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Christmas markets

Hello Everyone-
We are planning a trip in mid-late November to Germany in the Munich area. We are wondering when do the Christmas markets start? Which ones open the earliest? We are willing to do some train travel to get to them.
Thanks ahead of time,
Dan

Posted by
3985 posts

The first day of Advent which this year will be the first weekend in December. The markets are really Advent markets as they close December 24.

Posted by
18 posts

Hi Dan,

What Continental says is true, though most German Christmas markets will start a bit earlier, probably around the 25th of November.

I can definitely recommend the Christmas markets in Munich, Nurnberg, and Salzburg. From Munich Central Station there's lots of trains going there.

Posted by
1275 posts

The Advent weekends are religiously important in Bayern und Tiroler Österreich as some markets are only open that weekend or Sunday. You can visit the large markets, but the ones that are unique are smaller. These can be hard to find. Some were great as a small local market but got quickly overwhelmed with bus tours etc. and after a few years closed. Consider calling the tourist office near where you want to stay for Weihnachtsmarkt recommendations. Support the local county.

Posted by
704 posts

We did a Christmas Market trip in 2021, and the earliest we found was November 17th (that was Bonn, FYI). I do suspect Munich/Bavaria might be a little more traditional, i.e. later. but you never know. As others have suggested, monitor websites, write local tourist offices, and see if anyone is getting out ahead of everyone else.

Posted by
2898 posts

You may want to visit and stay in Innsbruck also. Probably our favorites during the Advent Markets. This year most opened on Nov. 15. Some others on the 25th. That’s was in 2022.

Posted by
556 posts

To really enjoy Christmas Markets in and around Munich December would be the better choice.

Posted by
86 posts

Thanks everyone-
I forgot to mention that a business obligation puts us in Germany from November 13 - 17th. We planned on travelling the week after and probably departing on the 25th for home. We have done a couple of markets in the past and were hoping we could catch a couple before we leave. We will keep an eye open for dates. If you see any that fall in that time frame, please let us know. Thanks!

Posted by
8934 posts

A lot of markets opened this year all over Germany around the 21st. There were a few that opened earlier, but most were closed on the 20th, because of the religious holiday. So check that for next year. Any town you want to visit usually has their markets listed. It might be a bit early right now, cause it is Jan. but soon. Do not trust the conglomerate websites, they are consistently wrong. Check the city websites.

Posted by
86 posts

Ms Jo- What holiday are you talking about?

Posted by
704 posts

Totensonntag (Sunday of the Dead) is a Protestant religious holiday in Germany and Switzerland. In 2023 it is Sunday, November 26th, and yes, we encountered the same thing on our Christmas market trip -- all the Christmas markets that had opened by then were closed that day (November 21st that year).