The Christmas markets hidden within the Spreewald near Lübbenau are some of Germany’s most enchanting! Whether you visit by foot or by water, your experience is sure to be magical. Here’s everything you need to know about the Spreewald Christmas markets, including how to get there, how much it costs, and more!
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A Note From Claire …
Just an hour from Berlin, hidden within a maze of winding canals, river channels, and dense forest is one of the most unique Christmas markets in all of Germany.
Welcome to the Spreewald.
This protected biosphere was settled by the Slavic Sorbs and Wends in the 6th century, and their unique culture has been beautifully preserved in this small corner of the country. Street signs are posted in both German and Sorbian, menus feature hearty Slavic fare, and the traditional folk dress is often worn on holidays and for celebrations.
Last year I visited the Christmas markets in the heart of the Spreewald for the first time, and I’m already planning to return this year. The markets only run for two weekends of Advent, so planning your visit in advance is essential! Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your visit.
Happy Advent! ~Claire
Dates, Hours & Entry Fee
📆 2026 Dates: November 28th – 29th and December 5th – 6th
📍Locations: Großer Spreewaldhafen Lübbenau and Freilandmuseum Lehde
⏰ Opening Hours: 11am – 6pm
💶 Entry Fee: Applies to the Freilandmuseum Lehde only; the Christmas market at the harbor is free to enter. The museum market (my favorite one!) costs €9.50 for adults, €8 reduced, and €2 for kids 4 – 14 years old. (Note: You MUST book your tickets in advance online. There are no ticket sales at the door!)
How to Reach the Spreewald Christmas Markets From Berlin
Ride the RE2, RE7, or RE20 trains from Berlin to Lübbenau (Spreewald). You can book round-trip tickets through the Deutsche Bahn app or purchase a Deutschland Ticket or Berlin-Brandenburg Ticket online.
Once at Lübbenau station, you can walk to the harbor Christmas market in about 20 minutes or ride bus #661 to reach it in about 13 minutes.
From the harbor, the walk to Lehde open-air museum takes roughly 25 minutes. The wetlands in winter are gorgeous, so it’s a wonderful walk! You can also hop back on bus #661 and ride it to the “Lübbenau, Lehde” stop to reach the museum in just under 20 minutes.
But the most traditional (and magical!) route to the Spreewald Christmas market is via punt. The flat-bottomed boats have been used by the Sorbs to navigate the winding waters of the Spreewald wetlands for centuries.
Securing a highly coveted spot on one of these Christmas punts is fairly difficult. Ticket sales for the Christmas punts begin on September 1st and they sell out fast! You have to book a combination ticket online ASAP and show up to the harbor at the designated time. You’ll be served mulled wine on board and will get to experience the beauty of the Spreewald from its best angle — the water.
What to Expect at the Spreewald Christmas Markets (Honest Review!)
It took me several years of living in Berlin before I finally made the pilgrimage to the Spreewald to see its historic Christmas markets, and boy am I kicking myself for not going sooner! “Charming” is the best word to describe these quaint markets tucked away in the forested wetlands of the Spreewald biosphere.
The Harbor Christmas Market
The first Christmas market is located at the “Great Spreewald Harbor” (Großer Spreewaldhafen) on what’s nicknamed “Pickle Mile.” It reminded me of the weekly market that takes place here, just with a little extra holiday flair thrown in.
This market had small stalls selling the famous Spreewald pickles (fish one out of the big barrels for a quick snack!), beeswax candles and local honey, Christmas ornaments, and small items of decor. There was also a cute puppet theater with a group of kids watching the action with rapt attention, as well as two buttery soft alpacas in a stall decorated with evergreen branches.
The food options were fairly limited at this market, likely because it’s in the heart of Lübbenau’s Old Town, so there are plenty of brick-and-mortar restaurants nearby.
All in all, this market felt like more of a festive holiday waiting room for those who were lucky enough to score a seat on one of the punts heading towards the main Christmas market at the Lehde open-air museum.
It’s definitely worth visiting this Christmas market (and, really, you have to since it’s en route to the open-air museum), but it’s not one I think you need to dwell at for long.
The Christmas Market at the Lehde Open-Air Museum
The Christmas market at the Lehde Open-Air Museum is absolutely spectacular!
The stalls wind their way through the preserved 19th century buildings on the museum grounds, inviting visitors to pop into the historic buildings in between sips of Glühwein and rounds of gift shopping. Some of the old buildings are decorated for Christmas (in traditional Sorbian fashion, of course!), while others have stalls set up inside.
The first thing that hit me when I stepped into the Christmas market was all of the festive scents in the air. The path leading through the market is lined with straw, which smells sweet when stepped on, plus there were bratwurst being grilled, chestnuts being toasted, and wine being spiced and warmed up.
As I wended my way through the heart of the market, I was delighted to see that every item for sale was either produced in the Spreewald or handmade by artisans in the surrounding area. There was honey, mead, and beeswax candles being sold by Spreewald apiaries, organic goat cheeses, handmade soaps, knitted gloves and scarves galore, and plenty of Christmas decor.
And best of all, even the food was all regional! You could really feel the Sorbian influence when perusing the menus. There were various Glühwein flavors, hot spiced apple juice, solyanka (a thick, tangy soup), and blini (Slavic crepes). I even saw homemade Baumkuchen, which is a favorite German Christmas cake of mine.
Claire’s Tip: Most of the food options were located near the stretch of market by Entrance #2, in the fruit orchard. There were also additional food stalls near the farm garden (see the map on the museum’s website for reference).
I really can’t put into words how much I absolutely adored this Christmas market. It truly felt like I was stepping back in time! The museum put in so much effort to create a magical ambience — from the brass quartet playing Christmas carols to the artisans onsite hard at work to the Serbian Santa-esque figure “Rumpodich” who prowled the market with his wagon of nuts, knitted socks, and other Christmas gifts in tow.
Is the Spreewald Christmas Market Worth Visiting? Final Thoughts
I’m trying to think who the Spreewald Christmas markets wouldn’t appeal to, and I’m drawing a blank. The market at the Lehde open-air museum in particular is one-of-a-kind and an absolute must for anyone who loves historic reenactments, escaping into nature, and experiencing new cultures.
If you have any questions about visiting the Spreewald for Christmas, just leave me a comment below!
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