Winter in Hamburg offers a distinctive experience, with seasonal markets and events set against the Alster River. This guide provides essential details, including confirmed dates, opening times, locations, and local specialties.
Hamburg Christmas Market 2024
Dates – Confirmed
Hamburg Christmas Market dates: 25th November to 23rd December 2024 (confirmed).
Update: Dates were announced in July. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.
Source: Dates are obtained directly from the tourist office, available here.
Note: The following details are for the main event at the Town Hall. Scroll down for details on the other markets.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Rathausmarkt (Hamburg Town Hall).
Opening times: 11am to 9pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: Walking city tour with a local guide.
Public transport: Underground: Rathaus or Jungfernstieg.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion. Hopfenmarkt is nearby open air parking.
Where to stay: Tortue Hamburg is a popular hotel 6-minutes from the Town Hall.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free.
Santa: Yes. See the flying Santa Claus daily at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm.
Ice skating: Not at the Christmas market, but at Planten un Blomen Park.
Music: Wind quartet every day except Saturday.
Carousel: Historic carousel in the centre of this market.
Reason to visit: Historic setting, dedicated toy street for children, diverse food specialties.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Specialities: Hamburg Fischbrötchen, glühwein variations, local gingerbread, Spezialitätengasse baked treats.
Accessibility
Accessible: Fully barrier-free.
Pet-friendly: Dogs are allowed on a lead but not recommended.
Convenient Hotels
Centrally located, Hamburg’s Altstadt is your best bet for being close to winter events and attractions.
Tortue Hamburg is a top pick near Rathausmart, as it places you right in the heart of the city and gets excellent reviews.
Recommended Tours
For first-time visitors, this walking city tour with a local guide covers a lot of ground.
A city tour typically includes iconic landmarks and attractions, such as Speicherstadt, Binnenalster, and St Michael’s Church. However, this depends on the exact tour and the day.
These days, I much prefer food tours as a way to discover a city. This chocolate-based food tour is one of the most popular.
Read our German Christmas Markets List for additional places to visit this winter.
Event Location
Captured a moment that embodies the holiday season? Tag your photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets — we can’t wait to see your festive finds!
List of Markets
1. Historic Town Hall
Located at Hamburg’s Town Hall, this market is a seasonal favourite known for its diverse stalls. Enjoy traditional treats like mulled wine, gingerbread, and roasted almonds, and explore the dedicated toy street that captivates children. With over two decades of focus on sustainability and fair trade, it remains a key part of the city’s holiday season.
Town Hall Dates: 25th November to 23rd December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Rathausmarkt (Hamburg Town Hall).
Opening times: 11am to 9pm.
2. Gänsemarkt
Gänsemarkt has a village-like atmosphere with stalls resembling gingerbread cottages. Families can enjoy a variety of culinary specialties, including roasted nuts and gingerbread, alongside unique decorations and crafts. The market pays tribute to poet Lessing, with themed baubles and displays featuring his quotes.
Gänsemarkt dates: 21st November to 23rd December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Location: Gänsemarkt.
Opening times:
Market stalls: 11am to 9pm.
Food stalls: 11am to 11pm.
Sunday of the Dead: 24th November. Closed.
3. HafenCity
Just 800 metres from the Town Hall, the HafenCity market fills Überseeboulevard with festive lights and the scent of mulled wine and roasted almonds. Set in front of the Old Port Authority, it features curated stalls, a cosy lounge, and the unique Wintergolf attraction, where young golfers can play for free. This market combines tradition with family-friendly entertainment.
HafenCity dates: 18th November to 29th December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Überseeboulevard, HafenCity.
Opening times: 12pm to 8:30pm.
Sunday of the Dead: 24th November. Closed.
Christmas Eve: Closed.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Advent calendar: Opens daily in December at 6pm.
Accessible: Yes. Accessible toilet at Osakaallee 9. Barrier-free transport: U4 Überseequartier.
4. St Pauli
A unique twist on the traditional market, St Pauli blends a festive vibe with the edgy energy of the Reeperbahn. With its open-fire bar, the Winter Deck serves warming drinks, while the 18+ fir forest adds a playful touch. The Santa Pauli Strip tent has adult entertainment, and stalls feature the distinctive, unconventional goods typical of a Kiez, an urban neighbourhood known for its vibrant, eclectic character.
St Pauli Christmas Market dates: 11th November to 23rd December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Spielbudenplatz, St Pauli.
Opening times: 4pm to 9pm.
Sunday of the Dead: 24th November. Closed.
Accessible: Some parts of this market are not accessible and there is no accessible toilet. Barrier-free transport: U3 St. Pauli.
5. Nordic God Jul
A must-visit for fans of Scandinavian winter markets, set along Dietmar-Koel-Strasse at the Finnish, Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish seamen’s churches. A highlight is the Lucia concert at St Petri Church, marking the start of Advent with traditional Nordic songs.
God Jul dates: 15th to 17th November and 22nd to 24th November 2024 (unconfirmed).
Location: Ditmar-Koel-Straße 6, Portugiesenviertel.
Opening times:
Friday to Saturday: 12am to 7pm.
Sunday: 12am to 6pm.
Accessible: The Swedish market is fully accessible. The Finnish market is not.
6. Spitalerstraße
Spitalerstraße transforms into a winter wonderland each season, featuring one of Hamburg’s largest walk-in Christmas trees. Rustic stalls, styled in traditional Hanseatic brick, line the bustling shopping street.
Spitalerstraße Market dates: 21st November to 28th December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Spitalerstraße, City Centre.
Opening times:
Market stalls: 11am to 9pm.
Food stalls: 11am to 11pm.
Sunday of the Dead: 24th November. Closed.
Christmas Eve: Closed.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Accessible: Yes. Toilet: Lange Mühren street. Barrier-free transport: Central Station and U3 Mönckebergstraße.
7. Fleetinsel
Located on the Michaelis bridge, Fleetinsel offers a peaceful escape in the city centre, set alongside a picturesque canal that reflects the twinkling lights of the season. This market, near Stadthöfe, Grosse Bleichen, and Neuer Wall, provides a cosy, covered area, making it a serene spot for seasonal festivities.
Fleetinsel Market dates: 25th November to 23rd December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Location: Heiligengeistbrücke, City Centre.
Opening times:
Sunday to Thursday: 12pm to 9pm.
Friday and Saturday: 12pm to 10pm.
What to Expect
Hamburg’s winter markets are a mix of tradition and modernity, with historic squares transformed into lively hubs.
The ‘Historic Market’ on Rathausmarkt showcases vintage carousels and traditional crafts, while the ‘Santa Pauli Market’ on the Reeperbahn brings a unique twist, reflecting the area’s vibrant nightlife.
With over 20 markets across the city, each one offers a distinct experience, catering to a variety of tastes.
At the Food Stalls
- Stollen: Originating from Dresden, Stollen is a rich bread filled with dried fruit and nuts.
- Lebkuchen: These are similar in flavour to gingerbread biscuits.
- Marzipankartoffeln: Literally translated as ‘marzipan potatoes’, these sweet treats are small, potato-shaped marzipan dusted with cocoa powder.
- Feuerzangenbowle: A famous holiday drink that involves setting a rum-soaked sugar on fire, and the melting sugar drips into a pot of mulled wine.
- Glühwein: The German classic. You’ll find several variations in Hamburg.
- Schmalzkuchen: Small, deep-fried pastry balls served hot and dusted with icing sugar.
- Bratwurst: German sausage commonly served hot in a bun with mustard or ketchup.
- Flammkuchen: An Alsatian flatbread loaded with various toppings, like crème fraîche, onions and bacon.
- Belgian Waffles: An international treat, served with icing sugar, fruit, whipped cream, or nutella.
What to Buy
- Marzipan Treats: Originating from nearby Lübeck, marzipan confectionery is a popular gift choice.
- Ornaments: The market is filled with unique tree ornaments, many inspired by Hamburg’s famous landmarks, such as the Elbphilharmonie or the Speicherstadt.
- Handmade Crafts: Stalls exhibit the work of local artisans, showcasing a range of handmade crafts, from intricately carved wooden toys to unique, painted ceramics.
- Pyramids: A traditional decoration from the Erzgebirge region, Christmas pyramids consist of several layers depicting seasonal themes. The scenes slowly rotate when the candle heat turns a propeller at the top.
- Winter Clothing: Look out for hats, gloves, scarves, socks and jumpers.
- Glühwein Mugs: Collectable mugs available with glühwein and other hot drinks.
Sustainability Tips
- Use public transport: Hamburg has an efficient and eco-friendly public transport system, including buses, underground, and suburban trains. It’s well-connected and designed to reduce carbon emissions.
- Hamburg’s Green Network: Take advantage of the city’s network of green spaces, parks, lakes, and nature reserves.
- Support Local Producers: By purchasing locally made gifts, souvenirs, and meals, you directly support city artisans and small businesses.
- Adopt a plant-based diet: Many food stalls have vegetarian and vegan options, making it easy to try a more sustainable diet during your trip.
Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
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