Speyer Christmas and New Year's Market

51 Years of the Speyer Christmas and New Year's Market

With its 51st edition in 2026/2027, the Speyer Christmas and New Year's Market is among the oldest continuously held Christmas markets in the Palatinate. Founded in 1976, the market has become an integral part of Speyer's event calendar and shapes the cityscape for seven weeks.

Maximilianstraße Between Altpörtel and the Cathedral

The Christmas market stalls extend along Maximilianstraße — the historic axis of Speyer's old town — from the medieval city gate Altpörtel to the Romanesque Imperial Cathedral. Both endpoints are UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Cathedral as a World Heritage site since 1981, the SchUM site Judenhof as a World Heritage site since 2021. This backdrop — one of the best-preserved historic city centers in the Palatinate — gives the market a special atmosphere.

From November 23 to January 9 — The New Year's Market

Speyer's unique feature: the market doesn't just close on December 23rd, but continues beyond Christmas and New Year's Eve until January 9, 2027. This tradition dates back to the city's old market rights and makes Speyer one of the few cities in Germany with a true New Year's market. While stalls elsewhere are dismantled on Christmas Eve, the pre-Christmas and post-Christmas atmosphere in Speyer is maintained throughout the entire festive season.

Arts and Crafts Market in the Town Hall Courtyard

On the four Advent weekends (Fri–Sun), the offerings are supplemented by an arts and crafts market in the town hall courtyard and in Kulturhof Flachsgasse. Here, artisans from the Palatinate, Baden, and the region present their work: jewelry made of precious metal, ceramics, woodwork, textiles, paper art, leather goods. This market is documented in a separate fiche.

Partner Cities Market in the Town Hall

The partner cities' Christmas market takes place concurrently in the historic town hall — with stalls from Chartres (France) and Gniezno (Poland). Specialties, wine, crafts, and choirs from the partner cities are part of the program and contribute to the international flair of Speyer's Advent offerings.