Name: Eichstätt Advent and Christmas Market 2026
Start: 2026-11-27T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-12-13T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Domplatz Eichstätt (vor Dom und Johanniskirche)

Weihnachtsmarkt Eichstätt

About Weihnachtsmarkt Eichstätt

The Eichstätt Advent and Christmas Market is the most charming Advent market in the cathedral city of Eichstätt (Eichstätt district, Upper Bavaria). It takes place on the Domplatz — directly in front of the baroque cathedral and the former St. John's Church, which together form an extraordinary Advent backdrop. For three Advent weekends (Friday to Sunday), visitors can expect a high-quality, small but excellent Advent offering with a high-quality music program and children's activities. An ice rink on the nearby Pater-Philipp-Jeningen-Platz complements the Advent atmosphere. In 2026, the market runs from November 27th to December 13th.

Dates 27 Nov — 13 Dec 2026

Venue Eichstätt (09176)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Weihnachtsmarkt Eichstätt — edition 2026

The Eichstätt Advent and Christmas Market 2026 runs on three Advent weekends from November 27th to December 13th, 2026 (Friday to Sunday each) on the Domplatz. Characteristic is the unique backdrop of the Cathedral and the former St. John's Church. High-quality music program, children's activities with Christmas tree decorating and stories, plus an ice rink on the nearby Pater-Philipp-Jeningen-Platz. Free admission.

The 2026 edition of the Eichstätt Advent Market runs over three Advent weekends:

1st Advent weekend: November 27–29, 2026
2nd Advent weekend: December 4–6, 2026
3rd Advent weekend: December 11–13, 2026

The venue is the Domplatz directly in front of Eichstätt Cathedral and the former St. John's Church. The late baroque architecture forms an extraordinary Advent backdrop with the bright sandstone of the facades.

During the market weekends, Advent concerts and musical contributions accompany the market atmosphere — brass ensembles, piano and choir music. The children's program items change between the three weekends: Christmas tree decorating, storytelling, craft activities.

A special feature of Eichstätt: parallel to the market, the ice rink on Pater-Philipp-Jeningen-Platz is open — ice skating for families right in the city center.

Highlights Weihnachtsmarkt Eichstätt 2026

Advent market directly in front of Eichstätt Cathedral on the Domplatz — Ice rink at Pater-Philipp-Jeningen-Platz parallel to the market — High-quality musical program with brass ensembles, choirs, and chamber ensembles — Children's activities with Christmas tree decorating and storyteller.

Programme Weihnachtsmarkt Eichstätt 2026

Three Advent Weekends

27–29.11.2026 (1st Advent weekend) — Market opening, start of Advent market weekends, ice rink opening
04–06.12.2026 (2nd Advent weekend) — Market continuation, Nikolaus program for children
11–13.12.2026 (3rd Advent weekend) — Closing weekend; Saturday, December 12th, from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM in a grand variation, Sunday, December 13th, similar

Program Contents (each weekend)

High-quality musical program — Advent songs, brass ensembles, choirs, small chamber music ensembles
Children's activities — Christmas tree decorating, storyteller, craft offerings
Food and drink stalls — mulled wine, punch, gingerbread, chestnuts, regional specialties from the Altmühltal
Craft stalls — nativity scenes, candles, wood carvings, wool products
Ice rink at Pater-Philipp-Jeningen-Platz — open continuously during the market

Prices Weihnachtsmarkt Eichstätt 2026

Free admission to the Advent market. Ice rink usage and skate rental at standard rates on site. Food and drinks at market stalls paid individually.

Practical information

Practical information — Weihnachtsmarkt Eichstätt

Getting There

Eichstätt is located in the Altmühltal, approx. 25 km north of Ingolstadt and 90 km north of Munich. By car via the A 9 (Munich–Nuremberg, Eichstätt/Beilngries exit) and the B 13. By train: Eichstätt Bahnhof (approx. 4 km outside) is reachable from Ingolstadt and Munich; the "Bahnhofs-Shuttle" leads into the city. The small Eichstätt-Stadt line is directly in the city center.

Admission

Free admission to the market. Mulled wine, food, and the ice rink are paid for on site.

Opening Hours

On the three Advent weekends (Fri–Sun) in November and December. In 2026 from November 27th to December 13th.

Accommodation

Hotels and guesthouses in Eichstätt; early booking is recommended during Advent.

Contact

City of Eichstätt, Domplatz 18, 85072 Eichstätt, Tel. +49 8421 6001-0.

Advent Market on Eichstätt Cathedral Square

The Eichstätt Advent and Christmas Market is one of the most beautiful small Advent markets in Southern Germany. Unlike the mega-markets in Nuremberg, Munich, or Augsburg, Eichstätt focuses on quality over size: a compact, high-quality curated market with craft stalls and a unique backdrop — the baroque St. Salvator Cathedral and the former St. John's Church, which frame the market's spectacle with their patina.

Eichstätt — Baroque Cathedral City in the Altmühltal

Eichstätt is located in the Eichstätt district in Upper Bavaria (Bavaria state), in the Altmühltal Nature Park. As a bishop's seat since the 8th century, the city is characterized by ecclesiastical architecture: the Eichstätt Cathedral (Diocese of Eichstätt), the summer residence of the Prince-Bishops, the former university, the Residenzplatz with the baroque Marian column, and numerous monasteries are part of the cityscape. With around 14,000 inhabitants, Eichstätt retains a small-town charm.

Three Advent Weekends — Friday to Sunday

The market does not run continuously but on the first three Advent weekends, each from Friday to Sunday. This concentration on the weekends — combined with its manageable size — creates a special Advent atmosphere, as the market is fully alive each weekend instead of being spread over four weeks.

Program Items and Children's Activities

High-quality music program — Advent songs, brass ensembles, small choirs, piano and string ensembles, often in combination with the Cathedral and St. John's Church
Children's activities — communal decorating of the Christmas tree, storytellers for children, hands-on activities at the city's stand
Food and drink stalls — mulled wine, punch, bratwurst, gingerbread, chestnuts, regional specialties from the Altmühltal
Sanitary facilities available — for a family-friendly visit

Ice Rink at Pater-Philipp-Jeningen-Platz

A special addition to the market is the ice rink at the nearby Pater-Philipp-Jeningen-Platz. It is open during the Advent season and complements the market visit with a sporting component — ice skating for families, students, and adults right in the center of the Advent city. This distinguishes Eichstätt from purely consumption-oriented Advent markets.