Unterwegs – December 12, 2025

CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Legendary German Christmas markets! Picture fairy lights twinkling against the night sky, the aroma of Glühwein wafting through the air, and charming wooden stalls brimming with handmade ornaments, festive treats, and unique gifts.

VIKTORIANISCHER WEIHNACHTSMARKT

DEC. 13-14, GLOCKENGIESSEREI/STADEN, SAARBURG (NEAR TRIER)

Fans of Victorian times and Steampunk will love this extraordinary Christmas market taking place inside the old bell manufacturing hall in Saarburg and letting you step back in time. It invites you to enjoy a traditional Christmas around the year 1900 with British specialties, handcrafted items and antiques. The organizers will welcome visitors in traditional costume and German curling will round off the fun outside. http://ars-et-cultura.de/

CHRISTKINDLMARKT

UNTIL DEC. 23, ST. JOHANNER MARKT/CITY CENTER, SAARBRÜCKEN

The Christkindlmarkt in Saarbrücken is the longest shopping zone in the Saarland and the perfect setting to get into the season’s spirit. It offers visitors seasonal aromas, glittering ideas for gifts and delicious cuisine with dishes from France and Alsace along with typical Saarland favorites. A special attraction is Santa Claus on his sled with his reindeer and the Christ child hovering over the square once an hour.

WEIHNACHTSMARKT DER KUNIGUNDE

UNTIL DEC. 22, MARKET SQUARE, NEUSTADT/WEINSTRASSE

Hustle and bustle on the church square with nostalgic character, the market offers a diverse program, Christmas music, authentic culinary delights and handcraft. Jugglers and Swedish fires, stars sparkling everywhere, shooting stars and golden coins shining in the evening light. Visitors are advised to park outside of town center or even consider taking a train ride from the KMC.

MARKETS ONLY THIS WEEKEND

• Grünstadt Dec. 13 – 14
• Bitburg Dec. 10 – 14 (Wed-Sun)
• Castle Falkenstein (Winnweiler) Dec. 13-14
• Kusel Dec. 13 – 14
• Johanniskreuz/Romantic Forest Dec. 13 – 14
• Saarburg Dec. 13 – 14
• Schönenberg-Kübelberg Dec. 13 – 14
• St. Wendel with Medieval Market until Dec. 14
• Zweibrücken until Dec. 15

MARKETS IN/NEAR KMC

• Bad Duerkheim Nov. 29 – Dec. 23
• Bad Muenster/Ebernburg Nov. 30 – Dec. 22 (weekends)
• Bad Kreuznach Nov. 22 – Dec. 24
• Castle Falkenstein (Winnweiler) Dec. 14 – 15
• Deidesheim Nov. 29 – Dec. 22 (weekends)
• Freinsheim Nov. 29 – Dec. 22 (weekends)
• Kaiserslautern Nov. 21 – Dec. 23, Dec. 27 – 30
• KL Kultur Nov. 29 – Dec. 22
• Landstuhler Advent until Dec. 22 (weekends)
• Otterberg Nov. 30 – Dec. 21 (weekends)
• Steinbach/Glan Nov. 30 – Dec. 22 (weekends)

Markets in Luxembourg, France, Belgium, Netherlands

• Colmar Nov. 25 – Dec. 29
• Metz Nov. 21 – Dec. 30
• Strasbourg Nov. 26 – Dec. 24
• Wissembourg Nov. 28 – Dec. 21 (weekends)
• Luxembourg City Nov. 21 – Jan. 1, 2026
• Brussels Nov. 28 – Jan. 4, 2026
• Amsterdam/Ice Christmas Village Dec. 11 – 26

Other Christmas markets in Germany

• Aachen Nov. 22 – Dec. 23
• Ansbach Nov. 28 – Dec. 23
• Aschaffenburg Nov. 23 – Dec. 22
• Augsburg Nov. 25 – Dec. 24
• Baden-Baden Nov. 21 – Jan. 6, 2025
• Bad Bergzabern/Castle Dec.13 – 15
• Bad Dürkheim Nov. 29 – Dec. 22
• Bamberg Nov. 28 – Dec. 23
• Berlin Nov. 24 – Jan. 5, 2026 www.berlin.de
• Bernkastel-Kues/Mosel Nov. 22 – Dec. 22
• Cochem/Mosel Nov. 27 – Dec. 22
• Darmstadt Nov. 18 – Dec. 23
• Dresden Nov. 27 – Dec. 24 www.dresden.de
• Düsseldorf Nov. 21 – Dec. 30 www.duesseldorf.de
• Ettlingen Nov. 28 – Dec. 29
• Frankfurt  Nov. 25 – Dec. 22 www.frankfurt.de
• Freiburg Nov. 21 – Dec. 23
• Freinsheim Nov. 29 – Dec. 22 (weekends)
• Garmisch Nov. 22 – Dec. 23
• Hamburg Nov. 21 – Dec. 28 www.hamburg.de
• Heidelberg Nov. 25 – Dec. 22
• Karlsruhe Nov. 25 – Dec. 23
• Karlsruhe/Durlach (Medieval) Nov. 29 – Dec. 22
• Koblenz Nov. 24 – Jan. 7, 2026
• Köln Nov. 18 – Dec. 23 www.koeln.de
• Landau Nov. 27 – Dec. 22
• Ludwigshafen Nov. 8 – Dec. 23
• Mainz Nov. 28 – Dec. 23
• Mannheim Nov. 25 – Dec. 23
• Michelstadt Nov. 29 – Dec. 22
• München Nov. 25 – Dec. 24 www.muenchen.de
• Neustadt/Weinstraβe Nov. 25 – Dec. 22
• Nürnberg Nov. 29 – Dec. 24 www.nuernberg.de
• Pirmasens Nov. 27 – Dec. 22
• Potsdam Nov. 25 – Dec. 29 www.potsdam.de
• Regensburg Nov. 25 – Dec. 23
• Rothenburg o.d Tauber Nov. 29 – Dec. 23
• Saarbrücken Nov. 20 – Dec. 23 
• Saarlouis Nov. 20 – Dec. 23
• Speyer Nov. 27 – Jan. 7, 2026
• St. Martin Nov. 30 – Dec. 14 (weekends)
• Stuttgart Nov. – Dec. 23 www.stuttgart.de
• Traben-Trarbach/Underground Nov. 22 – Jan. 1, 2026 (Fri-Sun)
• Trier Nov. 22 – Dec. 22
• Wiesbaden Nov. 26 – Dec. 23
• Worms Nov. 20 – Dec. 23
• Würzburg Nov. 29 – Dec. 24
• Zell/Mosel Nov. 22 – Dec. 22

Please note that large cities often have several markets, see link mentioned or visit: http://www.weihnachtsmarkt-deutschland.de

Also check your “Amtsblatt” or posters and signs for markets in small villages not listed.

Illuminated Tractor Parade

DEC. 13, 5 P.M., UNION COMMUNITY RAMSTEIN-MIESENBACH

A parade with colorfully illuminated tractors will roll through the union community in the early evening. The parade starts in Miesenbach at 5 p.m. and will travel through all villages ending in Hütschenhausen. Don’t miss out on the fun if you live in or near Ramstein-Miesenbach, and invite your friends in the KMC!

The Nutcracker – Ballet in two acts

DEC. 17, 7 P.M., FRUCHTHALLE, KAISERSLAUTERN

Magical Christmas classic: Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” – on tour with a star-studded Italian ensemble. For over 100 years, Peter Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” has delighted audiences worldwide – and has become an integral part of the Advent and Christmas season. Now, a renowned Italian ensemble from the “cradle of European dance” is bringing this masterpiece of classical ballet back to the stage in a particularly loving production. The story is told of Clara, who, on the magical night of Christmas, experiences a wondrous journey into a world full of fantasy, adventure, and romance – with puppets that come to life, warring armies of mice, and an enchanting prince at her side. The production captures this timeless fairytale world and combines it with a sensitive touch of modern choreography and expressive stage language. Tickets at: https://nussknacker-klassisches-ballett.reservix.de/p/reservix/event/2400152.

ABTEIKIRCHENKONZERT, Solstice & Nordic Christmas

DEC. 21, 5 P.M., ABTEIKIRCHE, OTTERBERG

Solsnu – Solstice and Nordic Christmas, the Vocal Ensemble Nordic Voices from Norway will present an advent concert in the Abbey Church. In December, the sun is at its lowest point in Norway. It’s as if the pace of life in the cities, nature, and people slows to a minimum. One of Norway’s most famous songwriters, Halvdan Sivertsen, wrote in one of his songs: “Winter is long, but it doesn’t last forever.” At this time, people gather, eat, light candles, and wait for the sun to return over the mountaintops, awakening the world. This is “Solsnu”—an ancient Norwegian tradition that coincides with the Christian Christmas festival, making December a month rich in tradition. This richness is reflected in Norwegian music and in this concert with works by Lasse Thoresen (Solbøn, a prayer to the sun), lullabies, as well as contemporary compositions: the longing for light, the need for human connection, and the celebration of Christian history. Tickets at the Tourist Information, Hauptstrasse 54, Otterberg or online at https://www.reservix.de/tickets-solsnu-in-otterberg-abteikirche-otterberg

Christmas Days

DEC. 25 AND 26, GERMANY-WIDE

Both Dec. 25 and 26 are public holidays with all shops and offices closed. The same is true for most European countries. Many stores may also close early on Dec. 24 in preparation for Christmas Eve.

NEW YEAR’S DAY

JAN. 1, 2026, GERMANY-WIDE

Jan. 1 is considered a public holiday with all shops and offices closed, including Germany’s neighboring countries. Some stores and/or offices may also close early on Dec. 31 in preparation for New Year’s Eve.