Arnstadt Christmas Market
Advent market activities in the oldest town in Thuringia — second weekend of Advent 2026
About Christmas Market Arnstadt
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Oldest Town in Thuringia during Advent
Arnstadt is the oldest town in Thuringia — first documented in 704 — and is located in the Ilm district south of Erfurt, at the gateway to the Thuringian Forest. The historic old town with its market square, Liebfrauenkirche, and Bach Church has been preserved over the centuries. The young Johann Sebastian Bach worked here as an organist from 1703–1707 — the Bach Church is named after him. During Advent, this setting transforms into a Christmas market of outstanding beauty.
Four Days with Daily Stage Program
The Christmas market traditionally runs on the second weekend of Advent, from Thursday to Sunday. On the market square, there is a covered open-air stage with a daily program from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM — kindergartens, schools, choirs, brass choirs, string ensembles, and big bands take turns. Santa Claus visits every day and distributes sweets to the children, complemented by a Christmas train ride and a carousel for the little ones. In the adjacent area around the Bach Church, a fairy tale forest is created — a special Arnstadt tradition with illuminated fairy tale figures along an exploration path.
Stalls, Mulled Wine, and Wood Stoves
Over fifty stalls line the historic market square and the adjacent alleys. The assortment includes: mulled wine, punch, eggnog, bratwurst, roasted pork neck, stollen, gingerbread, lard cakes — alongside arts and crafts from Thuringia and the Ore Mountains (incense smokers, pyramids, candle arches), wood carvings, textiles, and jewelry. Wood stoves warm the market area — a special feature of Arnstadt that makes strolling bearable even in winter temperatures.
Gift Workshop and Youth Services
The gift workshop run by the city's youth services in the town hall holds special significance. Children can create small gifts here themselves — making cards, dipping candles, painting wooden figures. The offer is free, and materials are provided. It is an Arnstadt tradition that parents can meanwhile stroll and enjoy mulled wine and bratwurst while the children work in the town hall — a practical, social solution that makes the festival family-friendly.
Christmas Market Arnstadt — edition 2026
Four Days of Advent in Arnstadt
The Arnstadt Christmas Market 2026 runs from December 3rd to 6th in the historic old town. On the market square, there is the covered stage with a daily program — kindergartens, schools, choirs, brass choirs, and ensembles take turns. Around the Bach Church is the fairy tale forest, and in the town hall, the gift workshop of the city's youth services.
Programme Christmas Market Arnstadt 2026
Program Highlights 2026 — Arnstadt Christmas Market
- Thursday, December 3rd — Opening: Market open from 11:00 AM; Opening ceremony with the mayor and city choir; evening stage programs
- Friday, December 4th: Market open 11:00 AM–9:00 PM; Stage program 2:00 PM–8:00 PM with kindergartens and school choirs; daily visit from Santa Claus
- Saturday, December 5th — Main Market Day: Market open 10:00 AM–10:00 PM; All-day stage program with brass choirs, wind ensembles, and vocal ensembles; fairy tale forest around the Bach Church particularly popular
- Sunday, December 6th (St. Nicholas Day) — Festive Conclusion: Market open 11:00 AM–8:00 PM; musical closing program in the afternoon; special visit from St. Nicholas for gift package distribution
- Permanent: Fairy tale forest at the Bach Church, Christmas train ride for children, gift workshop in the town hall (craft activities free)
- Stalls: over 50 exhibitors with mulled wine, bratwurst, stollen, arts and crafts from Thuringia and the Ore Mountains
Highlights Christmas Market Arnstadt 2026
- Second weekend of Advent in the oldest town in Thuringia
- Covered stage with daily program
- Fairy tale forest around the Bach Church
- Daily visits from Santa Claus
- Gift workshop for children in the town hall
- Wood stoves warm the market area
Prices Christmas Market Arnstadt 2026
Free admission. Mulled wine, food, and arts and crafts are paid for on site. Gift workshop and Christmas train rides are free or by small donation.
Practical information — Christmas Market Arnstadt
Date 2026
Thursday to Sunday, December 3rd to 6th, 2026 (second weekend of Advent).
Location
Market Square, Liebfrauenkirche, Bach Church, and adjacent alleys, 99310 Arnstadt.
Getting There
By train: Arnstadt is on the Erfurt–Schweinfurt line; about a 10-minute walk from the station to the market square. By car: A71 Erfurt–Schweinfurt, exit Arnstadt-Süd or Arnstadt-Nord.
Admission
Free.
Tip
Combine your visit to the Christmas market with the Bach Church (free admission, Bach worked here from 1703–1707) and the Arnstadt Palace Museum with the 'Mon Plaisir' doll collections — a unique collection of 84 miniature worlds from the 18th century.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Christmas Market Arnstadt al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Christmas Market Arnstadt
Marktplatz und historische Altstadt Arnstadt
Marktplatz und Altstadt, 99310 Arnstadt