Garz Christmas Market on Rügen
Family-friendly Advent market at the historic castle rampart of Rügen's oldest town
About Garz Christmas Market
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Garz Christmas Market al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Advent atmosphere in Rügen's oldest town
Garz on Rügen, located in the south of the island in the Vorpommern-Rügen district, is considered Rügen's oldest town. In the Middle Ages, the Slavic fortress on the present-day castle rampart was a center of power for the Rani — remains of the rampart are still clearly visible today and form the atmospheric setting for the Garz Christmas Market. When the stalls are set up and the lights are turned on on the 2nd Advent weekend, the castle rampart transforms into a small Christmas microcosm, far from the hustle and bustle of the Baltic Sea resorts.
What makes the market special
In contrast to the maritime Christmas markets in Binz or Sassnitz, Garz focuses on down-to-earth appeal: craftspeople from the surrounding area display wood carvings, knitwear, ceramics, and textile work, while regional producers offer smoked fish, homemade honey, jams, and sea buckthorn products. Mulled wine, punch, candied almonds, and Christmas stollen are naturally part of it, as are bratwurst and potato pancakes.
Program for families
A whole range of activities is aimed at children and families: a fairy tale forest invites wonder, a lovingly decorated fairy tale fountain and a festively decorated pyramid create Christmas magic. A carousel spins, a small animal enclosure houses sheep or ponies, and stories are read aloud in a fairy tale house. Santa Claus is on site on both days and entertains the little visitors all day long.
History and identity
The market is more of a village festival than a tourist spectacle — and that's precisely its charm. Those who want to experience the real Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, away from the main routes, will find an authentic Advent market with a long tradition in Garz, supported by clubs, schools, and the town of Garz on Rügen itself.
Garz Christmas Market — edition 2026
Advent Market 2026 at the Castle Rampart
In 2026, Garz on Rügen once again invites you to its small but fine Christmas market at the castle rampart. As is traditional, the market will take place on the 2nd Advent weekend — Saturday, December 5th, and Sunday, December 6th, 2026. The opening hours will follow the proven format of previous years: Saturdays from 11 AM to 10 PM, Sundays from 11 AM to 6 PM.
The historic setting of the castle rampart, a medieval rampart of the Slavic Rani, lends the market a special atmosphere. Around the festively lit stalls, crafts, regional products, mulled wine, and bratwurst await the guests. For children, there will again be a fairy tale forest, a pyramid, and the fairy tale fountain.
Programme Garz Christmas Market 2026
Program Structure 2026 (provisional, based on the proven format)
- Saturday, December 5th, 2026 — 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM — Opening of the Advent market, stalls open, fairy tale forest for children, visit from Santa Claus, stage program with choirs and local music groups in the afternoon, evening atmosphere with lights and mulled wine until 10 PM
- Sunday, December 6th, 2026 — 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM — Visit from St. Nicholas, children's program in the fairy tale house, further musical performances, closing
The detailed program (performances, Santa Claus times, readings in the fairy tale house) is traditionally communicated a few weeks before the event by the Garz on Rügen town administration. Current information at stadt-garz-ruegen.de.
Highlights Garz Christmas Market 2026
- Advent market in the historic setting of the castle rampart (Slavic rampart)
- All-day visit from Santa Claus on both days
- Fairy tale forest, fairy tale fountain, pyramid, and animal enclosure for children
- Regional crafts and specialties from the Rügen area
Prices Garz Christmas Market 2026
Free admission. Mulled wine and food at the stalls at the usual market prices (mulled wine approx. €4–5, bratwurst approx. €3–4).
Practical information — Garz Christmas Market
Getting there
Garz/Rügen is located in the south of the island, about 15 km south of Bergen auf Rügen. Travel by RE9 to Bergen, then take a bus to Garz, or by car via B96 and B196. The castle rampart is within walking distance of the town center.
Admission
Admission to the Christmas market is free.
Opening hours
Saturday 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Accommodation
There are a few guesthouses in Garz itself, with larger hotels in Bergen auf Rügen or at Putbusser See. Book well in advance during Advent.
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.
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Garz Christmas Market al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Garz Christmas Market
Burgwall Garz
Am Burgwall, 18574 Garz/Rügen