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Anyone seeking a little holiday spirit should find their way to a classic German Christmas market – which is exactly why we traveled to Frankfurt in December. The Frankfurt Christmas Market is one of the best Christmas markets in Germany and the merriment is celebrated throughout the city!
Traditional wooden huts cluster together in picturesque squares. The heavenly scent of hot spiced wine and sizzling sausages hangs heavy in the air. Frankfurt Christmas lights line cobblestone lanes. It’s quintessentially Christmas – and the fairytale scene is everything we love about spending the holidays in Europe.
This article contains everything you need to know to visit the Frankfurt Christmas Market in 2023! In addition to the essential experiences, we include important details for the Christmas Market in Frankfurt – such as dates, times and a Frankfurt Xmas Market Map – at the end of the article.
About the Frankfurt Christmas Market
The Frankfurt, Germany Christmas Market is a magical event certain to inspire memorable Christmas moments. Origins of the Frankfurt market date to the year 1393 – making it one of the oldest German Christmas festivals.
The market developed as a way for locals to stock up on the necessities for winter. By the Middle Ages, however, mystery plays were being performed at the winter market – and by the 19th century, it evolved into the festive fair that it is today.
In fact, the Christmas Fair in Frankfurt, called the Frankfurt Weihnachtsmarkt or Kestermarkt Franfurt, is such a classic affair that it has been duplicated in other cities. The “Frankfurt Christmas Market Birmingham” in England is one of the largest German Christmas markets – outside of Germany and Austria.
Planning a European Christmas Market tour? Fantastic! We provide information about other famous German and European Christmas markets later in the article.
5 Essential Frankfurt Christmas Experiences
We were absolutely jazzed to be visiting Frankfurt at Christmas time! We spent three days at the Frankfurt Xmas Market – and are sharing with you our top experiences.
Pro Tip: We provide upcoming dates and answers to frequently asked questions in the next section.
Save, Pin or Bookmark our Frankfurt Christmas Market Guide to plan your trip to Germany!
#1 Sip Warm Gluhwein
It wouldn’t be a German Christmas Market without gluhwein…and there is no shortage of gluhwein at the Christmas Market in Frankfurt am Main. The specially spiced creation is served steaming hot in festively decorated mugs. The cup of cheer adds merriment to the occasion – and helps in the battle against the cold temperatures, too!
In addition to gluhwein, some vendors sell local craft beer and hot apple wine – a Christmas Market Frankfurt tradition! Feuerzangenbowle is as much fun to drink as it is to witness its preparation. The potent concoction, which translates to ‘fire tongs punch’, is made by setting fire to a large rum-soaked sugarloaf that hovers over the steaming pot of gluhwein.
Top Tip: Many places only accept cash and a deposit is required for the mug, which needs to be returned…or keep it as a Frankfurt Christmas Market souvenir!
#2 Visit All The Best Christmas Markets in Frankfurt
Unlike some holiday events that are confined to one area, the Frankfurt Christmas markets dot the city landscape. Christmas huts are set up in spacious squares, tucked into quaint courtyards and laid out along city streets. We simply stumbled onto many markets while sightseeing in Frankfurt – and found about others (like a rooftop market) by word of mouth. While we truly enjoyed each one of the Frankfurt Xmas markets, we selected a few as our favorites.
Romerberg Christmas Market
The Frankfurt main square, Romerberg, is the focal point of the holiday festivities – and shouldn’t be missed! The square is jam-packed with vendors selling gluhwein, German fare and traditional holiday gifts. The famous Frankfurt Christmas Tree and an old-fashioned carousel are also found on the main square.
Christmas Market in Paulsplatz
St. Paul’s Square in Frankfurt is the largest square in the city center and features even more market stalls than Romerberg. With several food options and shopping opportunities, strolling through Paulsplatz is a must. Personally, we’d go just for the singing moose!
City Beach Parkhaus Rooftop Xmas Market
Not easy to find, but well-worth the effort to locate it, the parking lot rooftop Christmas night market in Frankfurt is a hidden gem! Heavily focused on unique food and drink offerings, the real reason to go to the City Beach Xmas evening event is for the amazing Frankfurt skyline views!
Rosa Weihnacht Market on Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz
The “Pink Christmas Market” at Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz is rather small…and is decorated in all things…pink! The contemporary market features stalls selling hand-crafted wares, non-traditional food options and the best (and perhaps most potent) feuerzangenbowle we’ve ever tangled with!
Hauptwache
Located just steps from Frankfurt’s modern shopping street, the Zeil, Hauptwache Christmas Stalls may just lure you into some holiday retail therapy. Tucked beneath the bell tower of St. Catherine’s Church and across from the famous Cafe Hauptwache, the area is absolutely buzzing in merriment!
#3 Savor Classic German Christmas Fare
Visiting the Frankfurt winter market wouldn’t be complete without sampling traditional German cuisine. Indulging in at least one grilled sausage is a must – but sausages are not the only Frankfurt Christmas fare to consume at the market!
Frankfurter Rindswurst
If you are going to eat a sausage at the Frankfurt Christmas Market – and we highly recommend that you do – make sure to order a Frankfurter Rindswurst sausage. The beef sausage is best served on a bun, topped with mustard and washed down with glühwein, of course!
Reibekuchen
Reibekuchen – or potato pancakes – are one of our all-time favorite German Christmas market treats. Traditionally served with applesauce, we actually prefer our reibekuchen served with sour cream. The crunchy and creamy combination might just be a Christmas miracle served on a very flimsy plate!
Frankfurter Handkas Fondue
Handkas – or Hand Cheese – is a Frankfurt culinary classic. Using handkas in fondue, however, is a modern twist…and it’s delicious. Even better, Frankfurter Handkas Fondue is served in a festive reindeer mug with it’s own candle to keep it piping hot, making it irresistibly cute!
Flammkuchen
Germany’s version of pizza, Flammkuchen, has a thin, crispy crust and is traditionally topped with gooey melted cheese, onions and bacon. Flammkuchen also pairs perfectly with a steaming cup of mulled wine! Are you noticing a trend here?
Frankfurt Christmas Sweet Treats
Roasted almonds and gingerbread treats are popular sweets at many German Christmas city markets. That said, the Bethmannchen marzipan cookies are a specialty at the Christmas market in Frankfurt, Germany.
#4 Snap a Christmas Tree Selfie in Romerberg Frankfurt
The 100-foot-tall Christmas Tree that stands in front of Romer (City Hall) is an iconic symbol of Christmas in Frankfurt, Germany. Decorated with hundreds of lights and holiday bows, the tree dominates the square. Getting a photo taken with the towering tree is essential…but can be a bit tricky.
Because the tree is so large, it’s fairly easy to get an up-close selfie with the tree as the background. However, if you want your photo taken with the entire tree minus a sea of other people, there are a few spots that provide an opportunity.
The best places we found for a picture-perfect photo were: 1) Behind the Fountain of Justice in the center of the square; 2) Below Ostzeile behind the Carousel Ticket Office; and 3) In the lane leading south toward the river near Old St. Nicholas Church. Best of luck!
#5 Shop for Frankfurt Christmas Gifts and Souvenirs
In addition to the numerous food and gluhwein stalls, many vendors just sell gift items and souvenirs. In fact, the market’s history is rooted in Frankfurt Christmas shopping. The vendors at the market sell an array of goods – from homemade ornaments to wooden toys to local delicacies.
When Christmas shopping in Frankfurt, we recommend choosing products that are locally produced or regional specialties. For more top tips of what to buy at German Christmas Markets, you might want to check out this article.
Frankfurt Christmas Market Details
We have the answers to the most commonly asked questions about the Christmas Market in Frankfurt. Below you will find everything you need to know, whether you’ve been naughty or nice!
When Do Christmas Markets Start in Germany?
Dates for the most popular German Christmas Markets vary by location – but the Frankfurt Christmas Market dates are generally in the same timeframe from year to year. The markets typically open the last week of November and run until a few days before Christmas.
2023 Frankfurt Christmas Market Calendar
The dates of the 2023 Christmas Market in Frankfurt are November 27 to December 21. We also encourage you to check the official Frankfurt Christmas Market event page for any changes or updates to the Christmas Markets 2023 calendar.
What are the Frankfurt Christmas Market Opening Times?
Frankfurt Christmas Market 2023 hours are Monday through Saturday from 10:00am until 9:00pm and on Sundays from 11:00am until 9:00pm.
Quick View of Christmas Market Frankfurt Dates 2023
- Dates: November 27 through December 21, 2023
- Times: Monday to Saturday from 10am to 9pm; Sunday from 11am to 9pm
Where is the Frankfurt Christmas Market Location?
As we already mentioned, there are numerous market locations throughout the city. For the Christmas Market Frankfurt 2023 festivities, visitors will find markets in Romerberg, Paulsplatz, Mainkai, Hauptwache (and adjoining Rossmarkt) and Friedrich-Stoltze-Square.
In the past, there have also been Frankfurt Christmas night markets in Thurn-und-Taxis-Platz, City Beach at PBG Parkhuase Konstablerwache Rooftop and Paradiesplatz in Old Sachsenhausen.
Frankfurt Christmas Market Map
Use this link to Google to find all that is Merry and Bright at the Frankfurt Christmas Market 2023!
Are there Public Toilets at the Market?
There are free public toilets at Hauptwache train station. Paulsplatz also has toilets that cost €0.50 (look for the glass elevator box) as well as a few free portable toilets near each market.
What is the Weather in Frankfurt, Germany in December?
Yep, it will be cold in Frankfurt at Christmas time! Average temperatures for Frankfurt in December are around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to check the current weather forecast before your Christmas trip to Germany.
Are there Hotels Near Frankfurt Christmas Market?
When we were looking for where to stay in Frankfurt for the Christmas market, we realized the area is not that big and there are plenty of choices when it comes to accommodations. We share tips on where to stay in Frankfurt during the holiday season in the next section.
Best German Christmas Markets Near Frankfurt
Looking for more of the best Xmas markets in Germany? The Frankfurt am Main Christmas Market is just one of the German markets we have visited. We have also been to the Dusseldorf Christmas Market and Cologne Christmas Market – both of which we highly recommend!
However, there are several additional German Holiday Markets that are highly touted by fellow travelers. Find other Frankfurt Christmas Market reviews on TripAdvisor.
- Nuremberg Christmas Market – Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt Website
- Dusseldorf Market – Use our guides to Christmas in Dusseldorf and all the best Things To Do in Dusseldorf for sightseeing!
- Cologne Christmas Market – Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market Website
- Hamburg Christmas Market – Christmas Markets in Hamburg Website
- Aachen Christmas Market – See the Official Website
- Berlin Christmas Market – Website Use our 3-Day Berlin Itinerary to experience the best sights while you’re there!
- Dresden Christmas Market – Dresden Striezelmarkt Website Use our 3-Day Dresden Itinerary to plan your trip!
- Munich Christmas Market – Website Use our Munich Self-Guided Walking Tour to explore the city.
- Amsterdam Christmas Market – Yes, we know it’s in the Netherlands, but see why we think you should check out Amsterdam at Christmas!
Find more info about German Christmas Markets on the Germany Tourism Website.
Planning a Christmas Markets Frankfurt Trip
We have highlighted the Top Christmas Market Frankfurt Activities, but there is a lot more to Planning A Trip to Europe! Travelers visiting Frankfurt during Christmas time also need to plan how to get there, where to stay in Frankfurt for Christmas market fun and what to pack for the trip.
We are covering the basics by sharing our top tips, but you will need to keep track of the details. We recommend using our Printable Travel Planner – so that nothing falls through the cracks!
Frankfurt Tourism Office
The Tourist Information offices are a good place to get up-to-date info about the Frankfurt Weihnachten Market. The official Frankfurt Tourism Office has two locations, one at the Frankfurt Main Train Station and another on Romer Square. Visitors can buy maps, purchase the Frankfurt Card and book tours at the office.
However, our detailed article outlines an ideal Frankfurt Self-Guided Walking Tour – and it’s completely free and easy!
Getting to Frankfurt in December
Most travelers will find that it is fairly easy to get to Frankfurt for the Christmas Markets as it is a major hub of transportation. There are year-round flights from nearly anywhere as well as an excellent network of trains to Frankfurt.
To find the best fares on fights to Frankfurt (FRA), we recommend starting your search on Skyscanner. We offer more tips in our article, How To Find Cheap Flights.
To get from the Frankfurt Airport to Frankfurt Christmas Market is rather simple, as well. Just hop on an S-Bahn (S8 or S9) train from FRA Airport to the main train station, Frankfurt HBF. From there you can board a Tram or U-Bahn direct to Romer, or walk 20mins (but the immediate area around the train station isn’t very…festive).
Best Places to Stay for Christmas in Frankfurt, Germany
There are many hotels in and around the Frankfurt Old Town, however, finding affordable accommodations can be a real struggle during the Christmas Season in Frankfurt. We recommend booking your accommodations as early as possible to find the best deals. We share more tips for scoring the best places at the best prices in our Guide to Booking Hotels.
With a little effort, we managed to find available rooms at a cheap Frankfurt hotel that was located near the Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof Main Train Station – but it has since closed. What we liked best about the location was the convenience for catching our train to Paris at the end of our stay in Frankfurt.
Although not the nicest area, staying near the train station is convenient for travelers with plans to use the city as a base to visit the best Christmas markets near Frankfurt.
Whether you are looking for a Budget Hostel or Luxury Stay, start your search for Places To Stay in Frankfurt, Germany on Booking.com – like we do!
What to Pack For Your Trip To Frankfurt, Germany
We are sharing a few hacks for what to pack for your German Christmas Market Frankfurt trip. You can find all of our advice on our Packing Tips page – but get started with our FREE Packing Checklist.
Germany Weather Gear
The weather in Frankfurt in December can be downright cold. You will need more than gluhwein to stay warm in Frankfurt in winter! Make sure to pack a scarf, hat and gloves in your suitcase for your Frankfurt trip.
Best Shoes for Visiting Frankfurt Christmas Market
Frankfurt is a walkable city…but only if you have the right travel shoes! Don’t forget to pack a pair of lightweight and comfortable walking shoes for your vacation. I (Sarah) have traveled with these shoes by Columbia and Skechers. Kris prefers wearing these shoes by Merrell.
Travel Camera
Frankfurt, Germany at Christmas is a sight to see…and we’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos. Rather than relying on your mobile phone to capture the sights, upgrade to an actual camera for high quality photos.
We travel with a Canon Rebel (which takes amazing photos) and a Canon PowerShot ELPH (which takes beautiful pictures and is a slim and lightweight budget camera).
Frankfurt Map, Germany Guidebook and Day Pack
It’s easy to get turned around in any foreign place…especially after a few festive beverages! Make sure to have a good city map and/or guidebook before arriving in Frankfurt. Also, don’t forget to bring a great day bag to keep all your essential travel items organized and secure.
Travel Insurance for your Frankfurt Christmas Trip
Insuring your trip can protect against loses in unfortunate circumstances – like lost luggage or getting sick abroad. If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip, consider traveling protected with World Nomads.
Start planning your trip to Germany! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want more travel planning tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more information and tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
We want to know: Have you been to the Frankfurt Christmas Market? What would you add to our list of essential experiences? Have you visited other Christmas Markets in Europe? Give us your best tips and advice in the comments below!
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