Lichtermarkt Elmshorn

Sea of Lights around St. Nikolai

The Lichtermarkt Elmshorn is a magnet during Advent in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region. Around the imposing St. Nikolai Church on the historic Old Market, thousands of lights transform the trees into a sparkling sea of lights. Elmshorn's award-winning city lighting gave the market its name and established its appeal: every year, more than 100,000 visitors attend the market between late November and Christmas Eve.

Wooden Stalls and Carousel

The market is characterized by a conscious return to tradition. Rustic wooden stalls are arranged in a closed formation on the Old Market, decorated with fir branches and fairy lights. Concerts, choirs, and readings alternate on the stages. A nostalgic carousel turns on the fairground side, attracting families from all over the region.

Organizers and Program

The Lichtermarkt is organized by Stadtmarketing Elmshorn e.V. in cooperation with the City of Elmshorn. The program alternates between classic Advent offerings:

• Handicrafts and regional products in the wooden stalls
• Mulled wine and Christmas pastries from Schleswig-Holstein
• Live music on the stage (choirs, brass bands, pop)
• Children's program with carousel and hands-on activities
• Family days with reduced prices for children at the carousel
• Festive opening ceremony with an angel performance

Region: Pinneberg District

Elmshorn is the largest town in the Pinneberg district and is located about 30 kilometers northwest of Hamburg in the state of Schleswig-Holstein. Its connection to the Hamburg Metropolitan Region makes the market a popular Advent destination for visitors from Hamburg as well. The Lichtermarkt is part of Elmshorn's winter program, which extends into the pre-Christmas and winter season with the Music Night and other events.