Ellwangen Christmas Market

Advent Market in a Baroque Setting

The baroque old town of Ellwangen — characterized by the magnificent St. Vitus Basilica, Ellwangen Castle, and the narrow streets with burgher and collegiate buildings — is one of the most beautiful historic town centers in Southern Germany. In December, this backdrop transforms into a Christmas market: around 50 decorated wooden huts and stalls along Marienstraße and in the pedestrian zone, Christmas lights, the scent of fir trees, mulled wine, and gingerbread.

Three Days of Festivities with Extended Opening Hours

Unlike some smaller Advent markets, the Ellwangen Christmas Market runs for three days with extended opening hours: Friday, December 4th, 2026, from 2 PM to 9 PM; Saturday, December 5th, 2026, from 11 AM to 10 PM (the longest market day until 10 PM); Sunday, December 6th, 2026, from 11 AM to 6 PM. This gives visitors time for a true Advent market experience — with evening mulled wine amidst the baroque play of lights.

Around 50 Stalls — What You'll Find

The market vendors offer a wide range of Advent products: handmade candles, knitted hats and scarves, wood carvings from the Black Forest and the Ostalb district, Advent decorations, nativity scenes, regional specialties (honey, sausage, cheese, ham), Advent pastries (Springerle, Lebkuchen, Stollen, Plätzchen), mulled wine, children's punch, bratwurst, crêpes, chestnuts, and candied almonds.

Supporting Program

Accompanying the market, a varied supporting program: choirs and brass ensembles on a stage at Marienplatz, Advent music in St. Vitus Basilica, a torchlight procession by local children, craft activities for families, a visit from St. Nicholas on Saturday or Sunday afternoon. The exact schedule will be published on ellwangen.de in the weeks leading up to the market.

Ellwangen in the Ostalb District

Ellwangen (Jagst) is located in the Ostalb district in Baden-Württemberg, on the border with Bavaria. The former Imperial Abbey and later Princely Provostry has a history of over 1,200 years. With St. Vitus Basilica (double-tower Romanesque), Ellwangen Castle (Renaissance), Schönenberg Church (Baroque), and the Stadtpalais Wagnerhaus, Ellwangen is one of the architecturally richest medium-sized towns in Southern Germany. The cityscape is a dense network of medieval, baroque, and classical styles.