Stendal Christmas Market

Advent Magic in the Hanseatic City

When the towers of St. Mary's Church and St. James' Church in Stendal are adorned with fairy lights in December, and the market square shines with its giant Christmas tree, one of the most charming Advent events in the northern Altmark begins: the Stendal Christmas Market. For four days, the Hanseatic city in the Stendal district, state of Saxony-Anhalt, opens its historic center for mulled wine, candied almonds, bratwurst, punch, and all sorts of Christmas cheer.

The concept is classic and precisely for that reason successful: around 30–40 traditional stalls are spread across the market square (Markt 1, directly in front of the historic town hall) — crafts, Christmas baked goods, wood carvings, glass art, honey, wax candles, gingerbread, nutcrackers, candle makers. Between the stalls are mulled wine stands, small snack stands with bratwurst, crêpes, potato pancakes, candied almonds, and of course, the classic: baked apple rings.

The highlight for children is the daily visit from Santa Claus at 3 PM — he comes with a big sack, distributes sweets, and poses for photos. For adults, the arts and crafts market in the historic town hall is particularly interesting: while the classic market activities take place outside, high-quality pieces are presented by local and international artisans inside. Particularly worth seeing are the Bohemian glass artworks and the typical Erzgebirge figures — nutcrackers, smoking figures, candle arches, pyramids. Additionally, a model railway exhibition showcases elaborately designed layouts, and at the stand of a Scandinavian fishmonger, flame salmon is prepared over an open fire — a culinary specialty that has become a Stendal market attraction in recent years.

The Rotary Club Stendal cultivates a special tradition: every year, they present the longest Stollen in the Altmark, which is sold to market visitors to benefit charitable projects. The record-breaking Stollen is located in the middle of the market and is a frequently photographed sight.

A Hanseatic City with Depth

Stendal itself, once a prosperous Hanseatic city with brick Gothic churches and Tangermünde gates, contributes to the charm of this Advent market. As you wander from stall to stall, you gaze at the mighty town hall with its Roland (Roland statue from 1525), at the late Gothic towers of St. Mary's and St. James', at half-timbered houses and brick Renaissance architecture. It is a historic ambiance that transforms the market from a mere place of consumption into an atmospheric urban space. The organizer is the Hanseatic City of Stendal through its event management; in the past, local clubs and the association for the promotion of tourism have also contributed.