Altdeutscher Weihnachtsmarkt Bad Wimpfen
One of Germany's oldest Christmas markets — three Advent weekends in the medieval old town of the former imperial city of Wimpfen
About Weihnachtsmarkt Bad Wimpfen
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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.
Weihnachtsmarkt Bad Wimpfen — edition 2026
2026 Season Schedule
The market is spread over the first three Advent weekends, with the same setup each time:
1st Advent Weekend — November 27–29, 2026
- Friday, Nov 27 — 11:30 AM: Market opens; 5:00 PM: Official opening by the mayor in the market square; evening brass choir
- Saturday, Nov 28 — 11:30 AM–9:30 PM: Market open; 2:00 PM boys' choir in St. Peter's; 6:00 PM night watchman tour
- Sunday, Nov 29 — 11:30 AM–8:00 PM: Market; 3:00 PM Wimpfen Christmas stories in the market square; 5:00 PM Advent concert
2nd Advent Weekend — December 4–6, 2026 (St. Nicholas)
- Friday, Dec 4 — Market opens; evening St. Nicholas program
- Saturday, Dec 5 — Market open; 3:00 PM St. Nicholas with Knecht Ruprecht; 6:00 PM night watchman tour
- Sunday, Dec 6 — St. Nicholas Day: 2:00 PM Grand St. Nicholas appearance with gifts for children; 5:00 PM Advent concert
3rd Advent Weekend — December 11–13, 2026
- Friday, Dec 11 — Market; evening musical program
- Saturday, Dec 12 — Market; Nativity scene exhibition in the monastery; night watchman tours
- Sunday, Dec 13 — Closing Sunday: Market open; 5:00 PM Closing concert in St. Peter's
Open Permanently (all three weekends)
- Over 100 stalls with arts and crafts
- European Village in the Wormser Hof
- Historic Carousel for children
- Nativity scene exhibition in the monastery
- Christkind visits throughout
- Mulled wine, Feuerzangenbowle, Bratwurst, and crêpes stands
Programme Weihnachtsmarkt Bad Wimpfen 2026
Altdeutscher Weihnachtsmarkt Bad Wimpfen 2026 — Program Overview
1st Advent Weekend: November 27–29, 2026
- Fri, Nov 27, 11:30 AM — Market opens for the season
- Fri, Nov 27, 5:00 PM — Official opening by the mayor in the market square
- Fri, Nov 27, 6:00 PM — Brass choir
- Sat, Nov 28, 2:00 PM — Boys' choir in St. Peter's
- Sat, Nov 28, 6:00 PM — Night watchman tour (registration at Tourist Info)
- Sun, Nov 29, 3:00 PM — Wimpfen Christmas stories
- Sun, Nov 29, 5:00 PM — Advent concert
2nd Advent Weekend: December 4–6, 2026 (St. Nicholas)
- Fri, Dec 4 — Market 11:30 AM–9:30 PM; St. Nicholas pre-program in the evening
- Sat, Dec 5, 3:00 PM — St. Nicholas with Knecht Ruprecht distributes gifts to children
- Sat, Dec 5, 6:00 PM — Night watchman tour
- Sun, Dec 6, 2:00 PM — Grand St. Nicholas appearance on St. Nicholas Day
- Sun, Dec 6, 5:00 PM — Advent concert in St. Peter's
3rd Advent Weekend: December 11–13, 2026
- Fri, Dec 11 — Market 11:30 AM–9:30 PM; evening music program
- Sat, Dec 12, 2:00 PM — Nativity scene exhibition in the monastery
- Sat, Dec 12, 6:00 PM — Night watchman tour
- Sun, Dec 13, 5:00 PM — Closing concert in St. Peter's — Season ends
In the Wormser Hof — European Village
During all three weekends, the European Village in the Wormser Hof is open. A different guest country each year presents its Christmas specialties, crafts, and culinary traditions. The guest country for 2026 will be announced on weihnachtsmarkt-badwimpfen.de.
Permanent
- 100+ stalls of arts and crafts
- Historic Carousel
- Nativity scene exhibition in the monastery
- Christkind visits
- Shuttle bus €1 from the valley parking lot
Current detailed program and booking for night watchman tours via the Kultur & Tourist-Information Bad Wimpfen, Tel. +49 7063 53230.
Highlights Weihnachtsmarkt Bad Wimpfen 2026
- One of Germany's oldest Christmas markets (since 1487)
- Medieval half-timbered old town as a backdrop
- Over 100 stalls with high-quality arts and crafts
- European Village in the Wormser Hof with a guest country
- Night watchman tours with lantern and halberd
- Wimpfen Christmas stories
- St. Nicholas on the 2nd Advent weekend
- 2,000 free parking spaces, shuttle bus €1
- Nativity scene exhibition in the monastery
- Concerts in the historic churches
Prices Weihnachtsmarkt Bad Wimpfen 2026
Free admission. Shuttle bus from the valley parking lot to the old town: €1. Mulled wine €4–5 (deposit €3 per cup), Feuerzangenbowle €6, Bratwurst €4, roasted almonds €4, crêpes €3.50, historic carousel €2 per ride. Night watchman tour approx. €8–10 (booking via Tourist Info required).
Practical information — Weihnachtsmarkt Bad Wimpfen
Getting There
By train: to Bad Wimpfen station (in the valley), then walk up to the old town or take the shuttle bus. By car: A6 or A81 exit Heilbronn, then B27 to Bad Wimpfen. Over 2,000 free parking spaces in the valley, shuttle bus to the old town for €1.
Opening Hours 2026
Three Advent weekends: November 27–29, 2026 · December 4–6, 2026 · December 11–13, 2026. Friday and Saturday 11:30 AM–9:30 PM. Sunday 11:30 AM–8 PM.
Admission
Free admission. Shuttle bus €1. Mulled wine €4–5 (deposit €3 per cup), Feuerzangenbowle €6, Bratwurst €4, roasted almonds €4, crêpes €3.50. Carousel approx. €2 per ride.
Night Watchman Tours
Bookings via the Kultur & Tourist-Information Bad Wimpfen, Hauptstraße 45, Tel. +49 7063 53230. Reserve early — dates sell out quickly.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Weihnachtsmarkt Bad Wimpfen al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Weihnachtsmarkt Bad Wimpfen
Historische Altstadt Bad Wimpfen — Marktplatz, Wormser Hof und Gassen
Hauptstraße 45, 74206 Bad Wimpfen