Wernigerode Christmas Market

Wernigerode — the colourful town by the Harz

Wernigerode rightly bears its nickname "the colourful town by the Harz": hundreds of half-timbered houses, the playful town hall from 1543, and Wernigerode Castle perched on a mountain spur form one of the most spectacular townscapes in Saxony-Anhalt. When snow trickles onto the roofs in November and Welfen Castle lights up in the glow of the lights, the Wernigerode Christmas market opens on the market square in the Harz district — completely transforming the already fairytale-like old town into an Advent picture.

Market Square, Breite Straße, Nicolaiplatz — three venues, one experience

The Wernigerode Christmas market extends over three central locations in the old town. On the market square in front of the town hall, the classic wooden huts stand close together — over 60 traders and caterers present traditional arts and crafts, regional specialities, and mulled wine in all variations. The stage in front of the town hall is the musical centrepiece: Christmas carols, brass bands, Advent music, regional bands.

Via Breite Straße, the path leads on to Nicolaiplatz, where the Wernigerode Gingerbread Forest awaits — illuminated Christmas trees, oversized gingerbread figures, and a special light installation create a lovingly designed area here, especially for families with children.

Filmhof in the Town Hall Courtyard

A Wernigerode speciality: the Filmhof is created annually in the town hall courtyard — a cosy open-air Christmas cinema (with patio heaters and blankets), where, alongside Christmas fairytale classics, Heinz Rühmann's "Die Feuerzangenbowle" is traditionally shown. A mug of mulled wine in hand, snow on your shoulders, a black-and-white film on the house wall — Advent romance straight out of a picture book.

Advent romance with Welfen Castle in the background

Look up, and you'll see the brightly lit Wernigerode Castle above the rooftops — one of the most visited castle complexes in Saxony-Anhalt. From the market square, you can reach the castle on foot in about a 20-minute climb or by the castle railway. Once at the top, you'll have a wide view over the snow-covered Harz, the Brocken silhouette, and the illuminated old town — one of the most beautiful winter views in the state.

More than mulled wine and bratwurst

Wernigerode understands upscale market character. The culinary selection ranges from classic bratwurst and potato pancakes to Harz specialities such as Bockwurst with mustard, Harzer cheese, and game dishes, to sweet classics: Schmalzkuchen (lard cakes), almonds, Schaumküsse (foam kisses), homemade gingerbread, and hot chocolate from the cauldron. The arts and crafts scene is dominated by Erzgebirge wood art, glassblowing, felt, ceramics, regional Advent wreaths, and handmade jewellery.

Wernigerode as an Advent destination

The Christmas market is the main attraction, but it's only part of a broad Advent programme throughout the town — Castle Advent, concerts in the St. Sylvestri Church, Advent exhibitions, Harz Narrow Gauge Railway with special trips to the Brocken. Anyone travelling to the Harz in Advent should plan a whole weekend.