The “Tibarg Center Tipi-Lounge” is the central meeting place for cozy evenings in large groups with family or work colleagues. The fresh woodchips on the floor ensure that visitors’ feet stay dry and warm. In the small wooden huts in the pedestrian zone, artisans also present minerals, jewelry, scarves, handmade soaps, socks, jewelry or even bags, original Moravian stars and other Christmas decorations.
Apostelkirche Christmas market
The Christmas market at the Apostelkirche is a cozy little Christmas village in the middle of Eimsbüttel. The small, cozy Christmas village is built on the forecourt of the beautiful Apostle Church. The beautiful premises of the Apostle Church are also used for the market. Here, local artists and exhibitors invite you to a leisurely pre-Christmas stroll. In addition to all kinds of handicrafts, there is a varied music program with concerts for children and adults as well as interesting readings and performances in the Apostelkirche. The market offers an individual children’s program as well as numerous concerts and readings for children.
Eimsbüttel Christmas market
Eimsbüttel Christmas market is a small Scandinavian winter village in the heart of Eimsbüttel stands for a sophisticated cultural and children’s program. The central mulled wine stand is called Muggelbude, and there is about the coziness of the Christmas market on Osterstraße. A Christmas village made up of Scandinavian Christmas houses, lots of candles, bright lights, and a cozy campfire ensure Hygge comfort. The covered lounge also contributes to this. The small winter village is home to two mulled wine stands with a wide range of hot drinks, including non-alcoholic ones. The operators of the food stalls stand for a diverse range from potato pancakes to currywurst. This year, the Christmas market is focusing on sustainability and switching to reusable tableware. The Christmas market is also using reusable crockery with the help of a converted cargo bike that can be used as a dishwashing bar.
Grindel Christmas market
The relatively small Christgrindelmarkt is a cultural Christmas market with a heart. Christmas market in the university district complements the cultural diversity of the district with charm and colorful offers, a meeting point for all families, friends and work colleagues who want to enjoy the Advent season in comfort. Small artists, musicians and actors on stage, puppeteers, storytellers and elf workshops for the little ones, Christmas specialties for everyone. Delicious Christmas specialties and comfortable seating invite you to linger.
Wandsbeker Christmas market
The Wandsbeker Winter Magic offers pure ice skating fun in a romantic Christmas market atmosphere. The Wandsbek market square will present itself again as a romantic winter village with rustic alpine huts and a great ice rink. Almost 50 days before Christmas, Hamburg’s first winter village heralds the mulled wine season. The winter magic is popular, around 120,000 visitors come to Wandsbek every year. The highlight of the Wandsbeker winter magic is the 400 square meter “Like-Ice-Rail”, which is magnificently illuminated by thousands of LED lights from a gallery of trees. Disco music sounds daily from 12 noon to 10 p.m., so great ice skating fun is guaranteed. After ice skating, visitors can fortify themselves in a romantic winter village with delicious delicacies from bratwurst to lard pastries and hearty drinks. The large alpine hut with an open fireplace offers a cozy Alpine atmosphere. Also worth seeing is the large panoramic terrace, from which you can enjoy an enchanting view of the ice rink and the winter village.
Harburg Christmas market
The Harburg Christmas market sets the mood for the most magical time of the year. The historic building of the baroque town hall forms the atmospheric setting for the lovingly decorated stalls where delicious, beautiful and useful things are offered for sale. The traditional Christmas market in front of the illuminated town hall attracts with many special offers, delicacies, a large children’s program and fireworks. The Christmas market is a good address when it comes to finding beautiful and unusual gifts. A colorful mix of jewellery, glass art, chic clothes and handmade leather bags invites you to stroll through the market and be inspired. There is also mulled wine and punch are offered, as well as almonds, cotton candy, freshly made lard and salty treats in many variations. The palette ranges from pea soup and sausages to Burgundy ham and crêpes. In addition to the carousel and sweet treats, there is a special action almost every day, especially for the children.
Bergedorf and Norderstedt
Bergedorf Christmas market
The Bergedorf Christmas market in front of the castle is considered one of the most beautiful markets in Hamburg. For the first time, the Christmas market is transformed into a Scandinavian Christmas village with red wooden huts. On the weekends, cabaret is performed in the castle, there are also Advent carols and a large nativity play. A charming highlight of the Christmas market is Villa Kunterbunt, which many children will know from Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking books. Villa Kunterbunt hides in the middle of a fir forest, inside it is warm and cozy because there is a fireplace. There are many toys available for entertainment, and the children can also do handicrafts and baking or enjoy sweet candy canes. A visit to Santa Claus is also possible at the Bergedorf Christmas market. Children can read their wish lists to him and have their picture taken with Santa Claus. The Christmas market is also based on Scandinavia in terms of culinary delights, crispbread, tarte flambée or baked apple glögg, and the classic mulled wine and bratwurst.
Small Christmas markets
In addition to the large Hamburg Christmas markets, there are smaller Advent markets and Advent fairs that are often cozier and have more charm. There are gifts, handicrafts, music, hands-on activities and culinary delights. Program included: Light up the Christmas tree, inaugurate the nativity scene, animal Christmas, many delicacies, children’s carousel, reading aloud, Christmas tree sales.