Altdeutscher Weihnachtsmarkt Bad Wimpfen

A Market with 539 Years of History

The Altdeutsche Weihnachtsmarkt Bad Wimpfen is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany. In 1487, Emperor Frederick III granted the then free imperial city of Wimpfen the privilege to hold a market in the weeks before Christmas. This tradition has been continued for over five centuries, and in 2026, the market celebrates its unbroken lineage in the historic old town of what is now a small spa town on the Neckar.

Medieval Setting as a Trademark

What makes the market unique is its setting: the picturesque old town of Bad Wimpfen with its medieval half-timbered houses, cobblestone alleys, the Red Tower, the Blue Tower, the Wormser Hof, and the monastery. Most stalls are located in the narrow alleys, giving the market its very special, intimate character. Between the half-timbered facades, illuminated dormer windows, and with the scent of mulled wine in the air, an almost cinematic atmosphere is created — no wonder Bad Wimpfen is often cited as an example of German Christmas market romance.

Over 100 Stalls with High-Quality Goods

At the over 100 stalls, exhibitors offer high-quality, often handmade goods — not a typical flea market, but explicitly curated art and crafts:

• Wood carvings from the Erzgebirge and Tyrol
• Ceramics and pottery
• Glass art and Christmas tree baubles
• Felt, knitted, and textile works
• Jewelry (stainless steel, silver, gemstones)
• Beekeeping products (honey, mead, beeswax candles)
• Wooden toys
• Leather goods
• Nativity scenes and Advent decorations

European Village in the Wormser Hof

A special feature of the Bad Wimpfen market is the European Village in the Wormser Hof — each year, a guest country from Europe is presented, showcasing its specialties, crafts, and Christmas traditions. Previous guests included Poland, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The guest country for 2026 will be announced on the market's website in due time.

Supporting Program — Concerts, Night Watchmen, Christmas Stories

The cultural supporting program is among the most extensive of the southern German Christmas markets:

• Night Watchman Tours — the Bad Wimpfen night watchman guides guests through the evening old town with a lantern and halberd, a tourist specialty of the town
• Wimpfen Christmas Stories — stories and anecdotes from grandma's time, recited in the market square and courtyards
• Concerts in the churches — boys' choirs, brass choirs, classical chamber music
• St. Nicholas Visit on the weekend of December 4–6 with gifts for the children
• Christkind Visit throughout the entire market period
• Historic Carousel for children — one of the highlights
• Nativity Scene Exhibition in the monastery

Bad Wimpfen — Town on the Neckar with Imperial Palace

Bad Wimpfen is located in the district of Heilbronn (AGS 08125) on the Neckar — a former free imperial city where the Staufer dynasty built their imperial palace in the 12th century. Ruins of the imperial palace and the mighty Blue Tower still shape the townscape today. With around 7,000 inhabitants, the town is small but world-renowned as a spa and health resort — and a magnet for day-trippers and tourists from southern Germany and Switzerland, especially during Advent.

Traffic — Free Parking Plus Shuttle Bus

Something special for a Christmas market: around 2,000 free parking spaces in the valley of Bad Wimpfen (on the Neckar). From there, a shuttle bus for €1 goes up to the old town. Exemplary organization that makes the arrival and departure experience comfortable.