10 Exciting Christmas Markets In Frankfurt Germany 2023
Frankfurt bursts with charming Christmas markets, but for a tourist in the city, finding the best ones to visit and spend the holiday season in can be challenging.
As individuals who absolutely love checking out Frankfurt’s awesome Christmas markets every year, we have some fantastic recommendations to share with you to help make your visit enjoyable.
Rest assured that these markets not only embody the spirit of the season but also promise a truly memorable holiday experience in Frankfurt.
In this guide, we’ll delve into the top Christmas markets in Frankfurt, highlight the vibrant activities, showcase best-selling products, discuss transportation options, and share valuable tips for making the most of your visit to these enchanting markets.
Get ready to embrace the festive cheer in Frankfurt!
Top Christmas Markets in Frankfurt
Frankfurt, also known as Frankfurt am Main, gets all festive in winter, especially with its Christmas markets – some of the top ones in Germany, they say.
The delightful Christmas markets are mainly spread throughout the city center. But you shouldn’t miss the charming smaller markets in the north, south, and west parts of the city, too.
Each Christmas village has unique sights and holiday specialties that make it worth exploring during the festive season.
The Christmas Markets in Frankfurt City Center
The Frankfurt Christmas Market in the city’s historic center is one of Germany’s oldest and largest holiday markets.
It’s been around since the 14th century and has grown into a massive event sprawling from the Main River banks to Stoltze Square, Paulsplatz Square, Hauptwache, and the historic Römerberg Plaza.
They’ve got about 200 stalls here selling all sorts of stuff – food, wines, and souvenirs. We liked stopping by the stand selling traditional German nutcrackers as gifts.
And brace yourself because more than 3 million people crash into this place every year. It’s indeed a chaos of festive vibes and history.
Here are the Christmas markets in the center of Frankfurt that you shouldn’t miss.
Christmas Market in Römerberg Square
Römerberg Square in Frankfurt turns into this cool Christmas Market spot during winter. It has been the town hall center since the Middle Ages.
This is the place to be if you want to feel the German Christmas market vibe. There are historic half-timbered houses, giving the square such a festive and charming atmosphere.
In the middle and in front of the town hall, there’s this massive 30-meter Christmas tree, decked out with 6,500 lights and over 300 red ribbons – it’s legit sparkling.
And for families, don’t miss out on the flashy vintage carousel there. Your kids will surely enjoy riding on it.
You can also munch on German goodies like grilled sausages and roasted nuts or sip on their homemade Glühwein while checking out stalls selling all kinds of handmade decorations.
What we can best suggest to you is to visit their Bethmännchen stall because they sell these marzipan delights. It is a perfect treat for yourself or to share with loved ones during the holiday season.
Just a heads up: this square is super popular and can get really crowded, especially on weekends. We suggest hitting it up on a weekday morning if you don’t wanna deal with big crowds.
For artists out there, you can admire all the works and crafts on display at Römerhallen. It is a great place to check out.
The exhibition runs daily from December 2nd to the 22nd, with hours from 12pm to 8pm each day (it closes a little earlier on the 22nd at 6pm, though).
And if you’re looking for a more chill vibe, you can hit up Mainufer along the Main River – it’s less crowded.
Opening Hours
The dates to mark in your calendar are from November 27 to December 21, 2023.
They keep it rollin’ from Monday to Saturday, opening at 10 am and keeping the festive vibes going until 9 pm. Sundays, they ease into it a bit later, starting at 11 am and closing at 9 pm.
Cost of Entry
Feel free to visit the Christmas market because they don’t require an entrance fee.
How to Get There
If you’re at Central Station, we’d suggest taking the U-Bahn lines 4 or 5 to get to Römerberg Square. It should only be a 5-minute ride.
The trams can work, too, though – lines 11 and 12 get you there.
Either way works fine. Maybe the tram’s better if you want to take in more of the sights along the way. But the U-bahn is quicker if you’re just looking to get there directly.
Christmas Market in Paulsplatz
The Christmas market at Paulsplatz in Frankfurt is a lively and festive square right in the middle of the city.
This market is great for giving everyone a good dose of old-school and artsy stuff.
They’ve got some handmade nativity figures here that you definitely don’t wanna miss.
And over at St. Paul’s Church, they do this Artists’ Christmas Market, showcasing what the local artists are up to. You can snag paintings, photos, and other cool art pieces if you’re into that.
Paulsplatz isn’t just about art market stalls; they’ve got your stomach covered, too.
You gotta check out the Lion’s Club Glühwein if you want to warm up your body. We had a good quality Glühwein here that really hit the spot on a cold winter day.
And don’t miss out on Wagner’s Honighaus – this cool two-story stall near St. Paul’s Church.
You can find honey goodies such as fancy candles and flavored honey that make great souvenirs and treats for your loved ones back home.
Opening Hours
The Christmas Market at Paulsplatz is happening from November 27 to December 21,2023.
They’re open Monday to Saturday, starting at 10 am and wrapping up around 9 pm.
On Sundays, the market starts at 11 am and up until 9 pm.
Just a heads up, though – they’re taking a breather on Christmas Day, so plan your festive adventures accordingly.
As for their Artists’ Christmas market, it opens daily from November 22nd through December 22nd, from noon until 8 pm. Note that they close up early at 6 pm on the 22nd.
Cost of Entry
Entry to the Christmas market at Paulsplatz is free!
How to Get There
Getting to Paulsplatz is easy – hop on the U4, U6, or U7 subway lines, and your destination is Frankfurt (Main) Römer/Paulskirche. From there, it’s just a short 1-minute walk to Paulsplatz Square.
Christmas Market in Hauptwache
If you’re up for something different, take a stroll to the Hauptwache Christmas market. It has this old-school vibe that’s pretty neat.
It’s indeed a classic Christmas market scene, but what’s cool is that it’s right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of modern Frankfurt.
They’ve got these wooden stalls selling handmade stuff like nutcrackers, winter gear, Christmas decorations, candles, and yummy treats.
You can grab anything from hot soups to pretzel-shaped dog treats at the festive Christmas market stalls. They really have something for everyone to enjoy at this lively holiday destination.
Our favorite is sipping on a hot mulled wine while snacking on nuts to warm up on cold days.
And it’s right next to Zeil, the big shopping street in Frankfurt. It’s so convenient to pop into the shops after enjoying the market.
So, if you find yourself in Frankfurt around Christmas, Hauptwache Christmas Market is where it’s at for a mix of holiday vibes and some shopping therapy.
Opening Hours
The market’s up and running from November 27th to December 21st, kicking off at 10 am and wrapping up at 9 pm during the week.
On Sundays, though, it starts a bit later at 11 am but still calls it a day at 9 pm.
Cost of Entry
You can visit the Christmas market without spending a dime.
How to Get There
Just hop on S-Bahn lines S1 to S6, S8, or S9, and stop by Frankfurt Hauptwache Station. From there, it’s just a quick one-minute stroll to the Christmas market.
Driving is not recommended here due to traffic and lack of parking.
Pink Christmas Market at Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz
Check out the Pink Christmas Market, also called Rosa Weihnacht, at Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz this holiday season.
This one’s a good bet if you want a more low-key Christmas market in Frankfurt.
Forget the usual red and green Christmas theme; here, it’s all about pink decorations – think pink Christmas trees and flashy purple lights.
The market’s LGBTQ-friendly, but everyone’s welcome. It’s like a market within a market, with food stands, sales stalls, and handmade stuff.
This place really gets you into the holiday spirit. They’ve got live music playing and some goods you don’t usually see at holiday markets.
You gotta try their feuerzangenbowle, hot Apfelwein, and the strong mulled wine – those are really popular here.
They’ve also got these potato pancakes called reibekuchen that you eat with apple sauce, plus lots of tasty vegetarian and vegan foods.
Opening Hours
It’s open from November 22 to December 22, 2023, from 10 am to 9 pm on weekdays and 11 am to 9 pm on Sundays.
Cost of Entry
The Pink Christmas market has no entry fee, so feel free to visit!
How to Get There
Pink Christmas Market is located right in the center of downtown Frankfurt, making it easy to access by public transportation or walking.
The closest stop to the Christmas market is Frankfurt Hauptwache Station, just a short 330-meter walk from the square.
City Beach Christmas Market at Carl-Theodor-Reiffenstein-Platz
The City Beach Christmas Market (or City Alm, as locals call it during winter) is not part of the historic square but is located in the center of Frankfurt.
It is up on a parking garage rooftop, five floors above ground, giving you killer views of Frankfurt’s modern skyline and the old Dom Römer Church.
You’ll find this spot at Carl-Theodor-Reiffenstein Platz 5. It’s a bit tricky to locate, but worth the hunt.
This place isn’t your typical Christmas market for shopping sprees. It’s more about soaking in the atmosphere with some delectable food like fries and burgers.
And don’t forget to complement it with refreshing drinks such as the classic Moscow Mule and hot apple wine.
This place has two pretty nice pools. Make sure to get there early so you can snag yourself one of those prime poolside lounge chairs.
Opening Hours
The City Beach is open from November 8th to December 23rd, Monday to Friday, from 4 pm to 11 pm.
On Saturdays, you can swing by anytime between 2 pm and 11 pm, and on Sundays, it closes early at 9 pm.
Cost of Entry
If you’re planning to hit it up Monday to Friday before 5 pm or on Sundays, it’s on the house—free of charge.
But if you’re rolling in Monday to Friday after 5 pm or on a Saturday, they’ve got a €5 ticket price.
How to Get There
You can hop on the S-Bahn or U-Bahn since both swing by Hauptwache Station. After that, just take a laid-back 7-minute walk to reach the market.
CITYXMAS at Stiftstrasse
If you are looking for a new spot this year to get a taste of that unique Frankfurt charm during the festive season, head over to CITYXMAS at Stiftstrasse, right in the middle of Frankfurt.
It’s one of our favorite little Christmas markets, and it’s not too crowded, so you can really relax and enjoy the food, drinks, and atmosphere.
They’ve got 15 cozy huts dishing out Christmas market classics: Flammekueche (a thin-crust pizza with bacon, onions, and cream), crepes, and cevapcici.
And don’t forget the waffles and langos (fried dough topped with cheese and sauce) to munch on as you browse other stalls.
Pair those delights with Feuerzangenbowle, hot Christmas apple, Bombardino, and many more.
Opening Hours
CITYXMAS is cool because it kicks off nearly a month earlier than the fancy Frankfurt Christmas Market.
The market is up and running from Oct 28 to Dec 22, 2023, and they’re keeping the doors open from 4 pm to 11 pm from Monday to Thursday.
Fridays, they stretch it out a bit longer, till midnight. Saturdays kick off at 2 pm and go strong till midnight.
On Sundays, you’ve got time from 2 pm to 9 pm. Note that they’re closed on November 19th for Memorial Day and November 26th for Dead Sunday.
Cost of Entry
The CITYXMAS doesn’t require an entrance fee. So, feel free to visit the Christmas market!
How to Get There
The place you wanna get off at near CITYXMAS is Hauptwache Station. Just hop off there, and it’s a quick 6-minute walk over to the market.
International Christmas Markets in Frankfurt North
Frankfurt’s got more to offer during the holidays than just the big Christmas markets by the River Main.
Head up north, and you’ll stumble upon these cozy markets that really capture the neighborhood vibe.
So, make sure to witness the Christmas cheer at the spirited, heartwarming holiday markets of Frankfurt North.
Swedish Christmas Market
The Swedish Christmas Market happening in the north of Frankfurt is put together by the Swedish parish. It is one of our favorite holiday markets in the city.
You’ll see stalls here decked out with Swedish goodies – think Lapland bling, textiles, handicrafts, and more.
And for the food, they’ve got this princess cake (a mix of sponge cake, vanilla crème, and marzipan), fish, and cheese. They are a must-eat.
Oh, and you gotta try their iconic Swedish mulled wine, Glögg, served up with almonds and raisins.
They also have some good musical surprises here – great for checking out during the holiday season.
Opening Hours
It kicks off on the first Advent weekend (December 2-3), with Saturday hours from 11 am to 6 pm and Sunday hours from 12 pm to 4 pm.
Cost of Entry
You are free to visit the Christmas market and feel the Swedish festive vibe.
How to Get There
We’d say taking the U-bahn is probably your best bet to get there – it’s cheaper and not too complicated.
Just hop on the U-Bahn for about 19 minutes or so until you get to the Theobald-Ziegler-Straße stop. That’s gonna be the closest station to the parish hall where they got the market set up.
Of course, you could always grab a taxi if you want something more direct, but that’ll end up costing you a good chunk of change.
So unless you really don’t feel like dealing with public transportation, the U-bahn seems like the way to go.
Finnischer Weihnachtsbasar (Finnish Christmas Bazaar)
Experience a festive taste of Finland at the Finnish Christmas Bazaar in Frankfurt’s north during winter.
You can really feel the international Christmas market ambiance here because they offer a delightful array of Finnish traditions.
Make sure to dig into their flaming salmon and authentic reindeer soup. These dishes warmed us right up on a cold day.
And don’t pass up the opportunity to get a taste of that unique Finnish mulled wine they got called “Glögli.” That warm, spiced-up wine will definitely hit the spot during your holiday visit to this cool place.
You can even grab some souvenirs of their handicrafts for your loved ones back home.
The market is awesome, not just for adults but for kids, too. They will definitely be pumped here when they see the real Finnish Santa Claus himself making an appearance.
Opening Hours
They are open on the first Advent weekend.
So, on December 2, 2023, swing by anytime between 10 am and 6 pm, and on December 3, 2023, they are open from 11 am to 4 pm.
Cost of Entry
There is no admission fee!
How to Get There
The bazaar is happening at Dornbuschkirche. To go there, just hop on bus 64 from Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof (the low-level one).
Get off at Frankfurt (Main) Fallerslebenstraße bus stop, and it’s just a quick 10-minute walk to the bazaar from there.
Christmas Market in Frankfurt South
The holiday season is a magical time in Frankfurt, with charming Christmas markets spread throughout the city. One such market not to miss is located in Frankfurt’s southern part.
Christmas market at the Goethe Tower (Weihnachtsmarkt am Goetheturm)
The Sachsenhäuser Christmas Market at the Goethe Tower in Frankfurt is a nice spot for families during winter.
It gives a cozy vibe at the edge of the forest, and it doesn’t get all crowded and crazy like some of the bigger markets downtown.
Aside from its chill setting, there’s a carousel for the little ones to have fun and some fairy lights that give off a cozy glow.
But, you can’t go climbing the tower cause they shut it down for winter, but that’s no biggie.
You can munch on traditional yeast dumplings and sip on mulled wine while checking out some Christmas souvenirs.
One thing, though – it can get pretty muddy in here when it rains. So, make sure to wear some boots or shoes that you ain’t worried about getting dirty.
Opening Hours
The market is open from November 20th to December 22nd, 2023.
Feel free to drop by any weekday between 4 pm and 9 pm or on weekends from 1 pm to 10 pm.
Cost of Entry
You don’t need to buy any tickets to enter this Christmas market— it’s free!
How to Get There
You can take either the S-Bahn or U-Bahn and drop by Frankfurt (Main) Süd Station. Once you’re there, take a bus (line 48) to get to the market.
Christmas Market in Frankfurt West
When planning your holiday trip to Frankfurt this year, be sure to make your way to Frankfurt West to wander through some of the city’s most charming and cozy Christmas markets.
Christmas Market at Schloss Höchst
The Christmas market at Schloss Höchst in Frankfurt’s west is a festive tradition held annually on the first weekend of Advent. We had a solid time here.
So, if you’re looking for a nice break from the craziness of the city center market, this Christmas market is perfect for you. It’s in the old town with the castle looking over the River Main.
It’s not like the big Christmas market downtown – more like a low-key, traditional scene.
You’re in for a good time with trombones and jazz music, giving off a chill vibe. And you’ll also find stalls packed with handmade goods from artists all around the area.
Opening Hours
The Christmas Market at Schloss Höchsts is open on the 2nd and 3rd of December 2023.
They kick things off on Saturday at 1 pm, keeping the doors open until 10 pm. Sunday’s a bit more chill, starting from noon and wrapping up at 6 pm.
Cost of Entry
Feel free to visit the Christmas market!
How to Get There
The closest station to reach the Christmas market is Frankfurt-Höchst. You can take the bus, route 50, or hop on the S-Bahn and get off at Frankfurt-Höchst.
Just an 8-minute walk from there, and you’ll be at the market entrance.
Helpful Tips for Visiting Frankfurt’s Famous Christmas Markets
With so much to see and do at Frankfurt’s Christmas markets spread across the city, it helps to have a game plan to make the most of your visit.
Here are some tips for visiting Frankfurt’s Christmas markets:
Dress Warmly
German winters can be bitterly cold, with average winter season temperatures of about 3.7 °C (38.7 °F).
Make sure to bundle up with lots of warm layers, throw on winter accessories like hats, gloves, and scarves, and don’t forget those waterproof boots with solid traction for those icy sidewalks.
If you’re planning to hang out at the market for a while, those hand and foot warmers can really come in handy.
Find Accessible Lodging
Choosing the right hotel is key to maximizing your Christmas market experience.
Motel One Frankfurt-Römer is the perfect one for you. This chill motel is right smack in the middle of the historic Römer district.
Around the corner, you’ll find famous Frankfurt Christmas markets like the massive Weihnachtsmarkt at Römerberg and the traditional Handwerkskunst Weihnachtsmarkt.
It’s not just about the markets, though. The Main River, Dom/Römer shopping area, and the Museum Embankment are all within strolling distance.
Beware of Pickpockets
When you’re hitting up those bustling Christmas markets or any touristy spots, watch out for pickpockets.
Keep an eye on your stuff; maybe stash your cash in a pouch under your clothes. If you can, leave the pricey stuff locked up back at your hotel. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Check the Hours
The Römerberg Square market goes on every day from late November until December 23rd, but keep in mind that each stall has its own schedule.
If you swing by on weekdays, it’s usually a bit quieter. It’s best to double-check the opening times so you don’t miss any cool vendors.
Oh, and heads up, they shut things down a bit earlier on Christmas Eve and a few other specific dates.
Have Backup Indoor Options
German weather can be quite unpredictable, so it’s good to have some backup indoor plans for those days when it decides to pour or freeze.
Check out places like the Historical Museum Frankfurt, St. Paul’s Church, and the Old Opera House.
And if the weather’s being particularly stubborn, there are always plenty of cafes and shops around to duck into and escape the elements.
Use Public Transit at Night
If you’re hanging out at the Christmas market till late, think about hopping on public transport to get back instead of walking solo in the dark.
Frankfurt’s trains, both above and underground, are pretty reliable and cover most spots safely. It’s cool to roll with a small crew, too. Just stay sharp.
Summing up the Magic of Frankfurt’s Festive Markets
Frankfurt turns into a cozy winter wonderland when the holidays roll in, decking the city with Christmas markets scattered all around.
You’ve got your pick – artsy stuff to snag, live tunes to hum along to, and plenty of bites and sips to indulge in while soaking up the festive vibes.
Families can chill at the Swedish Christmas Market or hit up the one by the Goethe Tower. History buffs, on the other hand, can time travel at the classic Germany-style market sprawling across Römerberg Square and Paulsplatz.
And for those who like to party, there’s the trendy Pink Christmas Market. The whole city’s buzzing with that feel-good holiday spirit – definitely worth experiencing.
