Ultimate Frankfurt Christmas Market Guide
Let’s head to the Frankfurt Christmas Market, where festive cheer fills the air and magical wonders await at every turn.
Nestled in the heart of Germany’s financial capital, this beloved market is a treasured tradition attracting millions yearly. With its vibrant atmosphere, twinkling lights, and enticing aromas wafting through the streets, this iconic event promises an unforgettable experience.
What everyone wants to know…
🗸what are the dates, times and locations of every Christmas Market in Frankfurt Germany
🗸which market is worth going to and what can I expect to find
Sound about right? OK, keep reading!
Whether you’re seeking unique gifts, indulging in delicious treats or simply immersing yourself in the joyful spirit of Christmas, the Christmas Markets in Frankfurt has something magical to offer everyone, and I cover it all in this article.
Table of Contents
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Frankfurt Weihnachtsmarkt Information
Covering all the basics to help you plan your Weihnachtsmarket (Christmas Market) visit.
For those solely visiting Frankfurt for the Christmas markets, a brief 15-minute walk from the Frankfurt main train station will lead you to Römerberg, the central location for the main Christmas market.
Here are the dates, times and locations for this year’s official Frankfurt Christmas Markets.
Frankfurt Christmas Market Dates
Frankfurt Xmas Markets is scheduled to take place from November 27 – December 21, 2023
Frankfurt Christmas Market Hours
Monday to Saturday from 10 am – 9 pm
Sunday from 11 am – 9 pm
Frankfurt Christmas Market Locations
Weihnachtsmarkt Frankfurt Römerberg 📍Römerberg
Which 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
Christmas Market in Germany Tips
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
The Germany Christmas markets are immensely popular to get you in the festive mood and find that special gift for yourself or a loved one.
Here are the gifts and souvenirs you can expect to find at a Christmas Market in Frankfurt.
- 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
History of the Frankfurt Christmas Market
Many European Christmas markets boast they are the oldest and most popular. So where does the Frankfurt market fit into this bold statement?
The market in Frankfurt traces back to 1393, which indeed makes it one of Germany’s oldest and most beloved holiday traditions.
Just when I thought the Dresdner Sriezelmarkt Christmas Market was old (at 1434!) this market is even older!
Every year, the Frankfurt market draws in more than 3 million visitors!
Set in Old Town against the backdrop of the iconic Römerberg and the surrounding streets there are over 200 stalls for visitors to enjoy!
With a massive Christmas tree, the sights, smells and sounds make this one of the most beautiful German Christmas markets I’ve been to. That festive atmosphere is copied all over the world, why else would you find a “Frankfurter Weihnachtsmärkte” in Manchester, Edinburgh, Leeds and Birmingham every year?
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Christmas Markets in Frankfurt
Weihnachtsmarkt Frankfurt Römerberg
The Weihnachtsmarkt Frankfurt Römerberg is the biggest market in the city. The 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 on Römerberg, which is a beautiful public square. The 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.
I spotted, rather my dog sniffed out, a booth called “Hunde Haus” 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?
Paulsplatz Market
You will find this extension right at Frankfurt Tourist Information offices next to St. Paul’s Church (Paulkirche) 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 of all kinds. Everything from liquor, candies, candles and of course honey condiments.
The coolest part is this building, which looks like it’s centuries old, gets delivered here every year from the family-run bee hive headquarters.
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 indulge in my glühwein and Eiserner Steg experience—an iron pedestrian-only bridge adorned with love locks.
From here, you can enjoy breathtaking views of 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 bustling shopping district, surrounded by modern buildings and the 17th-century St. Catherine’s Church.
Abundant market stalls selling everything from hot soup to cheese fondue, tempt your taste buds, making it essential to arrive with a hearty 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. While there is nothing here for sale other than food and drinks.
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 next 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.
Food + Drink at a Christmas Market in Frankfurt Germany
Throughout Germany, including the Christmas markets in Berlin, you’ll encounter a spread of traditional delights such as gluhwein, sausages, flammkuchen, lebkuchen, and more.
What adds a unique touch is the appreciation of regional specialties. In the Hessen State of Germany, specifically in Frankfurt, distinct regional differences appear in their delicious food and beverages.
At the market in Frankfurt keep your eyes open to try these local specialties.
- 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.
As a Holidaymaker
If you haven’t experienced the joy of Germany’s Christmas markets yet, you’re missing out on a bucket-list-worthy delight! The fantastically decorated huts at each Christmas market are a testament to the astounding amount of detail put into them.
Unexpectedly delightful, the Frankfurt Christmas Market became the perfect way to spend my last full day in Germany before returning home to Toronto after three months in Berlin.
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
