The best Christmas markets in Bavaria

Steaming mulled wine or punch, festive decorations, delicious gingerbread and thousands of sparkling lights: Christmas markets bring all these pleasures together. We present some of the best Christmas markets in Bavaria, all easy to reach by rail. And mulled wine tastes even better when you know that you can simply board the train again for your journey home.

Important information before your visit: Check the respective Christmas market websites for current opening hours. Some markets are closed on Totensonntag, the Protestant Sunday of Remembrance, which falls on 22 November 2026. You should also check your connection in DB Navigator before setting off, as timetables and engineering-related disruptions can change at short notice.

Regensburg

Discover the Christmas markets in Regensburg’s Old Town, illuminated by thousands of festive lights.

Nearest station: Regensburg Hauptbahnhof

🌟 Christmas market at Thurn und Taxis Palace

Where? In front of St Emmeram Palace

When? From 20 November to 23 December 2026; Monday to Thursday from 3 pm to 9 pm, Friday from 3 pm to 10 pm, Saturday from 2 pm to 10 pm and Sunday from 2 pm to 9 pm. The market is closed on Sunday, 22 November.

Regensburg has many atmospheric Christmas markets spread across the city. One of them is the Romantic Christmas Market at Thurn und Taxis Palace. Thousands of lights illuminate the festivities against the impressive backdrop of St Emmeram Palace. Traditional wooden stalls, open fires and handcrafted products quickly create a festive atmosphere. Please note that an admission fee applies.

🌟 Advent market at St Katharinenspital

Where? On the Spitalanger at St Katharinenspital

When? The organiser has not yet published the complete dates and opening hours for 2026.

The Advent market at St Katharinenspital, at the foot of the Stone Bridge, is also worth visiting. Alongside traditional festive treats, you can enjoy views across the Danube towards Regensburg Cathedral. Christmas lights and a varied programme of music and cultural performances add to the atmosphere.

Try one of the seasonal specialities, such as Spital mulled beer, and browse the individually designed stalls for gift ideas. The small market is powered entirely by green electricity.

🌟 Lucrezia Market

Where? On Haidplatz and Kohlenmarkt

When? From 27 November to 23 December 2026; Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 8 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm. The market closes at 7 pm on 15 and 23 December.

The Lucrezia Market is an excellent destination for fans of arts and crafts. Located in the heart of Regensburg’s Old Town, the market was first held in 1982 and is known far beyond the city for its varied, independently designed and handmade products.

From candles and sculptures to jewellery made from silver, gold and precious stones, the decorated stalls offer distinctive gifts. The food selection includes organic, vegan and vegetarian options, while an accompanying cultural programme provides entertainment.

Rail travel information for 2026: The railway between Obertraubling and Passau is closed to passenger services until 12 December 2026. Travellers arriving from the direction of Passau should allow extra time and expect replacement bus services. Check your connection in DB Navigator before travelling.

Munich

Munich’s festive variety ranges from a Christmas village and a major winter festival to the colourful Pink Christmas.

Nearest station: München Hauptbahnhof

Numerous large and small Christmas markets take place across the Bavarian capital during Advent. These four demonstrate the different ways in which Munich celebrates the festive season.

🌟 Christmas Village at the Residenz

Where? In the Kaiserhof courtyard of the Munich Residenz, near Odeonsplatz

When? From 16 November to 22 December 2026, daily from 11 am to 9 pm. The Christmas Village is closed on 22 November. On 22 December, it is open from 11 am to 8 pm.

The Christmas Village at the Residenz creates a fairytale atmosphere in the Kaiserhof courtyard. The stalls are arranged like a small farming village, while a large Christmas pyramid with moving figures rises above the market.

A life-sized Nativity scene and a fairytale forest with talking figures make the market particularly appealing to families. Admission is free.

🌟 Tollwood Winter Festival

Where? On Theresienwiese

When? From 24 November to 23 December 2026, with an additional New Year’s Eve party on 31 December.

The Tollwood Winter Festival on Theresienwiese is a larger cultural and environmental festival. Its festively decorated “Market of Ideas” combines international crafts with certified organic food, live music, performances and walkabout acts. Many activities on the festival grounds are free.

In 2026, the festival’s artistic programme is entitled “Made to move you”. Three international circus and dance productions are presented in the Grand Chapiteau. Between the sparkling lights and seasonal aromas, you can also browse sustainable and fair-trade Christmas gifts.

🌟 Pink Christmas

Where? On Stephansplatz, near Sendlinger Tor

When? From 20 November to 20 December 2026; Monday to Friday from 4 pm to 10 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 2 pm to 10 pm.

Pink Christmas brings colour to Stephansplatz. Organised by Munich’s queer community, the market welcomes all visitors. Elegantly illuminated pagoda tents replace the traditional wooden stalls.

Music and changing performances provide entertainment on the small stage. In the evenings, a DJ plays an upbeat Christmas mix. Pink Christmas is therefore both a festive market and an open meeting place celebrating diversity and visibility.

🌟 Winterrausch at the Hexenhaus

Where? At the Gans Woanders cultural café, Pilgersheimer Strasse 13, 81543 Munich

When? From 12 November to 23 December 2026; Monday to Thursday from 2 pm to 11 pm, Friday from 2 pm to midnight, Saturday from noon to midnight and Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm. The craft market is closed on the German National Day of Mourning, the Day of Prayer and Repentance and Totensonntag.

Celebrate Advent in a particularly imaginative setting. Winterrausch takes place inside and around the winding wooden Hexenhaus at the Gans Woanders cultural café. A changing cultural programme brings music, workshops, readings and other performances to the stage.

Craftspeople present a changing selection of preferably regional and sustainable products. Enjoy mulled wine, Christmas biscuits and other winter treats among fire bowls, wooden terraces and cosy seating areas. Admission is free.

Nuremberg

Visit the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt and try Feuerzangenbowle near the Fleischbrücke.

Nearest station: Nürnberg Hauptbahnhof

🌟 Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt

Where? On Hauptmarkt and at other locations in Nuremberg’s Old Town

When? From 27 November to 24 December 2026, daily from 10 am to 9 pm. On Christmas Eve, the market is open from 10 am to 2 pm.

For many people, visiting the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is an essential part of Advent. Wander through the “little town of wood and cloth”, stroll between the red-and-white stalls and enjoy the festive atmosphere. A Nuremberg sausage sandwich here, a gingerbread biscuit there: the Christmas city offers many delicious reasons to move from stall to stall.

Families can visit the Children’s Christmas Market on Hans-Sachs-Platz, where nostalgic carousels, a small steam railway and creative activity stalls await younger visitors. The festive programme also includes the Market of the Sister Cities, the Sternenhaus and other events across the Old Town.

Finish your visit with a cup of Nuremberg Feuerzangenbowle near the Fleischbrücke. This hot punch is prepared in a specially made cauldron and provides welcome warmth against the historic city backdrop.

Ingolstadt

Experience the festive atmosphere in Ingolstadt’s Old Town.

Nearest station: Ingolstadt Hauptbahnhof

🌟 Ingolstadt Christmas Market

Where? On the square in front of the theatre in central Ingolstadt

When? From 25 November to 23 December 2026. The complete opening hours for 2026 have not yet been published.

The Ingolstadt Christmas Market is one of Bavaria’s long-established festive markets. Its history dates back to 1570. Decorated wooden stalls fill the air with the aromas of baked apples, roasted almonds and mulled wine.

A craft market near the New Castle complements the festive attractions. From 20 November to 20 December 2026, artists and craftspeople present their handmade products there from Friday to Sunday on the Advent weekends.

Further seasonal attractions can be discovered throughout the city centre. This makes it easy to combine the Christmas market with a walk around Ingolstadt’s historic Old Town.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

During Advent, Rothenburg ob der Tauber becomes a festively illuminated Christmas town.

Nearest station: Rothenburg ob der Tauber

🌟 Rothenburg Reiterlesmarkt

Where? On Marktplatz, Grüner Markt and Kirchplatz in the Old Town

When? From 20 November to 23 December 2026; Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 7 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm. The market is closed on Sunday, 22 November.

The best-known Christmas market in Rothenburg is the Reiterlesmarkt in the historic centre. Franconian Christmas specialities and products made by regional craftspeople await you around Marktplatz, Grüner Markt and Kirchplatz. The decorated stalls sell items such as ornaments, textiles and handcrafted gifts.

Rothenburg’s Fairytale Magic event takes place from 30 October to 19 November 2026 and therefore ends before the Reiterlesmarkt begins. During the Christmas market, you can instead explore festive traditions at the German Christmas Museum in Herrngasse, which is open throughout the year.

The exhibition provides insights into historic Christmas decorations, festive customs and the development of familiar Christmas figures.

Bad Wörishofen

Spend peaceful hours at the Christmas market in Bavaria’s famous Kneipp spa town.

Nearest station: Bad Wörishofen

🌟 Bad Wörishofen Christmas Market

Where? Inside and around the Kurhaus

When? On 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 and 20 December 2026, from 1 pm to 8 pm.

Bad Wörishofen is illuminated by festive lights during Advent. Its traditional Christmas market takes place inside and around the Kurhaus and is popular with both spa guests and local residents. Lovingly decorated stalls and concerts by local bands and music groups create a welcoming atmosphere.

Another seasonal attraction is the Bad Wörishofen Nativity Trail. From 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, it leads to 13 selected Nativity scenes in the town centre. These range from delicate drawings and a Playmobil Nativity scene to life-sized wooden figures and a display in the Wörthbach stream.

Lindau

Experience Christmas magic on the shores of Lake Constance.

Nearest station: Lindau-Insel

🌟 Lindau Harbour Christmas Market

Where? Along Lindau’s harbour promenade

When? From 26 November to 20 December 2026, Thursday to Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm.

The Lindau Harbour Christmas Market owes much of its atmosphere to its location beside the water. While enjoying mulled wine, you can look across Lake Constance towards the surrounding mountains. When the festive lights are reflected on the lake, the harbour becomes particularly atmospheric.

The market follows the principle of quality rather than quantity. Fair-trade goods and regional products make shopping for Christmas presents a relaxed experience. A fairytale forest and an accompanying entertainment programme add to the festive attractions along the promenade.

The nearby Zeughausmarkt is traditionally held on the first Advent weekend. Its dates for 2026 have not yet been officially published and should only be added once they have been confirmed.

Augsburg

Experience the festive atmosphere around Rathausplatz and see the Augsburg Angels’ Performance.

Nearest station: Augsburg Hauptbahnhof

🌟 Augsburg Christkindlesmarkt

Where? On Rathausplatz and at other locations in Augsburg city centre

When? From 23 November to 24 December 2026. On the opening day, the market is open from 6 pm to 9:30 pm. From Sunday to Thursday, it opens from 10 am to 8 pm, and on Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 9:30 pm. On 23 December, it is open from 10 am to 9:30 pm and on Christmas Eve from 10 am to 2 pm.

The Augsburg Christkindlesmarkt is one of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets. Its history dates back to the 15th century. The illuminated stalls extend across Rathausplatz, Martin-Luther-Platz, Philippine-Welser-Strasse, parts of Maximilianstrasse and the area in front of St Moritz Church.

A distinctive feature is the Augsburg Angels’ Performance. During the performance, the Renaissance town hall resembles a giant Advent calendar as angels appear in its windows and above the main entrance. Families can also combine the market with the Augsburg Fairytale Trail.

Bad Kissingen

Bad Kissingen’s town centre shines with festive lights during the Christmas season.

Nearest station: Bad Kissingen

🌟 Bad Kissingen Lichterglanz

Where? On the market square and in Bad Kissingen town centre

When? From 24 November to 27 December 2026; Sunday to Wednesday from 11 am to 8 pm, Thursday to Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm. On Christmas Eve, the market is open from 10 am to 2 pm. On Christmas Day and Boxing Day, it opens from noon to 9 pm.

The Bad Kissingen Lichterglanz offers treats for both the eyes and the palate. True to its name, the market square and pedestrian area of this UNESCO World Heritage spa town glow with festive lights. Stroll through the decorated centre, sample the food at the market stalls or browse the craft huts for gifts.

Around the Old Town Hall, the selection includes wood-fired bread, tarte flambée and crêpes. A children’s carousel and an accompanying programme of music and entertainment add to the Christmas atmosphere.

Rail travel information for 2026: Due to extensive vegetation work, the Gemünden–Bad Kissingen railway is closed until 26 November. The Bad Kissingen–Ebenhausen section is also closed from 23 October until 26 November. Replacement buses are operating, which means that the first three days of the Christmas market are affected. Allow extra time and check your connection in DB Navigator before travelling.

Würzburg

Enjoy the Christmas atmosphere in front of the Falkenhaus and the Gothic Marienkapelle.

Nearest station: Würzburg Hauptbahnhof

🌟 Würzburg Christmas Market

Where? On the upper and lower market squares and along Eichhornstrasse

When? From 27 November to 23 December 2026; Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 8:30 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 8:30 pm.

The historic backdrop of the Falkenhaus, the Gothic Marienkapelle and the market square creates an atmospheric setting for the Würzburg Christmas Market. During Advent, the city centre is bathed in warm festive light.

Around 100 stalls offer traditional Christmas treats and hot drinks alongside Nativity figures, pottery, textiles, spices, wooden crafts and other gift ideas. On selected Advent weekends, an artists’ Christmas market in the town hall courtyard adds to the selection.