Herrenberg Christmas Market

Advent Magic in the Half-Timbered Heart of Herrenberg

The historic market square of Herrenberg is one of the most beautiful in Southern Germany — framed by densely packed medieval half-timbered houses, the imposing Collegiate Church on the hill above, and the Renaissance-style town hall. When this square is filled with around 50 decorated Christmas stalls on the first weekend of December, it creates one of the most beautiful Advent backdrops in the district of Böblingen — and in the entire Stuttgart region.

2026 Program — Three Days of Advent

The 2026 edition runs from Friday, December 4th to Sunday, December 6th, 2026. The festive opening ceremony takes place on Friday at 4:00 PM in front of the town hall — led by Mayor Nico Reith, accompanied by a performance from the children's choir and a presentation of Christmas baked goods by Herrenberg bakers.

• Friday, December 4th: 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• Saturday, December 5th: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• Sunday, December 6th: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM

The weekend will be musically accompanied by the Herrenberg Music School (children's choirs, recorders, woodwind ensembles), the band black&white, a historic barrel organ in the market square, and brass choirs. Visits from St. Nicholas take place on Saturday and Sunday afternoons — particularly popular with families with small children.

Around 50 Stalls — Arts, Crafts, and Culinary Delights

The approximately 50 Christmas stalls are spread across Marktplatz and Seeländerplatz. The offerings are the classic mix of a good Southern German Advent market: arts and crafts (wood carvings, ceramics, jewelry, felt, glasswork), gift items, Christmas decorations, regional specialties (jams, honey, liqueurs, cheese), and of course, extensive culinary options: mulled wine (classic, white, non-alcoholic), children's punch, Maultaschen, Swabian bratwurst, crêpes, candied almonds, Lebkuchen, and Schmalzgebäck (lard pastries).

The Medieval Backdrop

What makes the Herrenberg Christmas Market special is its architecture. Herrenberg is one of the few Southern German towns whose medieval old town has been almost completely preserved. The half-timbered houses on the market square date from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, the town hall with its stepped gable is one of Württemberg's most beautiful Renaissance town halls, and the Collegiate Church with its crooked tower stands as a landmark above the town. When this backdrop is adorned with lights, fir branches, and snow (weather permitting), it creates an Advent atmosphere that is charming without being kitschy.