Name: Dillinger Christkindlesmarkt 2026
Start: 2026-12-11T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-12-13T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Schlosshof und Schlossgarten Dillingen

Christkindlesmarkt Dillingen

About Christkindlesmarkt Dillingen

From December 13th to 15th, 2026, the castle courtyard and castle garden of the Danube university city of Dillingen will once again be transformed into a sparkling Christmas world. More than 70 exhibitors will offer crafts, gifts, and winter delicacies, including mulled wine, bratwurst, and candied almonds. Opening on Friday evening by the mayor and Christkind, nativity scene exhibition in the castle chapel, and a carousel for children – one of the most atmospheric Christmas markets in the Swabian Danube Valley.

Dates 11 Dec — 13 Dec 2026

Venue Dillingen a.d.Donau (09773)

Prices Free

Status —

Edition 2026

Christkindlesmarkt Dillingen — edition 2026

The Dillinger Christkindlesmarkt 2026 will open its doors as usual on the third Advent weekend in the castle courtyard and castle garden. Opening on Friday evening by the Christ-Kind and Mayor Frank Kunz, over 70 exhibitors with crafts, gifts, and winter delicacies, nativity scene exhibition in the castle chapel, and carousel for the little ones. Free admission.

Christkindlesmarkt 2026

The Dillinger Christkindlesmarkt will traditionally take place in 2026 on the third Advent weekend in the castle courtyard and castle garden of Dillingen a.d.Donau. Exact dates will be announced shortly before the season begins by the City of Dillingen and the Dillingen Kulturring.

Expected Program Flow

Friday · Market Opening 6:00 PM, Official Opening 7:00 PM with Mayor Frank Kunz and the Christ-Kind, Market open until 9:00 PM
Saturday · 2:00 PM–9:00 PM, Main Visitor Day
Sunday · 11:00 AM–8:00 PM, Family Day with carousel and Christ-Kind

Free admission, access via the castle gate on Schlossstraße.

Highlights Christkindlesmarkt Dillingen 2026

Over 70 exhibitors with crafts, gifts, and winter delicacies
Opening by Mayor Frank Kunz and the Christ-Kind
Nativity Scene Exhibition in the Castle Chapel
Carousel for children on Family Day
Castle courtyard and castle garden of the former bishop's residence as a backdrop
Free admission

Programme Christkindlesmarkt Dillingen 2026

Fri (3rd Advent Friday) 2026

6:00 PM Market Opening · 7:00 PM Official Opening by Mayor Frank Kunz and the Christ-Kind · Market until 9:00 PM

Sat (3rd Advent Saturday) 2026

2:00 PM–9:00 PM · Main Visitor Day · Nativity Scene Exhibition in the Castle Chapel · Stage Program

Sun (3rd Advent) 2026

11:00 AM–8:00 PM · Family Day · Carousel · Meeting the Christ-Kind

Prices Christkindlesmarkt Dillingen 2026

Free admission on all festival days. Food and drinks (mulled wine, punch, bratwurst, fish burgers, candied almonds, crepes) at typical Christmas market prices. Nativity scene exhibition in the castle chapel accessible free of charge. Contact Tourist Information Dillingen: +49 9071 54292.

Practical information

Practical information — Christkindlesmarkt Dillingen

Getting There

Dillingen is located on the B16 federal road and the Donauwörth–Ulm railway line (Dillingen Donau station). By car, take the A8 motorway (Munich–Stuttgart, Burgau exit) and continue on the B16. Central parking facilities in the city center; about a 10-minute walk from the train station to the castle courtyard.

Admission

Free admission on all three festival days. Access via the castle gate on Schlossstraße. Food and drinks at typical Christmas market prices.

Tips

The atmospheric highlight is the opening on Friday evening by the Christ-Kind. The nativity scene exhibition in the castle chapel is worth a quiet hour away from the hustle and bustle. Families preferably visit the market on Sunday afternoon with the carousel. Contact: Tourist Information Dillingen +49 9071 54292.

Sparkling Christmas World in the Castle Ensemble

The Dillinger Christkindlesmarkt is one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the Swabian Danube Valley. In 2026, it will open its doors from December 13th to 15th in the castle courtyard and castle garden of the former bishop's residence in Dillingen.

Program and Opening Hours

Following the tried-and-tested choreography of previous years, guests can expect:

Friday – Opening 6:00 PM, Official Opening 7:00 PM by Mayor Frank Kunz and the Christ-Kind. Market open until 9:00 PM.
Saturday – 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM, main visitor day with stage program, nativity scene exhibition, and castle illumination
Sunday – 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Family Day with carousel and meeting the Christ-Kind

Over 70 Exhibitors

More than 70 exhibitors – craftspeople, associations, regional producers – are spread across the castle courtyard and castle garden. The offerings range from handmade candles, wood crafts, and jewelry to regional gifts and winter delicacies: sweet crepes and candied almonds, hearty specialties like bratwurst, fish burgers, accompanied by mulled wine and punch.

Nativity Scene Exhibition in the Castle Chapel

A special feature of the Dillinger Christkindlesmarkt is the nativity scene exhibition in the castle chapel – with numerous private and club collections of nativity scenes. It symbolically represents the market's religious roots in the former episcopal city of Dillingen.

Dillingen — "Swabian Rome"

Dillingen a.d.Donau is located on the Bavarian-Swabian banks of the Danube in the district of Dillingen a.d.Donau. The former residence city of the Augsburg bishops and old university city (1551–1804) bears the nickname "Swabian Rome" – due to the numerous sacred buildings and the baroque splendor of the city center. The magnificent castle on the banks of the Danube is now home to various schools and cultural institutions and provides the ideal backdrop for the Christkindlesmarkt.

Free Admission, Castle Atmosphere Included

Admission is free on all festival days. Access is via the castle gate on Schlossstraße. Behind the walls, an almost intimate Christmas world awaits, its charm significantly shaped by the castle architecture – an experience away from the large, often commercialized big-city Christmas markets.