Overview
- Major city markets in Munich, Münster, Ulm and Essen are in full swing through late December, with daily schedules set and key events clustered around the third and fourth Advent weekends.
- Extended opening times cater to evening visitors, including Augsburg’s Christkindlesmarkt until 21:30 on Fridays and Saturdays, Neu-Ulm’s medieval market to 21:30/22:00, and Rain’s Schlossweihnacht operating until 22:00 on its four-day run.
- Essen foregrounds sustainability with green power from E.ON, reusable cups and plates, and a plastics ban, earning a “Best Sustainable Christmas Market in Europe” nod from European Best Destinations.
- Special programming ranges from Essen’s WDR 2 “Weihnachtswunder” (Dec 13–17) and the interactive Glühwein-Krimi to family-centred offerings such as Weilburg’s Princess Henriette storytelling, Ulm’s daily stage acts and Ingolstadt’s children’s activities.
- Community-led markets report momentum, with Wörth’s Dec 13 event expanding to 39 stalls and waiving fees for vendors, and Mülheim’s Altstadt market logging strong attendance and positive feedback at its new Petribrunnen location.