This blog post provides an in-depth guide to the highlights of Frankfurt’s Christmas Market, from the giant Christmas tree and two-story carousel to the magnificent Frankfurt skyline, offering a full experience of this festive celebration’s unique charm. The article also covers various traditional Christmas market foods and unique souvenirs, along with detailed transportation guides, the 2024 opening dates of other famous German Christmas markets, practical outfit suggestions, and theft prevention tips, helping readers easily plan their independent Christmas trips in Germany.

Introduction: Experience the Magic of Germany’s Christmas Markets

Every Christmas, Germany’s Christmas markets (German: Weihnachtsmarkt) become a dream destination for travelers. The dazzling lights, the aroma of traditional food, craft stalls, and festive music create an atmosphere where every visitor can truly feel the Christmas spirit. Whether gazing down at the market from Frankfurt’s cathedral or strolling through the medieval town of Rothenburg, each of Germany’s Christmas markets has its own unique story and charm, waiting for travelers to explore. This article will take you on a tour of the must-see highlights of Frankfurt’s Christmas Market and introduce the features of other famous German markets, letting you experience the true holiday magic this winter.

Frankfurt Christmas Market – Highlights and Experiences

Records show that Frankfurt’s Christmas market dates back to 1393, making it one of the oldest in history. Kitty believes this Christmas market is well worth visiting for several reasons: first, it is surrounded by Frankfurt’s major tourist attractions, so you can explore both the market and the sights at the same time; second, the market covers a vast, concentrated area with a wide variety of food and decorations, allowing you to easily spend several hours browsing; third, it’s only a 30-minute ride from Frankfurt International Airport, making it incredibly convenient to reach.

Frankfurt City Hall (Frankfurter Römer): Giant Christmas Tree

Frankfurt’s City Hall (Frankfurter Römer) is a medieval building that has stood since 1405, featuring a stepped roof design. The giant Christmas tree is located right in front of the city hall, and it’s especially magical to see at night, when it’s beautifully lit, creating a perfect holiday atmosphere.

Römerberg: Two-Story Carousel

At the Christmas market in Frankfurt’s Römerberg square, there is a two-story carousel. Riding on the second level, you can enjoy a high-up view of the market while listening to Christmas carols. As it spins, the experience feels truly enchanting!

Make sure to line up for tickets first, and they’ll give you a token. Once you’ve picked your spot, the staff will collect the token from you.

Frankfurt Cathedral: A Stunning View of the Skyline and Bustling Christmas Market

If you don’t mind climbing stairs, you can ascend to the top of Frankfurt Cathedral (German: Kaiserdom St. Bartholomäus). From there, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Frankfurt’s skyline, the Main River, and the lively Christmas market—an unforgettable sight!

Inside the cathedral, there’s a nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. While enjoying the festive atmosphere, remember whose birthday we are celebrating.

Souvenir Shopping: Handicraft Stores and Christmas Decorations

At Germany’s Christmas markets, you’ll find many intricate handicrafts, such as wooden nativity scenes, Christmas tree ornaments, and incense-smoking figurines. These items can be quite pricey, but they are handmade, so the craftsmanship justifies the cost.

A three-tiered Christmas pyramid (in German: 3-stöckige Weihnachtspyramiden) is a traditional German Christmas decoration. It typically consists of multiple wooden tiers that rotate when the candles at the base are lit. The heat from the candles causes the upper levels to spin.

I once had a conversation with an American friend who shared her family’s Christmas tradition: she and her three siblings would each choose one ornament every year for the Christmas tree. As the years went by, the number of ornaments grew. When they turned 18 and moved out, they brought their 18 ornaments with them to their new homes. I found this idea really interesting! Having sentimental decorations from home makes your place feel much more like home, especially when living on your own.

Must-Try Christmas Market Treats: Traditional Foods and Drinks

Is it that as we age, we lose interest in street food and prefer home-cooked meals? Or is it that living abroad for a while makes us appreciate our own cooking? However, when you’re lucky enough to visit a Christmas market in Germany, you have to experience its traditional and unique culinary offerings!

Bethmännchen

Bethmännchen is a traditional Christmas treat from Frankfurt, typically made from ground almonds, icing sugar, and rose water, topped with three halved almonds. The name comes from the Bethmann family, a prominent family in Frankfurt.

Glühwein

Glühwein is hot mulled wine, the best choice for warding off the cold during the winter and at Christmas markets. It’s made by heating red wine and mixing it with spices (like cinnamon, cloves, lemon peel, and orange slices), and sometimes it includes rum and other juices. Served steaming hot, it fills the air with a delightful aroma, warming both body and spirit. Besides the red wine version, there’s also Weißer Glühwein, made from white wine, which has a lighter, more refreshing taste.

The mugs used at Christmas markets are uniquely designed, and when you purchase a drink, you pay a deposit (German: Pfand) along with the price. You can either take the mug home as a souvenir or return it to get your deposit back. I enjoy collecting different mugs from various Christmas markets and using them at home each Christmas; it adds to the festive atmosphere and makes for great keepsakes!

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(Working in progress: I am currently translating my Chinese blog posts into English)

Hot Apple Wine (heißer Apfelwein)

Apple wine (German: Apfelwein) is one of Frankfurt’s specialties! In 2022, it was even listed as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage” by UNESCO! Everyone should give it a try!

German Gingerbread (Lebkuchen)

Lebkuchen is a traditional German cake originating from the Nuremberg region, usually coming in various shapes, with the most common being round or heart-shaped. Some are made into star shapes, Christmas trees, or animal shapes, especially at Christmas markets, where Lebkuchen is often designed as large heart shapes for decoration or gifts. These cookies are typically thick and fluffy, and they may be coated with chocolate, icing, or glaze.

At Christmas markets, heart-shaped Lebkuchen is often decorated with colorful icing around the edges and features simple, warm messages or sweet phrases written in icing in the center, such as “Frohe Weihnachten” (Merry Christmas) or “Ich liebe dich” (I love you). Sometimes, there are more personalized phrases given as gifts to friends and family. The lettering is often handwritten, with cute fonts and vibrant colors, making Lebkuchen not only a delicious treat but also visually appealing as festive decorations, symbolizing the holiday atmosphere.

Roasted Almonds (Gebrannte Mandeln)

At German Christmas markets, roasted almonds (German: Gebrannte Mandeln) are a classic snack that I really enjoy. Fresh almonds are coated with sugar and spices (like cinnamon or vanilla) and slowly roasted in a copper pot. As the almonds are continually stirred, the syrup melts and evenly coats the almonds, forming a crispy candy shell. The roasted almonds carry a caramel aroma, are crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside, and have a sweet yet not overwhelming taste, especially warm and delicious right out of the pot, making it hard to stop eating one after another.

Crepes

In addition to traditional German snacks, there are also French crepes!

Map of the Frankfurt Christmas Market

The Christmas markets are concentrated in the following locations. Kitty has organized a map for everyone, which can be saved in your Google Maps by clicking on the star.

• Römerberg
• Paulsplatz
• Mainkai
• Hauptwache
• Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz
• Roßmarkt

How to reach the Frankfurt Christmas Market

Public Transportation Recommendations

You can get off at either of the stations listed below to reach the Frankfurt Christmas Market, and you can access these stations via U-Bahn or S-Bahn accordingly.

Station Name	Transportation
Get off at Dom/Römer station	Take U-Bahn: U4 or U5
Get off at Römer/Paulskirche station	Take Straßenbahn: 11, 12, or 14
Get off at Hauptwache station (There are already market stalls at Hauptwache; you can walk 5 to 10 minutes along the main street to Römerberg)	Take S-Bahn: S1-6, S8, S9; or Take U-Bahn: U1, U2, U3

Parking Recommendations 🅿️

If you come by car, you can park at the following three parking facilities. I personally prefer the first one, as it is closest to the Christmas market and has elevators, making it more comfortable for those with disabilities or strollers. However, during peak times, it might be challenging to find a parking spot. Alternatively, you can park at the other two facilities and walk to the Christmas market.

Car park 🅿️	Address
Parkhaus Dom/Römer	Domstraße 1, 60311 Frankfurt am Main
Parkhaus Hauptwache	Kornmarkt 10, 60311 Frankfurt am Main
Parkhaus Konstabler	Töngesgasse 8, 60311 Frankfurt am Main

Kitty previously wrote an article explaining the essentials of driving in Germany. Please refer to the link below for details:

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(Working in progress: I am currently translating my Chinese blog posts into English)

2024 Opening Dates and Hours for the Frankfurt Christmas Market

The Christmas markets typically begin on the first Sunday of Advent, which is four Sundays before Christmas Day. So, readers traveling to Germany at the end of November can also experience the Christmas markets—don’t miss out!

Please note that the Christmas markets will be open before the Christmas public holiday. On the actual holiday, everyone stays home with family.

Frankfurt Christmas Market
Opening Dates	November 25, 2024, to December 22, 2024
Opening Hours (Monday to Saturday)	10 AM to 9 PM
Opening Hours (Sunday)	11 AM to 9 PM

For more details, please visit the official website.

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Opening Dates of Germany’s Famous Christmas Markets in 2024

2024 Dresden Christmas Market (Dresdner Striezelmarkt) Opening Hours and Highlights

The Dresden Christmas Market (Dresdner Striezelmarkt) is often rated as one of the most popular Christmas markets in the German-speaking world and is considered the oldest Christmas market in Germany, with the 590th edition taking place in 2024. This market attracts a large number of visitors and features several world records, including the world’s tallest Christmas pyramid at 14.61 meters and the largest walk-in Christmas candle arch.

Opening Dates: November 27 to December 24, 2024

(Open daily until 9 PM, but on Christmas Eve, December 24, it closes at 2 PM.)

2024 Nuremberg Christmas Market (Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt) Opening Hours and Highlights

The Nuremberg Christmas Market is one of the most famous and historically significant Christmas markets in the world, set in front of the Gothic-style Frauenkirche. It is renowned for its exquisite traditional crafts and is also the birthplace of German gingerbread (Lebkuchen). The market is very family-friendly, featuring stalls specifically designed for children, where they can make Christmas pastries, soaps, and candles together. There are also dedicated steam trains and carousels for kids to enjoy the festive fun.

Opening Dates for the 2024 Nuremberg Christmas Market: November 29 to December 24, 2024

(Note: On Christmas Eve, December 24, it closes at 2 PM.)

2024 Rothenburg Christmas Market (Reiterlesmarkt in Rothenburg ob der Tauber) Opening Hours and Highlights

Located along the Romantic Road in Germany, Rothenburg (Rothenburg ob der Tauber) offers the most romantic holiday atmosphere at the year’s end. The Reiterlesmarkt is Rothenburg’s iconic Christmas market, nestled between the Town Hall and St. Jacob’s Church, and is praised as one of the most charming Christmas markets in Germany.

The Rothenburg Christmas Market features 54 stalls and is smaller in scale compared to the larger Christmas markets mentioned above, making it ideal to plan a day to explore Rothenburg and its Christmas market.

Opening Hours: Open daily from the first Advent Friday until December 23 each year.

I have to mention that the souvenir shop Käthe Wohlfahrt – Weihnachtsdorf in Rothenburg is incredibly large, almost like visiting a Christmas market. It displays all kinds of Christmas decorations and ornaments, creating a wonderful festive atmosphere. The store is open 365 days a year, so when you’re in Rothenburg, you must stop by to experience the Christmas market vibe! However, I personally feel that the Christmas Museum (Deutsches Weihnachtsmuseum), which requires an additional fee for entry, is not worth visiting at all!

Address: Herrngasse 1, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

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Practical Tips: Things to Note When Visiting Christmas Markets

1. Pay Attention to Christmas Market Opening Dates and Times

Christmas markets are closed on Christmas Day (December 25) and are only open before the holiday, so make sure to check the dates, or it would be quite disappointing to find them closed. Generally, Christmas markets begin during Advent, which starts in late November and early December.

On the actual holiday, people usually stay home with their families, and most shops and supermarkets are closed.

Additionally, most Christmas markets close by 9 PM, so don’t have the mindset of exploring a night market; it’s better to start your visit earlier.

2. Avoid Crowds: Best Times to Visit

Many tourists think that Christmas markets are lively only at night, but they actually open in the morning! I recommend starting your visit about two hours before sunset for the following reasons:

Christmas markets are mostly outdoors and are warmer during midday when the sun is out, while it gets really cold after dark. Also, at this time, the crowds are smaller, allowing you to leisurely stroll through the market in the sunshine and easily take photos.

Of course, the atmosphere becomes more festive at night when the lights come on, but it also gets crowded, especially when locals finish work and come to enjoy the markets with friends. This makes it challenging to appreciate the market comfortably.

I believe the best time for photos is around dusk. At this point, the sun has not completely set, and you can still see faces clearly while the Christmas lights are already twinkling, creating a magical holiday atmosphere. The crowds are also relatively thin, allowing you to quietly enjoy all the beauty.

In December, the sunset in Germany is around 4 PM. I would suggest having a hearty lunch beforehand to warm up, and then head to the Christmas market around 2 or 3 PM. Enjoy the beautiful Christmas decorations, sip on some hot mulled wine, and stay until you feel your toes getting numb from the cold before heading back to rest.

3. Cold Weather Advice: How to Dress in Winter in Germany

I recommend adopting an onion-style layering system—since it’s cold outside but warm indoors (like in restaurants and public transport). This layering allows flexibility, letting you add or remove clothes based on your surroundings.

• Base Layer: Choose thermal underwear to retain body heat. Breathable materials help wick away sweat to avoid feeling chilly. I prefer wool for its warmth, breathability, and natural antibacterial properties.
• Mid Layer: Opt for a wool or fleece sweater or hoodie as the mid-layer, keeping you warm outdoors without overheating indoors.
• Outer Layer: A windproof down jacket effectively protects against the cold wind and keeps your body warm.
• Warm Accessories: Scarves, gloves, and warm hats are essential for cold weather!
• Socks: In addition to wool socks, consider thick sports socks for added comfort during long walks.
• Shoes: Warm boots are a great choice since there’s a chance of snow. Make sure they are waterproof and slip-resistant.

Additionally, carrying some portable hand warmers can be handy when needed. You can also schedule some indoor activities or meal times, allowing yourself moments of warmth and relaxation in the cold weather.

4. Payment Methods: Please Bring Cash

In Germany, cash is king! Recently, during the UEFA European Championship, many tourists traveled from various European countries to Germany to watch matches. During this time, I flew back to Frankfurt with Lufthansa from London, and on the plane, there was a booklet for tourists that highlighted important tips for traveling in Germany, one of which was “Please bring cash!”

Currently, electronic payments are not widely adopted in Germany; many small shops do not accept credit cards or will only do so if a certain purchase amount is met. It’s advisable to bring some cash when visiting Christmas markets.

5. Safety and Theft Prevention Tips

In crowded areas, remember to keep your belongings safe, stay alert, and be aware of your surroundings. If someone seems too close, maintain your distance. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; only take what you need, and keep credit cards and identification separate to minimize loss in case of theft. Consider using a money belt hidden under your clothes for important items. Regularly check your belongings to ensure your camera, wallet, and phone are secure; losing them can really ruin your day!

Although Germany’s safety is relatively good, it is not as it was 20 to 30 years ago, when people used to leave their bicycles unlocked on the street without worry. Recently, I’ve heard of friends experiencing break-ins. So, it’s best to be cautious and secure your belongings.

Conclusion

I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you found this post helpful or have visited a German Christmas Market after reading, please share your experience in the comments!