Weihnachtsmarkt Wasserburg Gebhardshagen

Castle Christmas on the First Advent

Few market days of the year create a sense of Advent as immediately as the Weihnachtsmarkt Wasserburg Gebhardshagen. The market takes place on the first Advent weekend of 2026: Friday 27th, Saturday 28th, and Sunday 29th November. The venue is the historic courtyard of the Wasserburg (moated castle), whose walls, towers, and bridges are adorned with fairy lights, fire pits, and fir branches.

Concept and Organizers

Behind the market is the Gemeinschaft Gebhardshagener Kaufleute in cooperation with the Wasserburg-Vereinigung (Castle Association), the local brass band, and clubs from Salzgitter. Unlike purely commercial markets, the Burgweihnacht (castle Christmas market) emphasizes handmade crafts, regional producers, and local gastronomy. The number of exhibitors is limited, giving the market a special character: it's less about quick business and more about encounters and gifts with provenance.

What Visitors Can Expect

• Craft Market – Ceramics, jewelry, felt work, textiles, wood carvings, nativity scenes, Christmas cards
• Regional Producers – Honey, jams, stollen, gingerbread, liqueurs from the northern Harz foothills
• Gastronomy – Mulled wine (Glühwein), Feuerzangenbowle (mulled wine with rum), candied almonds, bratwurst, potato pancakes (Reibekuchen), soups, vegetarian options
• Stage Program – Brass band, school choirs, wind ensembles, church choir
• Children's Area – Crafts, storytelling, visit from St. Nicholas (Nikolaus)
• Fire pits and illuminated moat for atmosphere

Getting There and Tips

The Wasserburg is centrally located in Gebhardshagen, a district in the west of Salzgitter. City buses stop nearby. By car: Take the A39 motorway, exit Salzgitter-Süd, then follow the signs. Due to the medieval architecture, sturdy footwear is recommended; cobblestone paths can be slippery when wet. The market is particularly suitable for families and lovers of historical settings.