Name: Christmas in the World Heritage Site Wismar 2026
Start: 2026-11-23T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-12-20T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Marktplatz und Alter Hafen Wismar

Christmas in Wismar

About Christmas in Wismar

During Advent, the UNESCO World Heritage old town of Wismar shines in festive splendour. The Christmas market extends across the market square and around the Old Harbour: an illuminated town hall, colourful gabled houses, and the unique 'Wismarer Weihnachtsstern' (Wismar Christmas Star) designed especially for the Hanseatic city form an extraordinary backdrop. Regional and Scandinavian specialities, traditional crafts, handmade goods, and concerts characterise the market activities. At the Old Harbour, the 'Wismarer Sternenwald' (Wismar Star Forest) of 180 fir trees invites you, and for children, there is a dedicated children's Christmas market with rides and a craft hut.

Dates 23 Nov — 20 Dec 2026

Venue Wismar (13074)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Christmas in Wismar — edition 2026

In 2026, the Christmas in the World Heritage Site Wismar is open from 23 November to 20 December, daily from 11 am to 8 pm, Fridays and Saturdays until 9 pm. The market extends across the market square and the Old Harbour with the Wismar Star Forest of 180 fir trees, regional and Scandinavian specialities, arts and crafts, concerts, and a dedicated children's Christmas market.

The Christmas in the World Heritage Site Wismar 2026 opens from 23 November to 20 December in the World Heritage old town.

Opening Hours

Daily 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
Friday and Saturday until 9:00 pm

Programme

The market takes place on the market square, the Old Harbour, and the alleys of the old town. At the Old Harbour is the Wismarer Sternenwald (Wismar Star Forest) of 180 fir trees with a festively decorated tree and huts offering regional products. There are regional and Scandinavian specialities, traditional crafts, handmade goods, as well as atmospheric events and concerts. For children, there is a dedicated children's Christmas market with rides and a craft hut. From 11 to 13 December 2026, the art market in St. George's Church will also take place.

Highlights Christmas in Wismar 2026

The 'Wismarer Sternenwald' (Wismar Star Forest) of 180 fir trees at the Old Harbour, the 'Wismarer Weihnachtsstern' (Wismar Christmas Star) designed for the city, and the dedicated children's Christmas market with a craft hut.

Programme Christmas in Wismar 2026

23 November to 20 December 2026

Market Square — Stalls with traditional crafts and artisanal goods, concerts
Old Harbour — 'Wismarer Sternenwald' (Wismar Star Forest) of 180 fir trees, huts with regional products
Children's Christmas Market — Rides, craft hut for pottery, felting, and painting, hut for designing Christmas baubles
Regional and Scandinavian specialities in the alleys of the old town
11–13 December 2026 — Art market in St. George's Church

The Hanseatic City of Wismar will publish the detailed event and concert calendar.

Prices Christmas in Wismar 2026

Admission to the Christmas market is free. Rides and individual attractions are paid for on site.

Practical information

Practical information — Christmas in Wismar

Getting There

Wismar is located on the railway line to Schwerin and Rostock; the market square and Old Harbour are within walking distance from the station. By car, take the A20 (Wismar exit).

Admission

Admission to the Christmas market is free.

Tip

The market can be well combined with a visit to the art market in St. George's Church (mid-December).

Advent in the UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Christmas in the World Heritage Site Wismar is the Christmas market of the Hanseatic city of Wismar in the Nordwestmecklenburg district of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. During Advent, the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, transforms into a festively illuminated stage: the Gothic town hall, the colourful gabled houses, and the 'Wismarer Weihnachtsstern' (Wismar Christmas Star) designed especially for the city create a distinctive backdrop.

Market Square and Old Harbour

The market is spread across several locations in the old town. On the Market Square, stalls offer traditional crafts and artisanal goods. At the Old Harbour, the 'Wismarer Sternenwald' (Wismar Star Forest) made of 180 fir trees stands with a festively decorated tree; small huts there offer regional products as souvenirs and gifts. Atmospheric events and concerts enliven the market square, harbour, and the alleys of the old town.

Regional and Scandinavian

Culinary, the Wismar Christmas market combines regional and Scandinavian specialities – an echo of the Hanseatic city's historical connection to Sweden. Traditional crafts and handmade goods make the market a good place to search for special Christmas gifts.

A Market for Families

For children, there is a dedicated Children's Christmas Market with various rides and a craft hut where they can do pottery, felting, and painting; in another hut, children can design Christmas tree baubles. This makes the Christmas in the World Heritage Site a destination for the whole family and one of the major highlights of the Wismar year.