Bavaria’s Christmas markets are popular and offer much more than bratwurst and gingerbread! Here are ten particularly beautiful tips for fans of Advent, nativity scenes, and mulled wine.
The choice of Christmas markets in Bavaria is overwhelming: In the state capital Munich alone, there are over ten Christmas markets ranging from eccentric ones like those at the „Alte Utting“ or Bahnwärter Thiel to traditional ones at Weißenburger Platz in Haidhausen and Wittelsbacher Platz.
World-famous is the Christmas market in the Franconian metropolis: The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt was first mentioned in 1628, but its roots go back to Luther’s time. It was then that the tradition of giving gifts to children began in Germany. Today, the 180 stalls decorated with red-and-white cloths offer handcrafted Christmas decorations, hearty food, gingerbread, and mulled wine.
Christmas Markets in Bavaria / Tip 1: Nuremberg
🎄The enchanting atmosphere of Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt in the heart of the Old Town sets the perfect mood for the holiday season. Dating back to the mid-16th century, this is one of Germany’s oldest and most famous Christmas markets, attracting over two million visitors annually from around the globe.
A highlight for families is the children’s Christmas at Hans-Sachs-Platz, featuring a miniature railway and interactive craft stalls where little ones can create their own festive treasures. The Christkind—a golden-haired angel traditionally portrayed by a local young woman chosen every two years—visits every Tuesday through Friday at 2:30 p.m., inviting children to ride the enchanting multi-story carousel before meeting admirers at the main market at 3 p.m.
The market officially opens with the Christkind’s famous prologue, delivered from the balcony of the Church of Our Lady, a cherished tradition that has captivated audiences for decades. Don’t miss the chance to sample Nuremberg’s iconic Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and Glühwein (mulled wine) while browsing the red-and-white striped stalls that give the market its distinctive appearance.
Insider tip: Visit on a weekday afternoon to avoid the weekend crowds, and be sure to explore the nearby Sternenhaus (Star House) for unique handcrafted ornaments and traditional wooden toys that make perfect souvenirs.
November 28–December 24, 2025
christkindlesmarkt.de
tourismus.nuernberg.de/en
Christmas Markets in Bavaria / Tip 2: Chinese Tower, Munich
🎄The ultra-romantic Christmas market at the Chinese Tower takes place in the heart of the famous English Garden around the historic pagoda. Wooden stalls feature arts and crafts, and of course stands with delicacies like Auszogne (fried pastries), waffles, pancakes, fried chicken, burgers, or vegan mushroom goulash, as well as mulled wine and punch.
The „Ochsenbraterei“ hut has a special offering: ox bratwurst, ox meatballs, and ox rolls „to go.“ Environmental bonus: The meat comes only from the ox stables of the Municipal Farm Karlshof and from regional organic ox farmers.
The ice stock shooting lanes provide traditional winter fun. Two 18-meter-long lanes can accommodate up to ten people each. The nostalgic wooden carousel for children, carriage rides, the tower musicians with their music, and of course Santa’s visit create a festive atmosphere during Advent for the whole family. The Christmas market at the Chinese Tower can be reached via U3/U5 Giselastraße, bus lines 54, 68, and 154.
November 20 to December 23, 2025
Christmas Markets in Bavaria / Tip 3: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
🎄The festively decorated medieval lanes make the Reiterlesmarkt in Rothenburg ob der Tauber an experience. Between Marktplatz, Grüner Markt, and Kirchplatz, as well as in the atrium at the town hall, over 60 stalls await with culinary delights and mulled wine as well as plenty of handicrafts.
A highlight is the appearance of the Rothenburg Reiterle, a mythical figure from pre-Christian times.
At the Christmas Museum by Käthe Wohlfahrt, you can learn more about Advent traditions and Christmas customs. There are also brass and church concerts, guided tours through the old town, and the nativity scene exhibition! Since the 15th century, Rothenburg has celebrated the festive Advent season with a beautiful Christmas market.
November 21 to December 23, 2025
Christmas Markets in Bavaria / Tip 4: Coburg
🎄Pure Christmas atmosphere awaits at Coburg’s romantic market square! Between the historic town hall and the old ducal chancellery, merchants‘ stalls are full of pine greenery, glittering lights, and Christmas figures. Around the Prince Albert Monument, mulled wine, punch, sweets, and especially the Coburg bratwurst, grilled over dried pine cones, ensure full stomachs.
For little ones, there’s a nostalgic children’s carousel, and on Sundays, the Christ Child even visits and distributes gifts. In the evening hours, artists, choirs, and bands provide musical entertainment. Prince Albert, the Coburg husband of Queen Victoria, who in turn was the great-great-grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II, is said to have popularized the tradition of the Christmas tree and Christmas ornaments in Great Britain after his marriage.
November 28 to December 23, 2025
coburger-weihnachtsland.de (German)
Christmas Markets in Bavaria / Tip 5: Dinkelsbühl
🎄 Dinkelsbühl’s medieval old town is a highlight. With many towers and narrow lanes, it’s one of the most beautiful in southern Germany. Every year, the Christmas market with its nearly 50 stalls attracts around 50,000 visitors. Under the motto „Come, Little Children,“ visitors are invited to the city park around the music pavilion and the Old Bauhof. The city commemorates its once-famous son Christoph von Schmid, who wrote the lyrics to „Come, Little Children.“
In addition to the small stall village, there’s a bazaar in the hospital building with handicrafts and exclusive handmade items from the region. Here you’ll find unique pieces made of wood, clay, paper, fabric, and felt, and much more. You’re sure to find the perfect gift here.
A bell caster who casts bells on-site with individual inscriptions and motifs provides variety, along with the daily stage program. The opening hours are great: The stalls are open Monday to Friday from 1 PM to 8 PM, and on weekends from 11 AM to 8 PM.
November 24 to December 22, 2025
Christmas Markets in Bavaria / Tip 6: Regensburg
🎄 The Danube city offers four old town Christmas markets. The oldest Christmas market in Regensburg is the Christkindlmarkt on Neupfarrplatz. Newer is the Lucreziamarkt on Haidplatz and Kohlenmarkt, where Regensburg artisans showcase their skills. On a walk, also with a guide, along the Ecumenical Nativity Trail, there are fascinating depictions of the Christmas story to see, ranging from historical to contemporary and from Bavarian to African.
The Romantic Christmas Market is a paid Christmas market at the St. Emmeram Castle of the Thurn and Taxis family. The castle facade glows from the reflection of many candles, lanterns, and torches.
Fun is also offered on the water: Advent cruises on the Danube with punch, stollen & Co., and the world-famous Regensburg Cathedral Choir performs concerts in the cathedral.
November 24 to December 23, 2025
Christmas Markets in Bavaria / Tip 7: Passau & Vilshofen
🎄Spot 7 on our list of Christmas markets in Bavaria is shared by two beautiful cities on the Danube. Right in front of the majestic St. Stephan Cathedral, visitors to the Passau Christkindlmarkt can expect a festive stall village and the aroma of gingerbread, mulled wine, and bratwurst. On many days, there’s folk music with zither and dulcimer or polyphonic choral singing on a stage, but also jazz or pop music.
During the Christmas market, concerts are held in the cathedral on the world’s largest cathedral organ, which is still being renovated until 2026. Along a route through the old town, nativity scenes are displayed, from traditional to contemporary.
22 kilometers upstream in Vilshofen awaits the „Floating Christmas Market“: There, during the first three Advent weekends, artists and vendors showcase their crafts on the Vilshofen Danube promenade and on a passenger ship. Special highlights include the „World’s Largest Board Nativity Scene,“ an enchanted forest, the nine-meter-high mulled wine pyramid, and the Christmas tree with 1,500 ornaments.
Passau: November 25 to December 22, 2025
Vilshofen: November 28-30 / December 5-7 / December 12-14 / December 19-21, 2025
passauer-christkindlmarkt.de
passauer-land.de (German)
Christmas Markets in Bavaria / Tip 8: Christmas at Tegernsee
🎄 Christmas atmosphere with plenty of romance awaits during the four Advent weekends at lake Tegernsee. Alphorn players create special moments, as do the Perchten – Alpine legendary figures – or a romantic, cozy carriage ride. In the spa park in Rottach-Egern, there’s an Advent mood, and in Tegernsee, you’ll find Christmas stalls in front of the palace church.
A special experience is the Christmas market hopping by boat, where you can admire the brilliantly lit backdrops. The Tegernsee shipping company boats run clockwise every 30 minutes from Tegernsee via Rottach to Bad Wiessee.
Tours following in the footsteps of local poets through the town of Tegernsee (the Bavarian regional writer Ludwig Thoma completed his work „Holy Night“ here) with history and stories are another tip: With the local guides, you’ll visit Tegernsee Palace, the former abbey church, and walk through the historic Rosenstraße.
November 29 to December 21
tegernsee.com/en/christmasmarket
Christmas Markets in Bavaria / Tip 9: Bad Tölz
🎄 Number 9 on our list of Christmas markets in Bavaria is Bad Tölz. In the famous Tölz market street, lined with historic facades, the scent of freshly roasted chestnuts fills the air. Craftspeople and artists present wood carvings and ceramics, hand-dipped candles, but also original Bavarian musical instruments and traditional Christmas decorations in the 40 atmospherically lit stalls.
From 4 PM, the Christ Child post office is open on the stage at the Winzerer Monument.
On December 7, fearsome fellows in shaggy fur and wild masks wreak havoc in the market street. They revive the centuries-old tradition of the Krampus run. With their bells, they make a terrible racket and provide a spooky but harmless thrill for young and old alike.
Participants in the Krampus run include Strawanza Pass, Luitpold Pass, Stoawandl Pass, Oaringer Krampein, and the Hattinger Tuifl. This year, the city museum team is once again inviting visitors to a creative and contemplative program in the museum education workshop. The program includes activities such as wreath-making and building your own small nativity scene.
November 28 to 2 PM on December 24, 2025
Christmas Markets in Bavaria / Tip 10: Castle Christmas in Burghausen
🎄 Chivalrous Christmas moments and contemplative experiences behind the imposing walls of the world’s longest castle await at the Castle Christmas. In the main castle and at the armory square, you can buy Christmas tree decorations, nativity figures, handmade items from wood, clay, leather, felt, and sheepskin, as well as jewelry.
Of course, culinary needs are also catered to. Songs create a Christmas atmosphere, the „light lighter“ tells stories about the Christmas season, and for the little ones, there are fairy tales with shadow plays as well as a fire show and a stilt-walking act. In the Elisabeth Chapel, there are concerts as well as a worship service.
November 28-30 and December 5-7, 2025
visit-burghausen.com (German)
