Famous for its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture and vibrant music scene, Leipzig holds a special allure for tourists, which is only enhanced during the festive season.
Read on for details on planning your visit to the Leipzig Christmas Market, including key dates, opening times, locations and local specialities.
Leipzig Christmas Market
One prominent feature is the giant Saxon spruce Christmas tree standing tall at the market square, beautifully adorned and lit, creating a warm, festive atmosphere.
The historical market houses approximately 300 stalls, a Medieval market, and a fairytale forest for the kids. An interesting highlight is the world’s largest freestanding Advent calendar in the windows of the old city hall.
Dates and Location
Leipzig Christmas Market dates: 26th November to 23rd December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Location: Marktplatz (Market Square), Augustusplatz, Naschmarkt and St Nicholas Square.
Opening times: Sunday to Thursday: 10am to 9pm. Friday and Saturday: 10am to 10pm. Closes at 8pm on 23rd December.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Admission: Free, no tickets required.
Christmas lights: Yes, switch on date: 26th November (unconfirmed) at 9pm.
Santa: Yes, on some days.
Ice skating: Yes, at Augustusplatz.
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Yes, but limited.
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, but not recommended.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Reason to visit: The 500-year-old market tradition makes Leipzig one of the oldest markets in Germany.
Recommended tour: A guided tour of the passages and alleyways of Leipzig Old Town.
Specialities: Lebkuchen, stollen, Thüringer sausage, glühwein, baumkuchen and Pulsnitzer pfefferkuchen abound in Leipzig’s festive market.
Where to stay: Steigenberger Icon Grandhotel is an excellent hotel 3-minutes from Marktplatz.
Convenient Hotels
To have the Christmas market at your doorstep, consider staying in the city centre of Leipzig, especially around the area of the Marktplatz.
For comfort, luxury and convenience combined, I recommend booking your stay at the Steigenberger Icon Grandhotel, situated ideally for a festive trip.
Event Location
Augustusplatz
The area of Augustusplatz is a square known for its holiday festivities. The area is transformed into a winter wonderland with a large ice skating rink, festive lights and a giant Christmas tree.
Augustusplatz Market dates: 26th November to 23rd December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Opening times: Sunday to Thursday: 10am to 9pm. Friday and Saturday: 10am to 10pm.
Location: Augustusplatz, Leipzig.
Event Location
What to Expect
This guide to the German Christmas Markets 2024 provides valuable information about the best markets, traditional food and drink and activities to enjoy across the country.
Regional Specialties
Sächsischer Sauerbraten: This marinated pot roast, usually beef but sometimes venison or pork, hails from Saxony. The meat is slow-cooked, making it tender and flavourful, while the unique sweet-sour gravy, often containing raisins, lends the dish its distinctive taste.
Quarkkeulchen: Quarkkeulchen are small, fried pancakes made from quark (a type of fresh cheese), potatoes, flour and eggs. They are typically sweet, sprinkled with sugar and sometimes served with apple sauce.
Leipziger Allerlei: This is a traditional Saxon vegetable dish from Leipzig. It includes carrots, peas, asparagus and morels, often enriched with crayfish or prawns. Leipziger Allerlei is an excellent choice for vegetarians.
Pulsnitzer Pfefferkuchen: These gingerbread cookies are a Saxony specialty, specifically from the town of Pulsnitz. They are soft and aromatic, spiced with cinnamon, anise, clove and nutmeg, and sometimes filled with jam or marzipan.
Saxon Potato Soup (Sächsische Kartoffelsuppe): A hearty and warming dish, this soup is made with potatoes and various vegetables like carrots and celery and often includes some type of sausage.
Gose Beer: Leipzig is known for its unique Gose Beer, a historic sour wheat beer style. It’s refreshingly tart and usually has coriander and salt added. Enjoy a glass as you explore the market.
Leipziger Allasch: A local speciality, Leipziger Allasch is a caraway aquavit. It’s a strong, clear spirit flavoured primarily with caraway seeds, giving it a distinctive herbal taste.
Leipziger Lerche: Named after the lark (Lerche in German), this is a pastry delicacy traditionally filled with a mixture of crushed almonds, nuts and a cherry.
Leipzig Linden-Taler: A beloved local sweet, the Leipzig Linden-Taler is a round chocolate piece with an image of the Leipzig Linden leaf.
Leipziger Räbchen: These are prunes stuffed with a marzipan filling and shaped to look like potatoes, served dusted with sugar. Leipziger Räbchen is a traditional Saxon delicacy.
Thuringian Bratwurst: At some point, you will likely smell the aroma of Thuringian Bratwurst. These sausages, known for their herbal flavour and fine texture, are grilled to perfection and served in a bun.
Dresdner Christstollen: It’s well worth sampling Dresdner Christstollen. It’s a loaf-shaped cake filled with dried fruit, nuts, and marzipan, covered with powdered sugar.
Lebkuchen: Look for heart-shaped Lebkuchen hanging from many stalls. These gingerbread cookies are often decorated with sweet icing messages and are as tasty as they are visually appealing.
Gebrannte Mandeln: Gebrannte Mandeln, or roasted almonds, are a popular snack you’ll find at the market. They are roasted in a sugar syrup until caramelised, resulting in a sweet, crunchy treat that’s hard to resist.
Glühwein: Many visitors enjoy a cup of glühwein to ward off the chill.
Kartoffelpuffer: Kartoffelpuffer, or potato pancakes, are common at market stalls. Crispy on the outside and soft inside, these are typically served with apple sauce and are a savoury delight, appealing to vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Just make sure they’re not cooked in lard if you’re vegetarian.
Pretzels: These classic twisted bread products, often sprinkled with coarse salt, are a well-known snack that originated in Europe and is now enjoyed worldwide.
Leipzig Regions is useful for anyone planning a trip to the city. It offers guides and recommendations for things to do, the latest events and where to eat.
Sustainability Tips
- Choose a hotel or accommodation that prioritizes renewable energy sources, such as one that uses solar or wind power.
- Reduce your energy usage by turning off lights and electronics when not in use.
- Minimise food waste by eating mindfully at the Christmas markets.
- Shop locally for gifts and decorations to support the local economy and reduce the carbon emissions associated with shipping.
- Opt for sustainable diets by choosing plant-based meals and reducing your meat consumption, which has a high environmental impact.
- Use sustainable transportation options such as walking, biking, or taking public transit instead of driving, which can help reduce air pollution and carbon emissions in Leipzig.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research.
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