Romantic Christmas Market Thurn und Taxis Palace Regensburg

A Palace as a Backdrop

The Romantic Christmas Market at Thurn und Taxis Palace has been one of Germany's most renowned Christmas markets since the 1990s. The setting is unique: the courtyard of St. Emmeram Palace in Regensburg — the residence of the Thurn und Taxis princely family and part of a baroque palace complex with over 500 rooms. When thousands of candles are lit on a November evening, the palace courtyard is bathed in warm light, and the Princely Christ Child opens the market from the grand balcony, it becomes one of the iconic images of the Bavarian pre-Christmas season.

Candles, Handicrafts, and Children's Magic Forest

The focus is on handmade goods from regional male and female artisans — from nativity figures, wood carvings, and glassblowing to jewelry and textiles. In the Children's Magic Forest, young visitors experience a self-contained fantasy world with nostalgic rides: a small steam train, a swing boat, a historic Ferris wheel, and a children's circus. Between the market stalls, music groups perform daily — ensembles like the Moosbach Brass Ensemble, 'Altbairisch Blech,' or soloists like Martina Rauscher are part of the regular cultural program.

The Princely Christ Child

A special feature that distinguishes the market from many others: The Princely Christ Child appears daily throughout the market season at 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 7:00 PM on the grand balcony of the palace courtyard, addressing visitors directly. The opening on the first market day is celebrated by the Christ Child — a theatrically staged appearance that has since achieved cult status.

Atmospheric Themed Evenings

Over the five market weeks, several themed evenings take place — the most famous being the Romantic Night of Lights, where the entire palace courtyard shines in special candlelight. Family Sunday, with reduced family admission and a special children's program, is also a regular feature.

Regensburg — UNESCO World Heritage on the Danube

The market is set within one of Germany's most beautiful old towns: Regensburg, the episcopal and university city in Lower Bavaria with its UNESCO World Heritage old town, St. Peter's Cathedral, and the historic Stone Bridge. Visitors to the Romantic Christmas Market often combine it with the Christkindlmarkt on Neupfarrplatz, the Lucrezia Market in the courtyard of the Thon-Dittmer Palais, and a stroll through the medieval alleys — one of Bavaria's most concentrated pre-Christmas scenes.

A Tradition with a Palace Courtyard Myth

The Romantic Christmas Market requires an admission fee — which distinguishes it from classic city Christmas markets. This protects the intimate atmosphere of the palace courtyard from overcrowding and allows for the elaborate staging and cultural program. With several hundred thousand visitors annually from all over Germany and Europe, it is one of the most visited paid Christmas markets in the country.