Silesian Christkindelmarkt in Görlitz

Romance in Germany's Easternmost City

Few cities are as suitable for a Christmas market as Görlitz: 4,000 monuments from the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Gründerzeit periods, a compact old town where every step reveals a different era, and its location right on the Neisse River—Poland begins just across the Altstadtbrücke (Old Town Bridge). It is in this UNESCO World Heritage site that the Silesian Christkindelmarkt is set up year after year. The market is located on the Untermarkt and Obermarkt, framed by the Town Hall, Dicke Turm (Fat Tower), Hallenhäuser (hall houses), and Untermarkthalle (market hall), utilizing the size of the two squares for about 100 stalls as well as several stages and activity areas.

Silesia, Saxony, Bohemia — Culinary Tri-Border Region

Unlike most Christmas markets in Saxony, Görlitz focuses on its Silesian heritage and Bohemian neighborhood. You'll find Silesian Himmelreich (a plum and poppy seed dish), Mohnpielen (poppy seed pudding), Bauernbrot mit Schmalz (farmer's bread with lard), Silesian Lebkuchen (gingerbread), Polish Pierogi, Bohemian Hefekränze (yeast wreaths), and Trdelník alongside classic Saxon specialties like Stollen, Pflaumentoffel (plum figure), and Quarkkeulchen (quark fritters). The mulled wine selection includes not only Saxon Glühwein but also Polish 'grzaniec' and honey wine from the Giant Mountains. This mix makes the market a culinary journey of discovery for many visitors.

Görlitz Christkind and Children's Program

A special feature of Görlitz is the Görlitzer Christkind: Unlike Santa Claus or St. Nicholas, the Christkind appears daily on stage in golden robes, distributes small gifts, and strolls through the alleys. For children, there's also a lovingly designed program with picture book cinema in the reading tent, puppet theater, a nativity scene with live animals, a miniature railway, a carousel, and craft activities. The market is explicitly family-friendly and particularly geared towards younger guests.

Bridge Advent — The German-Polish Market

From December 11th to 13th, 2026, the Christkindelmarkt becomes the Bridge Advent: The market area extends across the Altstadtbrücke to Zgorzelec, and suddenly German and Polish stalls stand side by side. It is one of the few truly cross-border Christmas markets in Europe, and for many visitors, the most emotional moment of the program. Even outside this weekend, a hop across the bridge to Zgorzelec is worthwhile, where the Polish Christmas market offers its own unique atmosphere.

Ice Skating on the Obermarkt

Parallel to the Christkindelmarkt, the ice rink on the Obermarkt opens: From November 20th, 2026, to January 3rd, 2027, you can ice skate against the romantic backdrop of the old town. The rink has an admission fee, and skates can be rented on-site.

Görlitz in Advent

Görlitz in Advent is more than just the market: The city switches on its Christmas lights, many historic houses open their courtyards, concerts and services are held in St. Peter's Church, and film locations from 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' or 'Inglourious Basterds' can be rediscovered on a stroll—Görlitz is known as 'Görliwood' due to its intact architecture. The market thus serves as a starting point for a multi-day stay in Germany's easternmost city, in the Görlitz district of the state of Saxony.