As the capital and largest city of Rhineland-Palatinate, Mainz is brimming with centuries-old buildings, cobblestone streets and a vibrant cultural scene that grows more pronounced during the holidays.
Read below for the confirmed Christmas market dates, opening hours and regional specialities.
Mainz Christmas Market 2024 – One of the Best in the Region
Dates and Location – Confirmed
Mainz dates: 28th November to 23rd December 2024 (confirmed). Verify the schedule and other events here.
Location: Marktplatz.
Opening times:
Sunday to Thursday: 11am to 8:30pm.
Friday and Saturday: 11am to 9pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Admission: Free.
Lights: No switch-on date announced.
Santa: No.
Ice skating: Yes, at Mainzer Eisbahn.
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Yes, but limited.
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Reason to visit: Largest Advent calendar in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Food specialities: Mainzer zwiebelwurst and regional wines like the Spätburgunder and Riesling.
Where to stay: Erbacher Hof is an excellent hotel choice near Marktplatz.
Convenient Hotels
The Old Town district is the ideal base for your visit to Mainz. Erbacher Hof is an excellent choice in this area due to its location and top ratings from past guests.
Germany has many incredible winter destinations. Read my German Christmas Markets List if you’d like to add to your itinerary this year.
Event Location
What to Expect
Since 1788, the market has been situated among half-timbered buildings with a beautifully decorated tree.
Over 100 festively decorated stalls attract locals and tourists, selling everything from handmade crafts to seasonal foods.
Every year, the market hosts a visual Advent Calendar, with daily surprises revealed in the town hall windows.
An ice rink adds to the market’s appeal, while a live Nativity scene is another highlight.
Regional Specialties
- Handkäse mit Musik: A well-loved regional dish, it’s essentially a sour milk cheese served with onions.
- Spundekäs: A creamy cheese spread from the region, usually made with quark (similar to cream cheese), paprika, and onions. It’s often served with pretzels, making for a tasty snack as you explore the market.
- Handbrot: A savoury, rustic German bread stuffed with cheese and ham, then baked till the cheese is melted and the bread is crusty.
- Mainzer Zwiebelwurst: This is an onion sausage from Mainz. It combines pork, bacon, onions, and spices.
- Magenbrot: These small, sweet, glazed biscuits, flavoured with aniseed, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon, are a seasonal classic. Its name translates as ‘stomach bread’, owing to its original use as a digestive aid.
- Riesling: Of course, it wouldn’t be a visit to Mainz without a glass of Riesling, the region’s most renowned wine. It’s crisp and fruity and ranges from dry to sweet.
- Spätburgunder: In the colder months, some locals swap their glass of crisp Riesling for a more full-bodied Spätburgunder. The Rhineland-Palatinate region produces some excellent versions of this red wine.
- Bratwurst: A staple of any winter market.
- Lebkuchen: This traditional German-baked gingerbread-style biscuit.
- Glühwein: No winter experience would be complete without a mug of mulled wine. You can keep the mug as a souvenir or get your deposit back.
- Flammkuchen: Similar to pizza, this Alsatian flatbread topped with creme fraiche, onions and bacon is traditionally cooked in a wood-fired oven.
Sustainability Tips
- Consider staying in an eco-friendly hotel that uses renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind.
- Be mindful of energy use in your accommodation, and turn off lights and appliances when not in use.
- Bring your own reusable shopping bag to the market and other shops to reduce the amount of single-use plastic and paper bags.
- Try to eat a more sustainable diet by choosing plant-based options when eating out.
- Limit food waste by being mindful of how much you order and look for composting bins for any leftovers.
- Instead of relying on cars or taxis, take sustainable transport options like walking or cycling to get around Mainz. You can also use public transportation, such as buses or trains, with efficient systems to reduce your carbon footprint.
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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