chocolART — International Chocolate Festival Tübingen

chocolART — Europe's Largest Chocolate Festival

The chocolART in Tübingen is Europe's largest international chocolate festival and one of the sweetest dates in the pre-Christmas calendar. Since 2006, the festival has transformed the picturesque Old Town of the university city of Tübingen (Tübingen district, state of Baden-Württemberg) into a fragrant, glowing world of chocolate for six days in December. In 2026, the 21st edition will take place from December 1st to 6th.

Over 90 Chocolatiers from 10 Countries

More than 90 selected chocolatiers, patissiers, and manufacturers from ten countries present their creations around the Market Square, Holzmarkt, Nonnenhaus, and Burse: from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Poland, from Africa, and from the growing regions of Ecuador and Peru. From classic truffles to experimental chocolate spice pairings, from fair trade bean-to-bar chocolate to spectacular chocolate sculptures — the range is unique.

chocolateROOM and Live Facade Illumination

Live creations are made in the chocolateROOM — including the famous chocoLINO, a spectacular chocolate sculpture crafted live by chocolatiers in front of an audience. The highlight every evening is the facade illumination: the Tübingen light artist collective studio leucht-werk transforms the half-timbered houses of the Old Town into glowing gingerbread houses — a spectacle that turns the already magical market square into a fairytale scene.

Thematic Worlds

chocolART is more than a market — it's a curated experience:

• chocoTASTINGS & chocoKULINARIUM — guided tastings and cocoa pairings with wine, coffee, or whiskey
• chocoFAIR — fair trade and bean-to-bar manufacturers with direct contact to cocoa farmers
• chocoVEGAN — vegan chocolate without milk and animal products
• chocoSOZIAL — social projects related to cocoa cultivation and fair working conditions
• chocoKIDS — children's program with praline-making courses, chocolate craft activities, and interactive stations

Praline Courses, Readings, and Theater

The accompanying program includes praline-making courses (registration required), chocolate readings in Tübingen's bookstores, chocolate theater, and concerts in the churches. Restaurants and cafés in Tübingen's Old Town offer special menus with chocolate dishes, and selected hotels offer chocolate packages.

Tübingen — Southern Germany's Most Beautiful Pre-Christmas City

With its impressive Old Town on the Neckar river, punting boats, the Hölderlinturm tower, and Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen is considered one of Germany's most beautiful university cities. In December, the magical pre-Christmas atmosphere is added — Advent market, fairy lights, the cloud of chocolate scent from chocolART. Tübingen-Erleben GmbH organizes the festival as the city's trademark and will once again bring six days of sweet magic to life in 2026.