Esslingen Medieval and Christmas Market
Besucher erleben eine Zeitreise ins Mittelalter mit Handwerkern, Schmieden, Glasbläsern, Gauklern, Stelzenläufern und Feuerschluckern vor historischer Fachwerkkulisse. Auf dem traditionellen Weihnachtsmarkt bieten Händler Kunsthandwerk, Christbaumschmuck, Krippenfiguren und Spielwaren sowie Fahrten auf einem Nostalgiekarussell an. Ein abwechslungsreiches Kulturprogramm auf mehreren Bühnen sowie Märchenerzählungen im Zelt sorgen für tägliche Unterhaltung.
What to Expect
Mittelalterliches Markttreiben und traditioneller Weihnachtsmarkt mit rund 180 Ständen.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Old Town
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Esslingen Markt und Event GmbH
Food & Drink
Try special medieval-market fare as well as Christmas-market staples such as bratwurst and mulled wine.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and medieval-history enthusiasts
Vibe
Lively, historic, festive
Energy Level
Moderate
Budget
Free
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
High
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: No admission fee; voluntary cultural donation welcomed.
- Hours: Daily 11–20:30; Fridays and Saturdays until 21:30. Opening on November 24 at 17:00; sales start at 16:00.
- Parking: For cars, follow the parking guidance system to available parking It also provides coach drop-off and parking information.
- Accessibility: Barrierefreie WCs und eine Toilette für alle sind verfügbar, allerdings wird Rollstuhlfahrern vom Besuch an vollen Wochenenden abgeraten.
- Pets: Visitors are advised to leave dogs at home. If brought, dogs must be kept on a very short leash and wear a muzzle if required.
Tips & Advice
- Visit Monday to Friday for a relaxed stroll, since weekends are very busy and families with strollers and wheelchair users are advised against coming then.
- If you come in costume, leave toy swords and other show weapons at home, because all weapons, flags and bulky items are banned.
- Check the program boards at the entrances and stages, or pick up a daily flyer at the Stadtinformation, to catch the fire artists and acrobats.
- Come back on more than one Advent weekend for the Ritterstraße craft market, because the selection from its 30-plus makers changes each weekend.
- Take the S1 or a regional train to Esslingen station, about 15 minutes from Stuttgart main station. From the bus station, the Marktplatz is about a 10-minute walk.
Special Events & Promotions
- The Advent market in Ritterstraße runs on Advent weekends. Over 30 craftspeople take part, and the selection changes each weekend.
- The Lord Mayor officially opens the market on November 25.
- The Märchenzelt has free stories with no registration: Naceur Charles Aceval (ages 8+) November 27–29, Yussuf Ibrahim (ages 6+) November 30–December 4, and Pirolina (all ages) December 5–22.
- Guest acts include Zirkus Meer acrobatics December 1–4, Zirkus Krims Krams acrobatic fairy tales December 11–14, and the strongman Eisenhans December 15–17.
- Guest musicians include Gabino November 30–December 5, BraAgas December 6–11, Krless from Prague December 12–17, and Saboï December 18–20.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it very crowded on weekends?
Yes, weekends are very busy. For a relaxed visit, come Monday to Friday. Families with strollers and wheelchair users are advised not to come on weekends.
Can I bring my dog?
It's best to leave dogs at home. If you have to bring one, keep it on a very short leash, and use a muzzle where one is required.
Where are the accessible toilets?
Public and accessible toilets are at the Agneshof, which has a Toilet for All, in the Mittlere Beutau underpass, and at Café am Museum on Hafenmarkt. There is also a paid medieval latrine in front of the Old Town Hall, and a staffed toilet trailer on the Kleiner Markt where a donation is welcome.
Where can I find the day's program?
The daily program is posted on pillars at the market entrances and on boards at the stages. Flyers are available at the Stadtinformation and at the larger food stands. The program also goes online a day ahead.
Can I bring a costume sword or other props?
No. All weapons are banned, including show weapons. So are flags, bulky items and other dangerous objects.
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
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