If you want to capture the magic of the holidays, it is time to plan a trip to visit some of Germany’s most charming Christmas Markets. While the big cities like Munich, Cologne, and Nuremberg get a lot of attention, it is in the smaller towns and cities where you can find the more authentic German Christmas Market experience. Luckily, there are many Christmas Markets near Frankfurt that you can visit in a day trip while using the city as your home base.
With so many direct flights from around the world, Frankfurt makes an ideal hub for visiting Germany and exploring some of the smaller markets in the Hesse region by taking day trips by train or car. This region is known for villages lined with half-timbered houses that create a fairytale setting for a German Christmas experience.
Each of these towns, Fulda, Seligenstadt, Marburg, Kassel, Rudescheim am Rhein, Trier and Heidelberg , offer a different Christmas Market experience, making sure you won’t get bored or having it feel too repetitive. There are also other things to see and do in each town, making these spots a good choice for a full day trip or an overnight visit.
Christmas Markets Near Frankfurt
Editor’s Note: Portions of my trip to Germany were hosted by the German National Tourism Organization , including visits to Kassel, Marburg, Fulda, and Seligenstadt. This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. All opinions are my own .
Keep in mind that the best time to visit the German Christmas Markets is in early December, as most markets run from late November up until Christmas Eve. However, it is important to check current dates and times before you go.
Fulda
Of the 14 German Christmas Markets that I have visited, Fulda is one of my very favorites. This small, under-the-radar city is less than an hour and a half from downtown Frankfurt via train or car. Known for its baroque architecture, Fulda dates back to the 10th century. While you are in town, you should also visit the Fulda Cathedral , which is the former church of Fulda Abbey and the burial place of Saint Boniface. The inside is bright and light, with a dome half the size of St. Peter’s and many beautiful murals.
The Fulda Christmas Market is spread across the city with six different themed markets including a winter forest, middle age/medieval market, children’s market, and a regional market featuring local makers and artisans. The Fulda market has a real local feel and wasn’t crowded, even on a weekend evening, making it a true delight.
The Fulda Christmas Market ( Weihnachts Markt Fulda ) also has live entertainment, with 90 different performers over the course of the market. Weekends feature special events for children, in addition to the handful of kid-friendly rides. What I really appreciated was the regional market featuring local artisans. Recognizing many small businesses can’t staff a market every day for weeks, they allow small start ups to book a stand for just a week, which means you can find different gifts each time you go.
This market also features local food, including a stand from a Michelin-star chef! You can grab some grub and a glühwein and take a seat on the grown-up carousel bar for a magical market experience (especially in the snow!)
Another favorite of mine was the middle ages market, located in a courtyard off the main square. It was dark with colorful uplighting, creating a fantasy-type environment. The centerpiece is a bar shaped like a Viking ship, with food and craft vendors all around. The gifts in this market are straight out of a renaissance fair, with leather goods and potions. I bought some adorable sheepskin booties for the babies in my family.
Seligenstadt
The small town of Seligenstadt is located just 30 minutes from central Frankfurt by car and about one hour by train and bus. The medieval town center dates back to the1500s. Luckily, Seligenstadt was not damaged during the war so you can see beautiful half-timbered buildings that are 400 years old and tour the monastery that dates back to around 830 A.D.
This town of only 22,000 residents doesn’t actually have a Christmas market, but they do have an Advent Market that takes place during the first two weeks of Advent from late November until mid-December, when it is then replaced by a large Christmas tree in the town square near the church. The market is small but enchanting, as thousands of lights decorate the buildings in the town center and a small arts and crafts fair is set up in the courtyard of the Abbey.
In 2023, the Seligenstadt Advent Market took place from Thursday, November 30th to Sunday, December 17, 2023.
In addition to the Advent Market, you can visit the Seligenstadt Abbey , where Benedictine monks lived for almost 1,000 years. Today you can tour the Abbey, with its impressive rooms and beautiful gardens. The Kloster Seligenstadt is open for visitors until mid-December on Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with guided tours at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m. As an old mill town, the Abbey still maintains a bakery and you can purchase some of its delicious bread at the gift shop.
While in town, enjoy the local shops and have lunch at Klosterstuben or enjoy local specialties at the market.
Marburg
The college town of Marburg is just a little over an hour from central Frankfurt by public transportation. With over one-third of its population made up of university students, this historic city has a youthful vibe. Marburg also didn’t suffer from any destruction in World War II, so you will find plenty of historic buildings, including one of the first Gothic churches in Germany, the Elisabethkirche , which was built in the 13th century.
Founded in 1527, Marburg University is one of Germany’s oldest and has a prestigious history as the center of Protestant Reformation theology. The town is also a pharmaceutical hub and was home to Emil von Behring, who won the Nobel Prize for his vaccine for tetanus and diphtheria.
On a whimsical note, the Brothers Grimm studied in Marburg from 1802 through 1805 and throughout the city you will find tributes to the Brothers with sculptures representing some of their fairytales. If you follow the path up the hill to Marburg Castle , you will see many crooked, half-timbered homes that feel like something from a fairytale, which are now used for student housing. Although there isn’t much to see at the Castle, other than a great view of the city below, it is worth the climb to have lunch at the lovely restaurant Bückingsgarten .
In town, the Marburg Christmas Market takes place around the historic Elisabeth Church, with market stalls that offer a diverse selection of goods such as jewelry, winter accessories, ceramics, clay, and toys, as well as local food specialties. The Marburg market took place from December 1 through 23, 2023. There is another small market in front of the city hall in Untermarkt.
However, if you visit on the weekend during Advent, it is worth the extra effort to go to the Dagobertshäuser Christmas market , about 15 minutes outside of town. If you don’t have a car, there is a shuttle bus that runs from the P+R car park Emil-von-Behring-Straße (Behringwerke) from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and drops off right in front of the farm estate where the market is held.
While quite small, this market had the best food offerings of any that I visited and a large indoor, barn-like event space with communal picnic tables that also provide shelter from the cold and snow. The raclette that I had was excellent, along with the most delicious churros (not very German but these were better than ones I’ve had in Spain!), and apple beignets (apfel-beignets). There is an indoor craft market and the outdoor stands are lit by energy-saving LED lights to address the traditional market’s move toward sustainability and create a romantic setting, especially in the snow.
Just keep in mind that the Dagobertshäuser Christmas Market is only open on weekends on Fridays and Saturdays during Advent from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Sundays and on December 23rd from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Kassel
Kassel is two and one-half hours from Frankfurt by car but only one and one-half hours using public transportation. As the third-largest city in Hesse, Kassel has a lot to offer in terms of history and art, as well as a vibrant Christmas Market.
Kassel is home to Grimmwelt , a modern and interactive museum celebrating the lives and legacies of the Brothers Grimm. The museum contains original manuscripts, vibrant illustrations, and immersive multimedia exhibits that bring their iconic tales to life and provide a tribute to their literary legacy.
High above the city, the Wilhelmshöhe Palace houses the Old Masters Picture Gallery with 500 European paintings from late Gothic to Classicism. The palace is set amidst the expansive Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe , a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a visit you can explore its manicured gardens, cascading waterfalls, and the Hercules monument, a symbolic landmark overlooking the city.
While there is plenty to do in the city, be sure to leave enough time to visit the Fairy Tale Christmas Market in Kassel. This is an excellent German Christmas Market to visit with kids because every evening at 4:30 and 7:00 p.m., Santa Claus and his reindeer fly through the sky near Höhe GALERIA. This exciting feat is performed by the high ropes artists Falko Traber and his son Fernando.
The Kassel Christmas Market takes place between Königsplatz and Friedrichsplatz and the stalls are jam-packed with people, especially on the weekends, so visit midweek if you can. You can get above the fray on a ride on the large Ferris wheel or take the kids on the popular, luge-like fairytale slide.
The Kassel Market was open from November 27 to December 30, 2023 (except December 24-26th) from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with gastronomy stands until 10 p.m. (where you can taste the European award-winning bratwurst.)
Rüdescheim am Rhein
Situated on the Rhine River, the small wine village of Rüdescheim is a very popular spot for a day trip from Frankfurt, along with a port for many Rhine river cruises . Picture narrow, cobblestone streets meandering past half-timbered houses adorned in twinkling lights, with orderly rows of grapevines lining the hillside that rises up from the Rhine River. Just over an hour by train from Frankfurt, Rudescheim is a must if you are looking for Christmas markets near Frankfurt.
Compared to Frankfurt, Rüdesheim’s Christmas Market is an intimate affair, brimming with festive charm and local flair — and absolutely overflowing with tourists. If you can, go early or maybe even stay overnight to experience this truly adorable town without the throngs. There is also a large parking lot at the outskirts of town if you decide to drive. Either way, it is extremely walkable to see all the sights of Rudescheim or you can hop on the Niederwalddenkmal cable car to the hilltop beyond to visit the Niederwald Monument , a symbol of German unity sitting on beautiful overlook above the town, river, and vineyards.
Start off with a stroll through the crowded but quaint Drosselgasse , a narrow lane with half-timbered buildings, shops, and restaurants. If you can stay after the market closes, this street empties out and you can see its true charm.
The market is spread throughout town, but the heart of the magic lies in the Marktplatz, where a life-sized nativity scene unfolds and you will find live entertainment. The craft stands in Rüdescheim are a bit of a disappointment, with more imported or commercial goods than you find at some markets, but the food and picturesque setting made up for it. Here I had a delicious serving of käsespatzle (cheese spatzle) topped with crispy fried onions and warm Glühwein in an adorable souvenir mug (yes, I brought mine home instead of getting my deposit back.)
The Rüdescheimer Weihnachtsmarkt also has a small children’s market with rides and, when we visited, a display of large rabbits and fluffy chickens, in front of the Siegfried’s Mechanical Museum and Brömserhof. The market is open from November 21st to December 23, 2024, on Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
If you decide to stay overnight to see the town at its most peaceful, I’d recommend Breuer’s Rüdescheimer Schloss , which has a fantastic location, charming rooms, a full restaurant, and even free parking (once you find it.)
Trier
Trier is a bit further, about two and one-half hours from Frankfurt by bus or car, but it is so special it is worth the longer trip or an overnight stay. I absolutely loved my stay at the luxurious, boutique hotel Romantik Hotel Zur Clock in Trier . It has an incredible location, beautiful decor, included full breakfast, and it was quite affordable.
Located on the Moselle River near the border with Luxembourg , Trier is Germany’s oldest city. Founded by the Romans in 17 BC, you can still see remnants of that past, including the impressive Porta Nigra , a Roman city gate that dates back to the 2nd century. This rich history forms the backdrop for a memorable Christmas experience.
The Trier Christmas Market is spread throughout the Alstadt (Old Town), with the lively Hauptmarkt serving as the heart of Trier’s Christmas Market. Here you will find wooden stalls brimming with a nice selection handcrafted ornaments and crafts, along with tempting treats and rides for children.
The market extends to the square in front of the majestic Trier Cathedral , which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest church in Germany. From Hauptmarkt, follow the twinkling lights down Fleischstrasse to Kornmarkt , where you will find more food stalls and a small ice rink under the lights.
The city center has beautiful architecture and spacious squares that allow the market to spread out and not feel cramped, providing ample opportunity to mingle with locals and fully enjoy the Christmas Market experience. Its authenticity made this market really stand out as one of my favorites. The Trier Christmas Market ran from November 24 through December 22, 2023.
Heidelberg
Located just an hour south of Frankfurt by car (1.5 hours by public transportation), Heidelberg is excellent day trip from Frankfurt. A university town located on the banks of the Neckar River, this charming city is a popular Christmas Market destination. The Heidelberg Castle looms over the picturesque Old Town. If you don’t want to climb up, you can ride a funicular to the Castle, or purchase a ticket to the top of the hill for an even broader view.
At the castle you can explore the gardens and the courtyard, as well as take in the sweeping views from the towers. To go inside, you will need to purchase a ticket and join a guided tour to see Pharmacy Museum and the Fasskeller, a massive barrel cellar that once housed the famous Heidelberg Tun, a giant wooden barrel that could hold over 220,000 liters of wine.
The Heidelberg Christmas Market is located across several squares, including the Karlsplatz, where you will find a small ice rink under the castle’s shadow (and the most delicious spritzkullen/ cruller donuts I’ve ever tasted!) The Heidelberg Christmas Market runs from November 25 to December 22, 2024.
In the Marktplatz, you will find tables tucked into wine barrels for a cozy and unique spot to enjoy your glühwein. Despite the town’s popularity, the markets didn’t feel overcrowded, at least not midweek, and they offered a mix of craft and food stalls, including some vegetarian options. It is a lovely town with shopping, beautiful architecture, and historic sights.
If you want to escape the cold, I’d highly recommend a meal at Weinstube Schnitzelbank . This historic restaurant is as authentic as you can get and serves up an amazing schnitzel. It is popular so try to get a reservation or go early.
For those that want to stay in town, the Villa Marstall is a cozy inn in the Old Town with small but charming rooms in a great location at an affordable price that includes breakfast.
Frankfurt Christmas Markets
If you are staying in Frankfurt, make sure to leave at least a full day to explore the many Christmas Markets spread throughout the city center. If you take the U-Bahn to Hauptwache, you can easily walk to all the main markets in Römerberg, St Paul’s Square, Main Quay, Hauptwache, and Friedrich Stoltze Square.
In Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz , you will find the Pink Christmas Market to celebrate the region’s LGBTQ+ community, featuring food and beverage stands that are welcoming to all. The distinct pink lighting and decor make this small market quite unique.
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