Winter Market at Koppke Greetsiel

Winter Market Between the Years – An East Frisian Peculiarity

The Winter Market at Koppke fills a gap in the usual festival calendar: While Christmas markets nationwide close on December 23rd or at the latest on the 24th, a unique market opens its stalls here on December 26th (the second day of Christmas) – and remains open until the New Year. This is an East Frisian peculiarity related to the tradition of island and coastal communities: Even between the years, the village is full – with regular guests who spend the New Year's weekend on the island or on the coast.

Location: Am Koppke

The Koppke is a small square on the edge of Greetsiel harbour, deriving its name from the Low German word for "basin" or "bay". Historically, a small harbour arm ran here, which is now largely filled in. The square offers a wide view of the harbour basin and the anchored crab cutters and is lined with trees and seating. In winter, it becomes the centre of the market with covered stalls, a small illuminated fir tree, and fairy lights.

What the Winter Market Offers

• Mulled wine and punch from Greetsiel's own production
• East Frisian tea with rum – the North's answer to German mulled wine
• Smoked goods – fish and sausage from regional smokehouses
• Homemade cookies, gingerbread, stollen
• Sausages, potato pancakes, lard bread
• Handicrafts – small selection of jewellery, ceramics, woodwork by local artists

Atmosphere

The winter market has a completely different atmosphere than the Advent market in December. While the Lüttje Greetmer Wiehnachtsmarkt in early December is carried by the hectic pre-Christmas mood, the Winter Market at Koppke thrives on the tranquility of the days between the years. Many visitors come in a relaxed, almost melancholic mood – the old year is drawing to a close, the new one has not yet arrived. Those seeking peace and wanting to avoid tourist hustle and bustle will find the ideal festival form here.

New Year's Eve in Greetsiel

The winter market runs into the New Year – New Year's Eve is not officially celebrated at the market in Greetsiel, but the harbour district is a gathering point for many island guests on this evening who set off their New Year's Eve fireworks from the harbour quay over the Wadden Sea. On January 1st and 2nd, the market is open again, offering the last opportunity to round off the year in a relaxed East Frisian atmosphere.