Frankfurt Christmas Market

What the Frankfurt Christmas Market is

The Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt is one of the oldest and best known Christmas markets in Germany. It fills the historic heart of the city between the Römerberg and the Hauptwache, with wooden stalls, lights, the smell of mulled wine and the sound of brass music from church towers. For many visitors, it is a classic stop on a pre-Christmas trip through the Rhine-Main region.

The market has medieval roots and has been held in various forms for centuries. In recent years it has been organised on a scale that attracts visitors from far beyond Hessen.

Estimated dates for 2027

The 2027 market is listed from Monday 22 November to Wednesday 22 December 2027. This is an estimate: the organiser has not yet announced official dates, and the entry was derived from the pattern of earlier years, in which the market has opened on the Monday before the first Sunday of Advent. In 2027 the first Sunday of Advent is 28 November, which fits the Monday of 22 November.

Opening times, the closing date and any special days should be checked with the city or the market organiser once published. Do not make non-refundable bookings on the basis of estimated dates alone.

Atmosphere and character

The Frankfurt market stands out for its setting. The half-timbered fronts of the Römerberg, the baroque Paulskirche and the modern skyline in the background make a striking contrast, and the stalls spread through several squares and lanes, so you can walk from one themed area to another. Craft stalls offer ornaments, candles and wooden toys, while the food stalls fill the air with the scent of roasted almonds and spices.

Evenings and weekends are crowded, while weekday mornings and early afternoons are calmer. If you like to photograph the lights, go at dusk.

What to see, do and eat

Try Bethmännchen, the small marzipan pastries decorated with almonds that are a Frankfurt Christmas speciality, as well as Quetschemännche, the plum-man figures, Lebkuchen and Printen. Warm apple wine is a local alternative to Glühwein, and the stalls also sell sausages, potato pancakes and sweet crepes. Away from the market, you can visit the cathedral, the museums along the Main or the shopping street Zeil.

Children enjoy the carousel and the Christmas pyramid style attractions, and in the evening many visitors combine the market with a meal in a traditional apple-wine tavern.

Getting there and where to stay

The market is in the pedestrian centre, a few minutes from the main station by S-Bahn or U-Bahn. Take the line to Hauptwache or Römer and avoid driving: streets are busy and parking garages are expensive on peak days. Frankfurt airport has a fast S-Bahn link to the centre, making it simple to combine with a flight.

Hotels fill up in the Advent weekends, particularly the first, so book early. Offenbach, Mainz, Wiesbaden or Bad Homburg are alternatives within a short train ride.

Public holidays and vacation days in 2027

The market's estimated first day, Monday 22 November, and its last, Wednesday 22 December, both fall on a weekday. For a weekend visit, the Advent Saturdays and Sundays, 27 and 28 November, 4 and 5, 11 and 12, and 18 and 19 December, no vacation days are required. Hessen has no public holiday inside the window, since there is no Buß- und Bettag holiday there. Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 25 and 26 December, both fall on a weekend in 2027, so they give no extra day off.

The market suits couples, families and friends, and works well as a day trip. Dress warmly, bring a card as well as cash, and check the organiser's website for confirmed dates before you travel.

If you want to visit more than once, split your time: a daylight visit for the stalls and crafts, and a second evening visit for the lights and food. Keep in mind that the dates are only estimates, so check the closing day before you plan a trip to the last days.