Leipzig Christmas Market
Tradition since 1458 — Germany's second-oldest Christmas market, from November 24 to December 23, 2026, with over 300 stalls across 7 market areas
About Weihnachtsmarkt Leipzig
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Since 1458 — Tradition from Another Era
The Leipzig Christmas Market boasts an unbroken history dating back to 1458. It was then that Leipzig was granted market rights for a Christmas market — and the market has been held almost annually ever since. This makes it the second-oldest Christmas market in Germany, with only Dresden's Striezelmarkt (since 1434) being older. Today, the market is one of the largest and most popular Christmas markets in Central Germany — attracting around 2 million visitors per season.
November 24 to December 23, 2026 — 7 Market Areas
The 2026 market opens on November 24 at 5 PM with a festive opening ceremony on the Markt. The highlight is the illumination of the approximately 20-meter-high Christmas tree, decorated with about 300 red and gold baubles and around 3,000 lights. Spread across 7 market areas in the city center, over 300 stalls await. Open Sun–Thu 11 AM–9 PM, Fri/Sat 11 AM–10 PM. Last market day: December 23, 2026 (closed on Christmas Eve).
The 7 Market Areas and Their Specialties
Each market area has its own character: The central Markt is the heart of the event, featuring the Christmas tree, the main stage, and the Thomanerchor choir's stall. At the Naschmarkt, the medieval market 'Alt Leipzig' is recreated — with artisans in historical costumes, blacksmiths, potters, mead, and stone-oven bread. The Nikolaikirchhof is famous for its Feuerzangenbowle pyramid, a mulled wine variation particularly cherished in Leipzig. On Augustusplatz, the Fairy Tale Forest unfolds with many interactive stations and storytelling workshops, alongside the market stage with Santa Claus performances. Petersstraße is lined with stalls offering arts and crafts and jewelry, Salzgässchen features a historic carousel, and Roßplatz offers food and mulled wine stalls in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Leipzig Specialties
While you can find mulled wine and bratwurst elsewhere, in Leipzig, be sure to look out for local specialties: Leipziger Lerche (shortcrust pastry tarts with almonds and marzipan, a culinary tribute to the once-hunted songbirds), Leipziger Allasch (caraway liqueur, traditionally served with coffee), Erzgebirge smokers (many workshops have stalls), Saxon Christstollen (often at special bakery stalls with live demonstrations), and of course, mulled wine, Feuerzangenbowle, and egg grog.
Saxony, Leipzig, and the Advent Season
In Saxony, the Advent season is a core cultural experience — from the Erzgebirge smokers and the Christstollen tradition to the Christmas markets in the major cities. Leipzig embodies a unique blend of urban grandeur and tradition: While Dresden cherishes the older format with its Striezelmarkt, Leipzig offers a musical and cultural dimension. The Thomaskirche with the Thomanerchor, the Nikolaikirche (starting point of the peaceful revolution in 1989), the Gewandhaus with its Advent concerts — everywhere, the Christmas market merges with the cultural program. Visitors to Leipzig in December experience not just a market, but a city fully immersed in Advent.
Weihnachtsmarkt Leipzig — edition 2026
November 24 to December 23, 2026 — Tradition Since 1458
Four weeks of Advent magic in Leipzig's city center. The opening on November 24 at 5 PM with the approximately 20-meter-high Christmas tree (decorated with 300 red and gold baubles and around 3,000 lights) is one of the highlights of the Leipzig event calendar. Over 300 stalls across 7 market areas — from the central Markt to the side squares.
Highlights: the medieval market 'Alt Leipzig' at Naschmarkt with artisans in historical costumes, the Feuerzangenbowle pyramid at Nikolaikirchhof, the Fairy Tale Forest at Augustusplatz with interactive stations and storytelling workshops, and the historic carousel at Salzgässchen. Around 2 million visitors are expected.
Programme Weihnachtsmarkt Leipzig 2026
Program Leipzig Christmas Market 2026
Opening November 24
- 5:00 PM: Festive Opening on the Markt
- Illumination of the approximately 20-meter-high Christmas tree (300 baubles, 3,000 lights)
- Performance by the Thomanerchor with traditional Advent and Christmas carols
- Opening of all 7 market areas
The 7 Market Areas
- Markt — Main square with Christmas tree, stage, and Thomanerchor stall
- Naschmarkt — Medieval market 'Alt Leipzig' with artisans in historical costumes, mead, stone-oven bread, medieval music
- Nikolaikirchhof — Feuerzangenbowle pyramid as a landmark
- Augustusplatz — Fairy Tale Forest with interactive stations, storytelling workshops, market stage with Santa Claus performances
- Petersstraße — Arts and crafts and jewelry
- Salzgässchen — Historic carousel in the Belle Époque style
- Roßplatz — Food and mulled wine stalls in a more relaxed atmosphere
Special Program Highlights
- Advent concerts in the Thomaskirche and Nikolaikirche
- Performances by the Thomanerchor and chamber orchestra ensembles on the market stage
- Storytelling hours for children in the Fairy Tale Forest
- Visits from Santa Claus to greet children
- Stollen cutting ceremony (with live demonstration) in early December
- Advent concerts by the male choir on the market stage
Opening Hours
- Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 AM–9:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM–10:00 PM
- November 24 (Opening Day): 5:00 PM–10:00 PM
- December 23 (Last Day): until 9:00 PM
Detailed stage program and concert dates available at leipzig.de/weihnachtsmarkt.
Highlights Weihnachtsmarkt Leipzig 2026
- Second-oldest Christmas market in Germany (since 1458)
- 7 market areas in the city center
- Over 300 stalls
- Approximately 20 m high Christmas tree with 300 baubles and 3,000 lights
- Medieval market 'Alt Leipzig' at Naschmarkt
- Feuerzangenbowle pyramid at Nikolaikirchhof
- Fairy Tale Forest at Augustusplatz
- Historic carousel at Salzgässchen
- Thomanerchor performances at the opening
- Free admission
Prices Weihnachtsmarkt Leipzig 2026
Free admission. Prices at the stalls: Mulled wine approx. €4–€5, Feuerzangenbowle approx. €5, Bratwurst approx. €4, Stollen approx. €12–€15/500 g, smokers and crafts depending on the workshop and size. Carousel ride approx. €3.
Practical information — Weihnachtsmarkt Leipzig
Date
Tuesday, November 24 (Opening 5 PM), to Wednesday, December 23, 2026.
Opening Hours
Sunday–Thursday: 11 AM–9 PM. Friday and Saturday: 11 AM–10 PM. Opening day November 24: 5 PM–10 PM.
Location
Leipzig City Center — 7 Market Areas: Markt, Naschmarkt, Nikolaikirchhof, Augustusplatz, Petersstraße, Salzgässchen, Roßplatz.
Admission
Free admission.
Getting There
By train ICE/IC to Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, all market areas are within walking distance inside the city ring road. By plane to Leipzig/Halle Airport, take the S-Bahn S5 to the city center. Parking garages in the city ring are often full — Park & Ride is recommended.
Organizer
City of Leipzig.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Weihnachtsmarkt Leipzig al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Weihnachtsmarkt Leipzig
Markt und Innenstadt Leipzig
Markt, 04109 Leipzig