Let’s head to the Frankfurt Christmas Market in Germany where festive cheer fills the air.
Frankfurt is best known as Germany’s financial capital city, but come the holiday season, it’s known for hosting a treasured tradition, the Frankfurt Weihnachtsmarket (Christmas Market), which attracts millions every year. A tradition that can be traced back to 1393, making it one of Germany’s oldest and most beloved holiday traditions.
This article will cover all the key information you will need to know like what are the dates, times and locations of every Christmas Market in Frankfurt Germany. I’ll also share other helpful tips after visiting them last year like what you can expect to find to eat, drink and shop.
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Important Information about the Frankfurt Weihnachtsmarkt
Frankfurt Christmas Market Dates
Frankfurt Xmas Markets is scheduled to take place from November 25 – December 22, 2024
Frankfurt Christmas Markets Hours
Monday to Saturday from 10 am – 9 pm
Sunday from 11 am – 9 pm
Frankfurt Christmas Market Locations
Weihnachtsmarkt Frankfurt Römerberg 📍Römerberg
(Includes: Paulsplatz Market, Hauptwache Market and Mainkai Market)
City Beach Market 📍Carl-Theodor-Reiffenstein Platz, 5
Rosa Weihnachtsmarkt (Frankfurt Pink Christmas Market) 📍Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz
TNT Weihnachtsmarkt 📍Thurn-und-Taxis-Platz 1
Pro Tip: for those solely visiting Frankfurt for the Christmas markets, it’s a 15-minute walk from the Frankfurt main train station to reach Römerberg, the central location for the main Christmas market.
The Best Christmas Markets in Frankfurt to Visit
Weihnachtsmarkt Frankfurt Römerberg
The Weihnachtsmarkt Frankfurt Römerberg is the biggest market in the city.
Set in the Old Town, over 200 Christmas market huts snake their way through the nearby streets which technically make up the Paulsplatz Market, Hauptwache Market and Mainkai Market.
The heart and soul of this market can be found in the public square called Römerberg. Tall, colourful, half-timbered buildings serve as the backdrop. As does a 30m tall Christmas tree decked out with 6,500 lights and a gazillion red bows. And, not to leave out the whimsical vintage carousel.
It’s one of the most beautiful German Christmas markets I’ve been to.
I spotted, rather my dog Henry sniffed out, a booth called “Hunde Haus” (Dog House) where he was graciously treated to homemade dog cookies in every flavour. So how could we not buy a bag of cheddar cheese cookies to take home for him?
The festive atmosphere of this Christmas Market is copied all over the world, why else would you find a “Frankfurter Weihnachtsmärkte” in Manchester, Edinburgh, Leeds and Birmingham every year?
Paulsplatz Market
You will find this extension right at the Frankfurt Tourist Information office next to Paulkirche (St. Paul’s Church) just north of Römerberg.
Right next to another vintage carousel, you will find Wagner’s Honighaus, a two-story half-timbered building filled to the brim with honey products. Everything from liquor, candies, candles and of course honey condiments. I bought some honey-scented shea butter body cream.
The coolest part is the building, which looks like it’s centuries old, gets delivered here every year from the family-run bee hive headquarters outside the city.
Mainkai Market
As you continue your stroll towards the Main River, you’ll encounter the next extension of this market.
Along the riverbank, dozens of stalls line the riverwalk, creating a picturesque setting. I intentionally saved this spot to buy my glühwein and enjoy it as I walk along the Eiserner Steg —an iron pedestrian-only bridge adorned with love locks.
It provides a great view of the city skyline. You will spot the Frankfurt History Museum and the Saalhofkapelle, a medieval 12th-century chapel
Hauptwache Market
Located south of Römerberg, the next extension of the market unfolds. This expansive modern square sits at the heart of the city’s busy shopping district, surrounded by modern buildings and the 17th-century St. Catherine’s Church.
I found this extension of the market a great place to eat. Market stalls sell everything from hot soup to cheese fondue, so bring your appetite.
Pink Chrismas Market
The Rosa Weihnacht, or Pink Christmas Market is a fun, LGBTQ-friendly market for after-work drinks. The lighting, decorations and even the Christmas trees are pink!
This small market is at Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz in the city center. The vibe here is more about the food and drink as it’s a popular place to meet up with friends and hang out.
Since I wasn’t able to experience this market myself, I asked fellow travel blogger, Kristin from Growing Global Citizens, to share her experience for this one and the Thurn und Taxis Palais market.
Kristen says…I swear the feuerzangenbowle glühwein I had here was the best of any market I had been to! It was fun to see the sellers make this “fire tongs punch”, as they had a raised platform with a giant bowl. They douse the large sugar cone with rum and set it on fire, which then drips down into the punch bowl.
The Pink Christmas Market features several large tents, so it’s a good market to choose if it is raining. There is plenty of space here to sit, eat, and admire the pink glow.
Thurn und Taxis Palais Christmas Market
This Christmas market sits in the courtyard of the classy Thurn und Taxis palace which was built starting in 1731. The white and brown palace is a beautiful, romantic backdrop for this small market.
This is not a market for shopping, but it’s right in the heart of the shopping district. Fellow travel blogger Kristen who lives in Stuttgart shares her experience. And, be sure to check out her amazing video of Frankfurt’s best markets.
Kristen says… the TNT market is a place to meet friends and enjoy the nightlife. A welcomed addition to the glühwein were the stands selling a variety of cocktails and long drinks. The vibe is very classy with purple lights and a huge sparkling Christmas tree in the middle. On a few dates, there are musicians performing, making this a great venue for a concert.
The market is open until 11 pm most nights, later than many others, so you can make the most of your time out here.
What to Expect to Find at a Christmas Market in Frankfurt Germany
Frankfurt Christmas Food + Drink Specialities
⚬ Almonds: Unable to resist the tempting aroma of roasted almonds, I made a stop at M. Eiserloh Süsse Mandelbar, a Frankfurt Christmas market institution offering over 50 different flavours. You can’t beat their classic, candy-coating on these almonds, making them a delightful and crunchy snack as you explore the market.
⚬ Apfel Wine: If you find the glühwein just a little bit more tasty than in other markets in Germany it might be because of the wine they use. A local specialty is Apfel wein (apple wine) which tastes like apple cider, but less sweet.
⚬ Brenten and Bethmännchen: Now, onto my favourite—marzipan cookies exclusive to Frankfurt. Brenten features marzipan pressed into moulds and baked, while Bethmännchen is a traditional treat with marzipan rolled into a ball and adorned with three half-almonds.
⚬ Handkas: Directly translated as “hand cheese,” this Frankfurt specialty is served in a festive mug, allowing you to dip bread for a delightful cheesy experience.
⚬ Rindswurst Sausage: Step aside, bratwurst and currywurst; in Frankfurt, savour the sizzle of a Frankfurter Rindswurst sausage crafted from beef served on a bun with mustard (my husband recommends it!)
⚬ Reibekuchen: A must-have for me at every Christmas market in Germany: golden and crispy potato pancakes served hot, paired perfectly with my favourite sour cream and chives. Other markets may call it Kartofflepuffers, but they are the same Christmas market classic.
General Tips for Visiting a Christmas Market in Germany
⚬ Bring cash! Some vendors may accept cards, but having cash is the best way to go!
⚬ Made in Germany! Make sure you are buying German-made Christmas gifts. How you can tell – price (you will pay more), the “made in Germany” stamp, and artisan business cards.
⚬ Regional specialties! Although most markets in Germany offer similar food, drink and gifts watch for regional differences.
⚬ Avoid the weekends! If possible, the weekends are the busiest, followed by the evenings. If you want a quieter Christmas market experience go during the day is the way to go!
Frankfurt Christmas Shopping Tips
⚬ Authentic German Christmas ornaments
⚬ Paper Stars with lights
⚬ Traditional German Christmas toys
⚬ Cozy Sheepskin slippers
⚬ Porcelain Christmas Village Figurines (known as Lichthäuser)
⚬ Artisan: wooden crafts, jewellery, knitwear, hats, pop-up Christmas cards, candles
⚬ Christmas Market mugs that come with your Glühwein (just don’t return your 5€ deposit)
⚬ Food + Drink: Lebkuchen hearts and cookies, homemade jams, chocolates and nuts, and liquor
How Does Germany’s Frankfurt Christmas Market Compare to Others?
Berlin has many Christmas markets, from the elegant Charlottenburg to the funky Kulturbrauerei, the capital city caters to diverse tastes and interests.
⚬ Read about the Christmas Markets in Berlin
While Dresden’s Striezelmarkt claims to be the oldest in Germany focuses on traditional Saxon crafts and holiday treats.
⚬ Read about the Christmas Markets in Dresden
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t experienced the joy of Germany’s Christmas markets yet, you’re missing out on a bucket-list-worthy experience! The fantastically decorated huts at each Christmas market are a testament to the astounding amount of detail put into them.
Unexpectedly delightful, this Christmas Market became the perfect way to spend my last full day in Germany before returning home to Toronto after living in Berlin for three months.
Explore my latest articles for a glimpse into Germany’s charm. Beyond the must-visit Berlin, discover delightful day trips to nearby cities such as Leipzig and Hamburg and gems like these that you will love:
- the ever so charming Quedlinburg known for its half-timbered houses
- the fairy tale town of Monschau
- the incredible brick gothic architecture of Lubeck
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