Erfurt · Germany
Erfurt Christmas Market
Erfurter Weihnachtsmarkt
24 Nov – 22 Dec 2026 Not confirmed
SourceDates and hours may change. Check them against this source.
Key facts
| City | Erfurt |
|---|---|
| Country | Germany |
| Location | Erfurt, Germany |
| Dates | 24 Nov – 22 Dec 2026 Not confirmed |
| Opening hours | Domplatz: Eröffnungstag 10-21, Sun-Wed 10-20, Thu 10-21, Fri/Sat 10-22; Others: Mon-Sun 10-20 (source: https://www.erfurt-tourismus.de/veranstaltungen/hoehepunkte/erfurter-weihnachtsmarkt/) |
| Source | Source |
| Map pin | 50.97690, 11.02390. Approximate location from the sources used for this page. |
About the market
The Erfurt Christmas Market takes place every year during Advent in Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia, and is regarded as one of the largest Christmas markets in Germany. The 160th edition was held in 2010, and the 170th was cancelled for 2020. The market draws about 2 million visitors each year. Its main setting is the Domplatz, where the lit-up ensemble of Erfurt Cathedral and St Severus' Church (Severikirche) forms the backdrop. Branches of the market also spread through the rest of the inner city, across the Fischmarkt, the Schlösserbrücke and the Anger as far as the Willy-Brandt-Platz. In total, more than 200 wooden huts offer food specialities, handicrafts and Christmas accessories. Thuringian specialities are especially popular, including Thuringian bratwurst and the Erfurter Schittchen. The Schittchen was first mentioned in 1329, which makes it one of the oldest Christstollen in Germany. A 25-metre fir tree rises in the middle of the market. Since 2005 an eight-metre Christmas pyramid has stood at the entrance. Its five tiers show figures from Erfurt's history alongside Christmas scenes. Other attractions are a nativity scene with 14 nearly life-size, hand-carved figures and a fairy-tale forest (Märchenwald).
Sources: Wikipedia. Some wording is drawn from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
About Erfurt
Erfurt is the capital and largest city of the German state of Thuringia, with a population of around 216,000. It lies in the valley of the River Gera. Its old town is described as one of the best preserved medieval city centres in Germany. Landmarks include the Merchants' Bridge (Krämerbrücke), one of the rare bridges with houses built on it. On Cathedral Hill stand Erfurt Cathedral, which houses the world's largest free-swinging medieval bell, and St Severus' Church. Petersberg Citadel is one of the largest and best preserved town fortresses in Central Europe. The Old Synagogue, the oldest intact synagogue in Europe, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Jewish-Medieval Heritage of Erfurt, inscribed in 2023. The city was first mentioned in 742 and lies on the medieval trade and pilgrim road network of the Via Regia. The University of Erfurt was founded in 1379 and re-established in 1994, and Martin Luther studied there from 1501. Today the economy rests on agriculture, horticulture and microelectronics. Erfurt hosts the second-largest trade fair in eastern Germany and the children's channel KiKa. Its Christmas market takes place on the Domplatz, in front of the cathedral and St Severus' Church.
Sources: 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.