Weimarer Weihnachtsmarkt — Weimarer Weihnacht

Weimar in Lights — Christmas in the City of Classics

When the first lights twinkle at the end of November and the scent of roasted almonds and stollen wafts through Schillerstraße, the Weimarer Weihnacht begins. The city of classics in the state of Thuringia, the independent city of Weimar, combines its Christmas market with its incomparable historical backdrop — from Goethe's former residence on Frauenplan, via the Goethe and Schiller Monument on Theaterplatz, to the historic Town Hall on the Market Square.

A Row of Stalls Across the City Centre

Unlike many Christmas markets, the Weimarer Weihnacht is not concentrated in one single square. The stalls line up from Theaterplatz across Schillerstraße, Frauenplan, the historic Market Square, and on to Herderplatz. This row of stalls shapes the cityscape and guides visitors almost like a city tour through the most important sites of classical Weimar. In front of Goethe's former residence on Frauenplan, there are arts and crafts stalls and mulled wine stands — a combination found nowhere else.

Ice Skating Under Goethe and Schiller

A special feature is the ice rink on Theaterplatz — right at the feet of the famous Goethe-Schiller Monument. Families, students, and tourists glide across the ice with the classical symbol of Weimar at their backs, accompanied by mulled wine, hot chocolate, and bratwurst from the surrounding stalls.

Town Hall as an Advent Calendar, Fairy Tale Hut for Families

The historic Town Hall on the Market Square transforms into a giant advent calendar: every Advent day, a new window is opened, accompanied by music, short readings, or small performances. Families are drawn to the Märchenhütte, which offers a daily programme for children — storytellers, craft activities, small theatre performances.

Musical Programme

In front of the magnificent Christmas tree on the Market Square, choirs, brass bands, and soloists perform daily. Concerts also take place in the Stadtkirche St. Peter und Paul (Herderkirche) and the Deutsches Nationaltheater — from classical Christmas concerts with the Staatskapelle to Advent choirs from the region. The Liszt University of Music and the Belvedere Music High School provide a large proportion of the young talent.

Bauhaus Christmas Market as an Additional Highlight

A second, smaller format complements the main event in 2026: the Bauhaus Christmas Market on 5 December 2026, celebrating the modernity of the city of classics. Additionally, there are smaller markets at the Bienenmuseum (Bee Museum) and in the courtyards steeped in classical history around the Market Square.