• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
About Get In Touch Latest

Tall Girl Big World

Germany & Europe Travel

  • Home
  • Berlin
    • Berlin Itineraries
    • Neighborhood Guides
  • Germany
    • Cologne
    • Dresden
    • Düsseldorf
    • Frankfurt
    • Munich
  • Europe
    • Denmark
    • England
    • Greece
    • Italy
    • Scotland
    • Spain
About Get In Touch Latest
Home » Europe » Germany

What to Do, See & Eat at Leipzig’s Christmas Markets

By: Claire  On: October 8, 2023  Updated: November 20, 2024   Leave a comment

Leipzig is an underrated Christmas destination in Germany! During Advent, the entire city center is transformed into a Christmas market. Here’s a full guide on the Leipzig Christmas markets! 

This post contains affiliate links, from which we may receive a commission. You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

A tall Christmas tree surrounded by red and white-striped stalls at the Christmas market in Leipzig, Germany.

Leipzig, Germany is known for many things — for being a bustling trading hub during the reign of the Holy Roman Empire, for being the long-term home of composer Johann Sebastian Bach, and for being one of the major sites of the Peaceful Revolution in 1989, which led to the fall of the Berlin Wall. 

Admittedly, what Leipzig is not known for are its Christmas markets. But since Leipzig is one of my all-time favorite day trips from Berlin, I decided to visit during Advent to see if the city’s Christmas markets are up to snuff. 

As it turns out, the Leipzig Christmas markets are definitely worth visiting! I’ll share all of the practical details you need to know when visiting Leipzig at Christmas, as well as my recommendations for each of the city center’s Christmas markets (not all are created equal!). 

Keep reading to find out which of the (many!) Christmas markets in Leipzig are worth visiting 

Table of Contents 

Click “show” to see the full table of contents for this post. You can jump around the post as desired by clicking on the individual sections listed below. 

Guide to Leipzig's Christmas Markets (2024) Click to Expand
1 Table of Contents
2 Leipzig Christmas Market Dates, Locations, & Hours [2024]
3 Map of Leipzig’s Christmas Market Locations
4 The Top Christmas Markets in Leipzig
4.1 Hüttenzauber at the Marktplatz
4.2 Anno Domini Historic Christmas Market at Naschmarkt
4.3 Chorus of Angels at Thomaswiese
4.4 A Magical Forest along Grimmaische Straße
4.5 Traditional Fun Fair at Salzgäßchen
4.6 Christmas Market at the Nikolaikirche
4.7 Fairytale Forest at Augustusplatz
4.8 Finnish Village at Augustusplatz
5 What to Eat at the Leipzig Christmas Markets
6 Practical Tips for Your Visit
7 Frequently Asked Questions
8 Bis Nächstes Jahr, Leipzig!
9 More Favorite Christmas Markets in Germany:

Leipzig Christmas Market Dates, Locations, & Hours [2024]

Dates: November 26 – December 23, 2024 (only the large Christmas market at the Marktplatz is open on December 23)

Location: There are lots of markets scattered throughout the city center, with the largest market located at the Marktplatz in front of the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus). All of the markets are accessible by foot. Exact locations of the Leipzig Christmas markets are provided in the body of this blog post below. 

Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday 10am – 9pm, Friday and Saturday 10am – 10pm. Special hours of operation on December 22 (10am – 9pm).  

Map of Leipzig’s Christmas Market Locations

The Top Christmas Markets in Leipzig 

I highly recommend stopping at the Leipzig Tourist Information office first thing to get a special Christmas market map. 

The map I was given made it seem like there are 12 Christmas markets in Leipzig’s city center. While that might technically be true, the markets all bleed into one another and make it seem like the entire city center is one giant Christmas market. 

The main Leipzig Christmas market can be found smack in the center of the city at the Marktplatz (market square) in front of the town hall. The remaining Christmas markets in Leipzig aren’t all fantastic (more details on each market to follow!) but there are some really good ones! 

I’ve listed both the good and the bad Christmas markets below so you know exactly what to expect when visiting Leipzig at Christmas! 

Hüttenzauber at the Marktplatz 

Arched entryway to the Christmas market in Leipzig, Germany

Leipzig’s largest and best-known Christmas market dates back to 1458, making it the second oldest in Germany after Dresden’s Striezelmarkt. The Hüttenzauber market takes place at the city’s Marktplatz (market square) in the shadow of the cheerful yellow Town Hall.  

The market boasts over 250 stalls selling grilled meats, beeswax candles and honey, sweet treats like crepes and Quarkbällchen, handicrafts, and more. 

What I loved most about the Leipzig Christmas market at the Marktplatz is that the city prioritized local artisans and Leipzig- and Berlin-made products over other, mass-produced goods that you find at most of the other German Christmas markets. Visiting a Christmas market with a clear emphasis on regional products was such a treat!   

Christmas market stalls in front of Leipzig's town hall
Beeswax candles at the Leipzig Christmas market

Other star attractions of this Christmas market include the HUGE Christmas tree fully decked out in baubles and string lights. The tree is spectacular — and it’s so big you’ll be hard pressed to fit in all in a single photo! 

There’s also a central stage at this Christmas market. Throughout the Advent season, visitors can enjoy an array of holiday concerts, choral performances, and even story hours for children. 

Christmas market stalls in Leipzig Germany

This beautiful Christmas market truly felt like I was walking through a fairy-tale Christmas village. The candy cane-striped roofs of the market stalls and the garland arches strung with lights imbued the entire square with a cozy holiday spirit. 

Claire’s Tip: If you’re going to the Christmas markets in Leipzig specifically to buy gifts for loved ones, I think this particular market had the best quality and range of goods for sale. 

Anno Domini Historic Christmas Market at Naschmarkt 

Stalls at the the historic Christmas market in Leipzig, Germany

Tucked away in a quaint courtyard on the opposite side of the Old Town Hall is my second-favorite Christmas market in Leipzig: the Anno Domini Historic Christmas Market. 

This medieval Christmas market is small but the history geek in me adored the trip back to Ye Olde Leipzig. 

There’s not much in the way of foodstuffs at this market, but the stalls are overflowing with woven baskets, jewelry, pottery, and handmade wool products.

Wicker baskets on display at the historic Christmas market in Leipzig, Germany

The items that are truly handmade in the region are on the pricier side, but that’s because they’re such good quality! 

And if Glühwein (mulled wine) isn’t your Christmas drink of choice, definitely try the warming mead at the historic Christmas market. 

Chorus of Angels at Thomaswiese 

Christmas lights display in front of St. Thomas Church in Leipzig

Behind the Thomaskirche (St. Thomas Church) — where Johann Sebastian Bach worked for almost 30 years — you’ll find a small cluster of stalls selling classic Christmas market foods like bratwurst and Lebkuchen (gingerbread). 

There’s also a really pretty light display along the path leading to the church. 

If you have the time (or simply need to warm up your frozen hands!), pop into the St. Thomas Church. It’s lovely inside, and if you’re lucky you might hear the famous boys’ choir practicing for an Advent concert! 

A Magical Forest along Grimmaische Straße 

Christmas market stalls along Grimmaische Straße in Leipzig, Germany

Come December, the main shopping street connecting Augustusplatz with the Marktplatz is light up with Christmas lights and lined with stalls selling food, drinks, and decorations. 

This is a very basic Christmas market, but it has one fun twist to it: there are cute light displays in the shape of woodland creatures all along the street! 

As far as Christmas markets in Leipzig go, this isn’t one I recommend spending any time at. For me, it was just a fun and festive route to take to reach Augustusplatz to see the markets there. 

Traditional Fun Fair at Salzgäßchen 

Vintage double decker carousel at the Christmas market along the Salzgäßchenin Leipzig

Yet again, this isn’t a Christmas market that I can wholeheartedly recommend as the stalls are very basic, the goods for sale didn’t seem top notch, and it was very small. The few traditional stalls you’ll find here sell items like salami and cheese, chimney cakes, and sheepskin slippers. 

BUT the double-decker carousel at this market is gorgeous! If you’re in Leipzig after sunset, I highly recommend going to this market just to see the old-fashioned carousel lit up in all its splendor. 

You can’t overlook this market, as it flows directly into the main Christmas market located at the Marktplatz (#1 on this list, and my favorite in the city). 

Christmas Market at the Nikolaikirche 

The Christmas market at Saint Nicholas Church in Leipzig

Nestled in the courtyard of the St. Nicholas Church where the Monday Demonstrations took place between 1989 and 1991, there’s a small Christmas market that sells mostly warming drinks. 

In fact, I’d go so far as to say that the top stall at this little market is the one in the shape of a massive Christmas pyramid. If you’re looking for Feuerzangenbowle (a type of powerful alcoholic punch) in Leipzig, come here! 

One underrated gem of the Nikolaikirche Christmas market is the stall selling wooden ornaments and decor. They’re very pricey, but they’re handmade and will last a lifetime! 

Fairytale Forest at Augustusplatz 

Fairytale Forest Christmas market in Leipzig

The Christmas market at Leipzig’s Augustusplatz is another traditional Christmas market offering the typical array of sheepskin products, hats and scarves, and so on.

The market itself didn’t blow me away, but I still recommend visiting if only to see the creepy Fairytale Forest in the center of the market. Within the Fairy-tale Forest, there are large, animatronic figures from various German fairy-tales that move and speak. It’s one of those attractions that’s so bad, it’s good. 

There’s also a large ferris wheel at this market, which I imagine would be perfect to ride after sunset so you can see Leipzig and its many Christmas markets lit up after dark. 

Finnish Village at Augustusplatz

The Finnish Village in Leipzig at Christmas

There’s not much happening at the Finnish Village at Augustusplatz (directly opposite the aforementioned Fairytale Forest), but it’s a nice spot to enjoy Finnish Glögi (mulled wine) while cozied up in the large tent to bring some life back into your frozen fingers. 

There are just a handful of food options at this market, but what they have is really good. I recommend the Flammlachs (flame grilled salmon); you can see the filets of salmon tacked onto boards over the open fires! 

What to Eat at the Leipzig Christmas Markets 

Flammlachs being grilled over a fire

Leipzig doesn’t have many truly local Christmas foods or drinks that it can brag about. 

However, Saxony (the state Leipzig is located in) is one of the top fruit growing regions in Germany. There’s a wonderful stall run by Obstland at the main Christmas market at the Marktplatz that sells many varieties of mulled wine. Think: cherry, plum, or apple mulled wine! I tried the non-alcoholic Kinderpunsch and loved it. 

I can also recommend the Flammlachs (flame grilled salmon) at the Finnish Christmas market. 

Otherwise, the main market at the Marktplatz had some really interesting, non-Christmassy foods like hot feta sandwiches — for those of you who just can’t eat another bite of Stollen! 

Claire’s Guide: For a complete list of the kinds of foods you can expect to find at the Leipzig Christmas market, here’s my full guide to the most popular foods and drinks at any German Christmas market. 

Practical Tips for Your Visit 

Red and white striped stalls and a Christmas tree at the Christmas market in Leipzig
  • If you plan on doing some proper Christmas shopping, arrive earlier in the day to avoid the worst of the crowds. Weekends will also be busier than weekdays.  
  • You will have to pay a 2 to 4 Euro deposit on your mulled wine and hot chocolate mugs. You can save them as a cute but cheap souvenir, or return them to the stall to get your deposit back. 
  • Bring a reusable tote bag if you plan on buying gifts.  
  • Bring cash since most stalls don’t accept card. 
  • There are limited vegan / vegetarian food options at the markets. Sometimes even fries are cooked in lard, so ask at the stalls if that’s a concern for you. 
  • The sun sets very early in December in Germany, so you don’t have to stay in Leipzig late into the night to see the Christmas lights lit up! Just stick around until 4pm or so.  
A view of Leipzig's Christmas market in from of the town hall

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions about visiting the Christmas markets in Leipzig, Germany? I also have an entire blog post sharing my general tips for visiting the German Christmas markets.

How much time is needed to see the Christmas markets in Leipzig? 

1 day was perfect! It was enough time to see all the markets in the city center at a leisurely pace without feeling rushed. 

When is the best time to visit the Christmas markets? 

If possible, go during the work week to avoid the worst of the crowds. Otherwise I recommend arriving in the mid afternoon to shop and eat a little before nightfall. Once the sun sets, the crowds seem to double in size! 

Can the Glühwein mugs be saved as a souvenir?

Yes! You pay a deposit (Pfand) on the mugs and can keep as many as you’d like. Christmas market mugs for a festive and cheap souvenir! 

What else is there to do in Leipzig? 

I have a full guide on the top attractions in Leipzig, so definitely check that out if you want to see more than just the Chrstmas markets. 

What’s the best area to stay in Leipzig? 

I’ve stayed near the main train station in the past for convenience sake and it was great! The city center is about 10 minutes away on foot from train station. Specific hotels in Leipzig that I can I recommend include:

Vienna House Easy by Wyndham Leipzig
Hotel NH Leipzig Zentrum
Motel One Leipzig-Nikolaikirche
B&B Hotel Leipzig-City
Capri by Fraser Leipzig

A mug held aloft at Leipzig's Christmas market

Bis Nächstes Jahr, Leipzig! 

Leipzig is one of my favorite day trips from Berlin, and I’m SO glad I went to explore the city’s Christmas markets as I can now confidently say they’re worth visiting! 

The main Christmas market at the Marktplatz is the best of the Leipzig markets by a mile and is where I recommend spending the bulk of your time. However, it was a pleasant surprise to find pretty much the entire city center turned into one neverending market upon arrival. 

If you live in Berlin or find yourself near Leipzig at Christmas, do stop by to explore the Christmas markets! 

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to keep up with my daily adventures in Berlin and beyond!

More Favorite Christmas Markets in Germany: 

  • Aachen Christmas Market Guide – What to Do & Eat in Gingerbread Paradise 
  • Guide to Heidelberg’s Christmas Markets (underrated!) 
  • Dresden Christmas Market Guide (Germany’s Oldest!)
  • What to Expect at Bremen’s Maritime Christmas Markets
  • All of my German Christmas market guides! 

posted in: Destinations, Europe, Germany

Previous
Your Guide to Nuremberg’s Christmas Markets (The Most Famous Christmas Market in Germany!)
Next
Your Guide to Munich’s Best Christmas Markets in 2024

Written by Claire

Hiya! I'm the writer and photographer behind Tall Girl Big World. After being laid off from my corporate editorial job in NYC, I spent a year building up my freelance writing business before moving to Berlin, Germany in 2019. As of 2025, I've just received my permanent residence permit and can now officially call Berlin home. I've traveled extensively throughout Germany and share my top tips and recommendations in my detailed travel guides. I also write guides to my favorite European destinations (when my freelance schedule allows, that is!). Meet Claire.

Reader Interactions

Leave A Reply! Cancel reply

Share your thoughts!
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Claire - Author of Tall Girl Big World.

Hiya, I'm Claire!

After being laid off from my corporate job in NYC, I packed up my bags and moved to Berlin in 2019. Tall Girl Big World is where I share my adventures in Berlin and beyond. You'll find detailed guides on my favorite European cities as well as my top tips and resources for living abroad.

More About Me
Subscribe

Keep Up With Latest Travels!

Subscribe to the newsletter and join me on all the latest adventures, travel tips and more!

Ad

Contact About

categories

Featured Destinations

  • The Best Fall Activities in Berlin, Germany
  • Flea market at 17. Juni Strasse in Berlin.
    Berlin’s Best Flea Markets (to Buy Pretty Much Anything!)
  • 25 Things to Do in Berlin This Summer
  • The Church of the Holy Cross in Hannover
    19 Unmissable Day Trips From Berlin, Germany (by Train!)

About

  • About Claire
  • Get in Touch
  • Read the Blog
  • Privacy Policy
Subscribe

Keep Up With Latest Travels!

Subscribe to the newsletter and join me on all the latest adventures, travel tips and more!

Browse

  • Asia
  • Canada
  • Greece
  • Europe
  • Germany
©2025, Tall Girl Big World. Privacy Policy Disclosure & Disclaimer Terms & Conditions Copyright Notice Back To Top
Design by Pixel Me Designs
×

Keep Up With Latest Travels!

Subscribe to the newsletter and join me on all the latest adventures, travel tips and more!