Erfurter Weihnachtsmarkt
Visitors can wander past more than 200 decorated wooden stalls set before the historic backdrop of St. Mary's Cathedral and St. Severus Church. The market showcases local delicacies like Thuringian bratwurst and Erfurter Schittchen stollen, alongside handcrafted Erzgebirge folk art and pottery. Attractions include a 12-meter-tall Christmas pyramid, an expansive hand-carved nativity scene, carnival rides, and a fairy-tale forest.
What to Expect
Thuringia's largest Christmas market set against the historic cathedral backdrop.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Domplatz, Fischmarkt, Anger, Willy-Brandt-Platz
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Landeshauptstadt Erfurt, Stadtverwaltung
Food & Drink
Stalls offer Erfurter Schittchen, one of Germany’s oldest Christstollen, and traditional Thuringian bratwurst.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and christmas-market visitors
Vibe
Historic and festive
Energy Level
Moderate
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
High
Location
Know Before You Go
- Hours: Opening day (25.11): 10–21; Sunday–Wednesday: 10–20; Thursday: 10–21; Friday/Saturday: 10–22. Fischmarkt, Schlösserbrücke, Anger, and Willy-Brandt-Platz (Bahnhofsvorplatz): Monday–Sunday: 10–20.
- Parking: P+R parking is signposted on roads leading into the city; the city parking garages are typically very busy during the market. Visitors are advised to use public transport and P+R. Coach parking has separate arrangements.
Tips & Advice
- Use the signposted P+R sites and the tram rather than driving in, because the city-center garages are usually very busy during the market.
- Arriving by train, start at Willy-Brandt-Platz and walk about 15 minutes through the Anger and Fischmarkt stalls to Domplatz, or take the tram.
- Bring children to the Öko-Backstube to bake their own organic cookies without signing up, and note that baking starts earlier on weekends than on weekdays.
- Visit on an Advent Sunday to watch kindergarten children light the candles of the five-meter Advent wreath on the cathedral steps.
- Remember that the first-aid station and baby-changing room are on Domplatz next to the police post, near the underground garage entrance.
Special Events & Promotions
- On every Advent Sunday, children from local kindergartens light the candles of the giant Advent wreath on the cathedral steps, with a short program.
- This year's 'Florales zur Weihnachtszeit' exhibition in the Felsenkeller has the theme 'Eine Reise um die Welt'.
- The 'Mit dem Weihnachtswichtel unterwegs' tour, with an elf as guide, is booked separately.
- On the 'Weihnachtszeit – schöne Zeit' tour, Santa Claus, the Nikolaus or an angel guides you through the city. It's booked separately.
- 'Advent im Katerexpress' is a Christmas ride in the historic tram, booked separately.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I park?
P+R sites are signposted on the roads into the city, and they connect to trams and buses. A parking guidance system shows how much room is left in the city garages. Those garages are usually very busy during the market.
How do I get from the main station to Domplatz?
The market starts with huts on Willy-Brandt-Platz outside the main station. It continues across the Anger, the Schlösserbrücke, the Rathausbrücke and the Fischmarkt to Domplatz. The walk takes about 15 minutes, or the tram runs from the station via the Anger and Fischmarkt straight to Domplatz.
What is there for children?
Kids can ride the carousel and the Ferris wheel, and they can explore the fairy-tale forest by Erfurt artists Hannelore Reichenbach and Kurt Buchspieß. At the Öko-Backstube, children and adults roll out, cut and decorate their own cookies from organic dough. No sign-up is needed, and they can eat the cookies there or take them home.
What are the main sights on Domplatz?
Look for the 25-meter Christmas tree and the nativity scene with 14 near-life-size hand-carved figures from Oberammergau. There's also the 12-meter Christmas pyramid from the Erzgebirge and the 5-meter Advent wreath on the cathedral steps. Under the cathedral, the Egapark's 'Florales zur Weihnachtszeit' exhibition fills the historic Felsenkeller.
Is there first aid or a baby-changing room?
Yes. There's a first-aid station with a baby-changing room next to the police post on Domplatz, by the entrance to the underground garage.
More Christmas Events Near Erfurt
More Christmas Events near Erfurt
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.