Burgweihnacht – Christmas Story at the Imperial Castle
Living Christmas story with actors in historical costumes and real animals at the Imperial Castle
About Burgweihnacht Reichsburg
When the first snowflakes swirl over the Moselle on a second Advent weekend, or a clear winter evening makes the stars shine above the Imperial Castle, the Burgweihnacht unfolds its special magic. Unlike classic Christmas markets that focus on mulled wine, stalls, and stage programs, the Burgweihnacht places the ancient narrative of the Holy Night at its center – as a living reenactment with real people and real animals.
The performance follows the biblical narrative. Several stations are set up in the Rose Garden where actors in medieval-looking costumes portray the scenes: Mary and Joseph searching for lodging, the birth in the stable with a crib, donkey, ox, and sheep, the shepherds in the fields, the angels announcing the good news, the Three Wise Men paying homage. Visitors walk through the stations in small groups, experiencing the play not as a stage performance but as an immersive living space.
The reenactment is in German. Entrance fees are charged for the Burgweihnacht, as the castle setting, actors' fees, and animal provision involve considerable effort. In the outer area – at the forecourt and castle entrance – a free Christmas market in the classic format takes place concurrently, with wooden stalls, mulled wine, handicrafts, and culinary specialties. The Burgweihnacht is open from 12 PM to 6 PM on both days; the reenactments are repeated several times, ensuring all groups can experience the full story.
Burgweihnacht Reichsburg — edition 2026
The exact program for 2026 will be published by Reichsburg Cochem in late autumn. The structure will follow the proven key points of previous years: opening at 12 PM, multiple reenactments of the Christmas story per day, in German, guided in groups through the stations, with opportunities for free exploration during breaks. Animal stations will be supervised and visible; in the outer market, wooden stalls will provide visitors with mulled wine and food.
Programme Burgweihnacht Reichsburg 2026
Saturday, December 12th, 2026 (12 PM–6 PM)
- 12:00 PM – Castle opens, admission to Burgweihnacht
- Repeated reenactments every 45 to 60 minutes
- Concurrently – free market in the outer area
- 5:30 PM – last reenactment
- 6:00 PM – closing
Sunday, December 13th, 2026 (12 PM–6 PM)
- 12:00 PM – Opening
- Reenactments as on the previous day
- 5:30 PM – last performance
- 6:00 PM – end of event
The exact program for 2026 will be published by the organizer in late autumn. The structure follows the proven key points of previous years.
Highlights Burgweihnacht Reichsburg 2026
- Living Christmas story with actors and real animals
- The castle setting of Reichsburg Cochem as the venue
- Free handicraft Christmas market in the outer area
- Illuminated courtyards create a special atmosphere
- Reenactments in German
Prices Burgweihnacht Reichsburg 2026
Practical information — Burgweihnacht Reichsburg
Location: Reichsburg Cochem, Rosenhof and courtyards, 56812 Cochem.
Opening Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 12 PM to 6 PM daily.
Admission: Burgweihnacht requires an entrance fee; handicraft market in the outer area is free.
Language: Reenactments in German.
Getting there: On foot from Endertplatz or by castle bus.
Animals: Real sheep, donkeys, and an ox on site, therefore dogs are not permitted in the castle area.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.