Lichtermarkt Elmshorn
Sparkling Advent magic around St. Nikolai
2026
About Lichtermarkt
Lichtermarkt — edition 2026
The Lichtermarkt Elmshorn 2026 will again run from late November until Christmas Eve. The exact opening and closing dates will likely be announced by Stadtmarketing Elmshorn in late summer 2026 – traditionally, the market starts on the Tuesday or Wednesday before the 1st Advent and closes at noon on Christmas Eve.
Proven elements: festive opening with an angel performance, the sea of lights around St. Nikolai, the nostalgic carousel, and the family days with reduced prices for children.
Highlights Lichtermarkt 2026
Programme Lichtermarkt 2026
The 2026 program traditionally follows this structure:
- Opening in late November with a ceremony and angel performance, officially activating the lights
- Weekend concerts on the stage at the Old Market (choirs, brass bands, pop)
- Family days (Wednesdays) with reduced carousel prices for children
- St. Nicholas Day, December 6, with a visit from St. Nicholas and gifts
- Advent weekends with special programs
- Christmas Eve, December 24, with reduced opening hours from 10 am to 2 pm
The complete program will be published in late summer 2026 by Stadtmarketing Elmshorn on stadtmarketing-elmshorn.de.
Prices Lichtermarkt 2026
Practical information — Lichtermarkt
Getting There
By train to Elmshorn (regional/S-Bahn from Hamburg). 10-minute walk from the station to the Old Market. By car via the A23 (Elmshorn exit).
Admission
Free.
Opening Hours
Monday–Saturday usually 11 am–9 pm, Sunday 2 pm–8 pm. Family days on Wednesdays with reduced prices.
Address
Alter Markt around St. Nikolai Church, 25335 Elmshorn (Pinneberg District).
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.
Where it takes place Lichtermarkt
Lichtermarkt at a glance
History of Lichtermarkt
Edition 2025 Nov 2025Festivals similar to Lichtermarkt
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