Cottbus Market of a Thousand Stars

About the Cottbus Christmas market in 2028

The Weihnachtsmarkt der 1000 Sterne brings lights and wooden stalls to the centre of Cottbus, the main city of Lusatia in southern Brandenburg. It is a market for the region more than for tour groups, with a relaxed pace, local food and seasonal crafts. If you prefer a smaller, friendlier setting to the big-city markets, it is a reasonable choice.

Our data lists the 2028 edition from Monday 27 November to Saturday 23 December, which is almost four weeks.

Dates in 2028: an estimate

No announcement exists for 2028 yet, so the dates are an estimate. The market usually starts on the Monday after Totensonntag, which falls on 26 November in 2028, pointing to Monday 27 November. The pattern also suggests an end on 23 December, which is a Saturday this year.

That makes the closing day a weekend day, and it may influence how the organiser plans the final days. Check the Brandenburg events calendar and the city's page once they publish the programme, and do not pay for non-refundable travel before then.

What to see and do

Cottbus rewards a day trip. The old town includes the Spremberger Turm and the Altmarkt, the Staatstheater is an Art Nouveau building that is worth seeing from the outside even without a ticket, and the Branitz Park with the Pückler pyramids offers a quiet winter walk. The surrounding region is the home of the Sorbian (Wendish) minority, so you may see bilingual signs.

Time your visit for the late afternoon so that you can see the park in daylight and the market after dark. Weekday evenings are calm, while Friday and Saturday evenings are busier.

Food and drink

Classic market food is on offer, and the region adds its own touches: Spreewald gherkins, potato dishes and linseed oil with quark. Restaurants in the centre serve hearty Lusatian and Brandenburg meals. In the weeks before Christmas, evening tables are in demand, so call or book ahead.

Getting there and where to stay

Regional trains connect Berlin and Cottbus in about one and a half hours, and the city has long-distance links too. From the station, the centre is reachable by tram or on foot. By car, the A15 is the main route, and parking in December can be limited.

A hotel stay in Cottbus is usually easier on the budget than in Berlin. For a weekend visit book early, and consider combining it with a stop in the Spreewald if you have a car.

Planning around public holidays and bridge days in 2028

The nearest Brandenburg holidays to this market are Reformation Day on Tuesday 31 October 2028, with Monday 30 October as a bridge day, and German Unity Day on Tuesday 3 October, both before the market opens. Within the market period itself there is no holiday; Christmas Day falls on Monday 25 December and Boxing Day on Tuesday 26 December, after the market has ended on Saturday 23 December.

The last weekend, Friday 22 to Saturday 23 December, costs one vacation day or none, depending on your working hours. The holidays on 25 and 26 December mean that Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 December, three vacation days, give you nine days off from Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 December, which allows a final market visit on 23 December before the festive break. Check that the market really closes on that date.

Tips and who it suits

The market suits couples and families who like a quiet, regional Christmas market. Bring warm clothing, carry some cash and check the official dates before booking. Because the 2028 schedule is an estimate, keep plans flexible until the organiser publishes the final opening and closing days.