Ulm Christmas Market

Ulm Christmas Market — Advent under the world's tallest church tower

When the lights on Ulm's Münsterplatz are switched on at the end of November, one of Southern Germany's most famous Advent seasons begins. The Ulm Christmas Market is one of Baden-Württemberg's most traditional Christmas markets and has been creating a special magic for decades through the combination of the Gothic Minster facade, festive lighting, and Swabian hospitality. You'll find a market experience here that is truly unique due to its setting — in front of the world's tallest church tower.

Münsterplatz and the Ulm Minster

The central venue is Münsterplatz, one of Southern Germany's largest city squares. In the background, the Ulm Minster rises with its 161.5-meter-high main tower — a world record, a Gothic masterpiece from the 14th–19th centuries. The approximately 130 market stalls frame the central area of the square, where the famous Christmas tree is erected: an over 20-meter-high tree with more than 18,000 LED lights, which becomes a selfie spot every year.

The Live Nativity Scene and Sheep Enclosure

A landmark of the Ulm Christmas Market is the live nativity scene with real sheep — a sight particularly for families with children. There is also a carousel for the little ones, a fairy tale forest, and the daily children's program with storytellers, craft activities, and musical contributions from local schools and choirs.

What You'll Find at the Stalls

The 130 stalls offer a classic Christmas market assortment of good quality: arts and crafts with wood carvings, wooden toys, glassblowing, leather goods, ceramics, jewelry, and natural cosmetics. Alongside this is Swabian Christmas cuisine: mulled wine in various variations (classic, white, berry, apple), Feuerzangenbowle, punch, Swabian Bredle (cookies), gingerbread, roasted almonds, crêpes, bratwurst, Käsespätzle, Maultaschen, Flammkuchen, Raclette bread. The high number of food stalls ensures that waiting times remain manageable — even on busy evenings.

Ulm and the Advent City

The Danube city of Ulm, with around 130,000 inhabitants, lies on the border between Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria (the city shares the Danube with Neu-Ulm in Bavaria). It is famous as the birthplace of Albert Einstein, for the Minster, and the medieval Fishermen's Quarter with its half-timbered houses by the water. The Christmas market attracts visitors from the Allgäu, Upper Swabia, Stuttgart, Munich, and all of Bavarian Swabia. Afterwards, a stroll into the Fishermen's Quarter or a visit to the adjacent Advent market on Weinhof is recommended.