Augsburg · Germany
Augsburg Christkindlesmarkt
Augsburger Christkindlesmarkt
23 Nov – 24 Dec 2026 Not confirmed
Official websiteDates and hours may change. Check them on the market's official site.
Key facts
| City | Augsburg |
|---|---|
| Country | Germany |
| Location | Augsburg, Germany |
| Dates | 23 Nov – 24 Dec 2026 Not confirmed |
| Opening hours | 23 Nov 2026: 18:00–21:30; Sun–Thu 10:00–20:00; Fri–Sat 10:00–21:30; 23 Dec 2026: 10:00–21:30; 24 Dec 2026: 10:00–14:00 (last day) (source: https://augsburgerchristkindlesmarkt.com/) |
| Official website | Official website |
| Map pin | 48.36880, 10.89820. Approximate location from the sources used for this page. |
About the market
The Augsburger Christkindlesmarkt is described as one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany, with roots going back to the 15th century. A city record of 1498 mentions a "Lebzeltermarkt" (gingerbread market). On 22 December 1498 the city council set out uniform rules for the stalls in front of the cathedral and at the Perlachturm, and the text speaks of selling "since time immemorial". A Lebkuchen market at the old town hall is documented again in 1527. Lebkuchen decorated with fair women and proud knights had been popular since the 12th/13th century, and together with early nativity scenes from Italy and festive wall decorations they were probably the best sellers. Until about 1800 the market also ran as the Nikolai-Markt, held on three days in Advent, where crib carvers from the village of Oberhausen sold their wares. In 1808 it was officially called the Weihnachts- und Christmarkt. It has officially been named the "Christkindlesmarkt" since 1949. Over the centuries it moved around the inner city, and it has stood on the Rathausplatz since 1963. It usually starts on the Monday before the first Advent and ends on 24 December. Since 1977 the "Engelesspiel" has taken place on Advent weekends at 6 pm, and also at the opening and closing. To Christmas music, 24 angels appear in the windows and on the balcony of the Rathaus, in costumes modelled on an altarpiece by Hans Holbein the Elder. The market also has a children's Christmas market, a fairy-tale street and a Christkindles post office. Its website says that since 2026 it has officially been among the 12 most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe.
Sources: Wikipedia. Some wording is drawn from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
About Augsburg
The sources say little about Augsburg beyond its Christmas market. The city lies in Swabia (Schwaben) and in Bavaria, and the market's website calls its Christkindlesmarkt the most beautiful in Swabia. The market has been held in many parts of the inner city over the years, which points to a compact historic centre. Landmarks named include the cathedral (Dom), the Perlachturm, the Merkurbrunnen fountain and the church of St. Anna. The Rathaus is described as splendid, and the Rathausplatz in front of it has been the market's home since 1963. Other places named are Maximilianstraße, Fuggerplatz, Königsplatz and Elias-Holl-Platz. In winter, the Christmas highlights are the Christkindlesmarkt itself and the Engelesspiel, in which angels appear at the Rathaus. The market also has a children's Christmas market, a fairy-tale street (Märchenstraße), a nativity scene (Krippe), a Christkindles post office and an Advent calendar. The sources give no details of the city's population, history or other attractions.
Sources: augsburgerchristkindlesmarkt.com · Wikipedia. Some wording is drawn from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Photos
AIA Labs publishes this page as an independent guide. It is not the market's own website.