Kaufbeuren Christmas Market

Allgäu Christmas City

Kaufbeuren is not called the 'Christmas City in the Allgäu' for nothing. The historic old town with its narrow alleys, the Fünfknopfturm (Five-Button Tower), the town wall, and the parish church of St. Martin create a backdrop that is perfect for an Advent market. The Kaufbeuren Christmas Market on Kirchplatz St. Martin is the centerpiece of this festive scene and is one of the most traditional Advent markets in Ostallgäu.

Market Atmosphere

The Christmas market opens on the first Advent Sunday and is open for almost four weeks until December 21st. Wooden stalls line the area around St. Martin's Church, illuminated by fairy lights and the glow of mulled wine stands. The stalls offer handmade Advent wreaths, blown glass from the Allgäu, knitted wool blankets and socks, wood carvings, leather goods, candles, homemade jams and cookies, incense figures, and Christmas tree decorations.

Allgäu Delicacies

The culinary offerings are dominated by Allgäu specialties: Käsespätzle, Allgäu mountain cheese, Bratwürste, Feuerwurst, mulled wine made from local wines, children's punch, almonds, and crêpes. Holding a glass of mulled wine in the cold Allgäu air while gazing at the lights of St. Martin's Church, one understands the special magic of this market.

Engele, St. Nicholas, and the Heavenly Postbox

The Kaufbeuren Engele is a tradition that officially opens the market every year on the first Advent Sunday. On December 6th, St. Nicholas himself visits and distributes small gifts to the children. A special attraction is the heavenly postbox: children can drop letters to the Christ Child into it—and they actually receive a reply.

Daily Stage Program

In the evenings, choirs, brass choirs, school ensembles, and local music groups take turns on the stage. Advent songs, traditional Allgäu music, classical Christmas pieces—the program is varied and makes the market a musical meeting point for the region.

Living Nativity Scene and Advent Concerts

Among the highlights of the Advent season is the Living Nativity Scene in Märzenburgwald on December 20th and 21st—a special reenactment of the Christmas story with real animals, actors, and musical accompaniment, which attracts thousands of visitors every year. In addition, there are Advent concerts in the parish church of St. Martin and in other churches in the city.

Kaufbeuren in Ostallgäu

Kaufbeuren is an independent city in Ostallgäu, in southern Bavaria, near the Alps. Its location between Munich (90 min.) and the Allgäu mountains makes it a perfect Advent excursion destination—a city tour, the market, a cup of mulled wine, and perhaps a short trip into the Bavarian Alpine foothills are part of the perfect Advent program.