Stuttgarter Waldweihnacht

Waldweihnacht — Advent Market in the Forest

The Stuttgarter Waldweihnacht is one of Stuttgart's most unusual Advent markets. It is organised by the Haus des Waldes — the education and experience centre of the Baden-Württemberg forestry administration in Stuttgart-Degerloch — in cooperation with ForstBW and the Stuttgarter Forstdirektion. Unlike the large city Christmas markets in the city centre, the Waldweihnacht takes place in the middle of Stuttgart's city forest — a quiet, contemplative alternative to the loud, often overcrowded Advent markets.

Market Stalls with Forest Products

The market stalls present regional forest products and forest specialities: honey from local production, game sausage and game meat from Stuttgart's game population, forest tea, syrups and natural cosmetics, wood crafts and carvings by local forest and wood artisans, pinecone decorations, natural Advent wreaths, and much more. In addition, there are culinary offerings — mulled wine, punch, bratwurst, stick bread over an open fire, roasted almonds, crêpes, and children's punch.

Christmas Stories, Craft Workshops, Choirs

The supporting programme is aimed at families and children: Christmas stories are read aloud in the warm Haus des Waldes, craft workshops offer children the opportunity to make their own natural jewellery, star garlands, or pinecone animals. Choirs and music groups from Degerloch and the Stuttgart area perform Advent songs and brass music on a small open-air stage.

Haus des Waldes Degerloch

The Haus des Waldes is a modern education and experience centre of the Baden-Württemberg forestry administration with interactive exhibitions on forestry and the timber industry, nature trails, and a rich event calendar. During the market, the house itself is not regularly accessible (closed from December 4th to 6th due to the event), but the exhibition can be visited outside market hours.

Stuttgart-Degerloch — District on the Filder Plateau

Degerloch is one of the districts of the state capital Stuttgart, located on the Filder plateau south of the city centre. With around 16,000 inhabitants, Degerloch is an established residential area and houses several important Stuttgart institutions — Stuttgart TV Tower, Waldau Stadium, Haus des Waldes. The surrounding Stuttgart city forest is one of the largest contiguous forest areas of a German major city — and the natural backdrop for the Waldweihnacht.