Grand Christmas market of the Schlossstadt Montabaur with ice rink, Advent calendar at the town hall, nativity trail and a six-week Advent season
The Weihnachtszauber Montabaur is one of the most extensive and longest Christmas market concepts in the Westerwald region. For six weeks, the town centre of the Schlossstadt is transformed into an Advent wonderland with market stalls, an ice rink, a daily Advent calendar at the town hall, a Chemin de Crèches (nativity trail) between Horressen and Montabaur, and an extensive stage programme.
In 2026, the Weihnachtszauber will run from 27 November 2026 to 10 January 2027. The ice rink is open from 30 November to 22 December, and the stage is active from Thursday to Sunday. The nativity trail from Horressen to Montabaur can be visited until 10 January 2027 — an exceptionally long Advent offering.
The Weihnachtszauber Montabaur differs from most Westerwald Advent markets in its duration. While most markets span only one or two weekends, the Weihnachtszauber extends throughout the entire Advent season and well into January. This concept makes the market a permanent Advent centrepiece for the town, rather than just a one-off event.
The historic town centre of Montabaur, with its distinctive castle, the Großer Markt, Wilhelmstraße, and baroque squares, is festively illuminated and transformed into an Advent landscape with wooden huts. The entire townscape becomes a festive environment for six weeks — an experience that goes far beyond what a classic market event can offer.
A real attraction is the ice rink, open from 30 November to 22 December. In Montabaur, families, young people, and sports enthusiasts can skate outdoors — an experience rarely found in the Westerwald, offering particular value for family outings.
A lovely tradition is the living Advent calendar at the town hall: Every day in December at 5:00 PM, a new window front is ceremonially illuminated — a small but atmospheric daily event that brings the community together and creates daily anticipation during Advent.
A unique element is the nativity trail from Horressen to Montabaur. Along the hiking path between the two towns, nativity scenes from around the world are exhibited — a combination of hiking, Advent contemplation, and cultural experience, available until 10 January 2027.
From Thursday to Sunday, the stage in the town centre features concerts, choir performances, and Advent-themed entertainment. Local choirs, music associations, Advent concerts, and contemporary stage shows enrich the market weekends.
The Weihnachtszauber Montabaur 2026 runs from 27 November 2026 to 10 January 2027 — six weeks of Advent in the Schlossstadt. The town centre transforms into an Advent landscape with wooden huts, a stage programme, and festive lighting. Highlights include the ice rink from 30 Nov to 22 Dec, the living Advent calendar at the town hall with daily window openings at 5:00 PM, the nativity trail from Horressen to Montabaur, and the stage programme from Thursday to Sunday.
The detailed 2026 programme will be published by the City of Montabaur in the autumn. The structure follows the proven cornerstones of previous years: Opening on the first Friday of Advent, continuous market operation over six weeks, focus weekends with special stage programmes, and the nativity trail throughout the entire season.
The exact 2026 programme will be published by the organiser in the autumn. The structure follows the proven cornerstones of previous years:
Free entry to the market. Ice rink for a fee.
Friday 27 November 2026 to Sunday 10 January 2027.
Ice rink: 30 November 2026 to 22 December 2026. Stage programme: Thursday to Sunday. Nativity trail Horressen–Montabaur: until 10 January 2027. Advent calendar at the town hall: daily at 5:00 PM in December.
Montabaur town centre, 56410 Montabaur, Westerwaldkreis, Rhineland-Palatinate.
Free entry to the market. Ice rink for a fee (rates on the town's website).
By car via the A3 (Montabaur exit). Train: Montabaur station on the Cologne-Frankfurt ICE line. Parking available in the town centre car parks.
Comfortable shoes for the nativity trail from Horressen to Montabaur. Ice skates can be rented at the ice rink.
No photos yet. Share yours!
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Share your experience with the community.