Have you ever been to Thuringia (“Thüringen”)? Do you know where it is? It’s Germany’ most central state and filled with mountains, castles andwonderful sites. There are plenty of stunning and terribly underrated Christmas markets, too. So if you want to go where the locals go, this is your ultimate guide on Christmas Markets in Thuringia.

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1. Wartburg Christmas Market

Wartburg in Eisenach is one of the most iconic attractions in Thuringia thanks to Martin Luther. He reformed the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages, translated the Bible and campaigned against abolishing indulgences. As a result, Protestanismwas born. Since 1999 it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It was hereon the fortress Wartburg that he hid away during translating the bible and thecastle and its museum can be visited throughout the year. In December, however,the courtyard transforms into a Christmasy wonderland with golden fairy lightsand wonderful food smells.

The Christmas market fare here is a bit different as it is rooted in tradition and history. Instead of modern items, you will find traditional handicrafts being made in front of your eyes. Buy souvenirs from local candle makers, glassblowers, stonemasons and herbalists.

Dates: December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 2PM-10PM

• Entrance fee: 5€
• Website

2. Heidecksburg Christmas Market

Rudolstadt is a rather small town but it still as several Christmasmarkets. Down below in Old Town, you can find the “Schillers Weihnacht” market. But for the castle, go up the slope and enter through the round gates of the grandRenaissance building.

The museum will also be open and while you’re at it, you can also getentrance to the wonderful exhibition “Rococo en miniature”, which displays an alternative universe set in a Baroque setting in the process of usurping themonarchy.  (Can you tell it was createdin GDR times?)

The Palace Christmas market is small and cosy but beautifully decorated with its very own live Christmas tree and pretty stalls.

If you arrive by public transport, there is a shuttle bus availablefrom  bus stops “Kaufcenter”, “Sommerstraße” and “Am Anger”. A car parking space can be found on “Bleichwiese”.

Dates: December 15, 16, 21, 22, 23; 2PM-10PM(Fri), 12PM-22PM (Sat-Sun)

• Entrance: 2€ (+4€ museum, 2€ exhibition)
• Website

3. Leuchtenburg Christmas Market

The Leuchtenburg castle thrones high above the town of Kahla. You can see it from the highway and even as far as Jena! It isn’t particularly big but still impressive with its very striking grey tower.

The castle has its own museum, which delves into local history as well as the production of “white gold”. For good luck, you can smash porcelain down thecastle walls. Don’t worry, the shards will be picked up and recycled.

As can be expected, you will be given the opportunity to buy Kahla porcelain, which is regularly awarded for its special quality and renowned worldwide.

Other local products are on sale as well and you can cosy up in therestaurant if the chilly breeze on in the courtyard gets too much. Pro tip: Always wear thermal underwear when visiting Christmas markets in castles on hills!

• Entrance: 7€


• Website

Website

Dates: December 8, 9, 15, 16; 11AM-6PM

4. Erfurt Christmas Market

Did you know that there are a total of 17 Christmas sites in the state’s capital? Butthe most important Erfurt Christmas market certainly is the one in front of thegrand cathedral.

The square gets illuminated beautifully with big lettering in golden light over the entrance, a super tall live Christmas tree and an original Ore Mountain Christmas pyramid.

There are plenty of local stalls selling all kinds of warm food and beverages, locally sourced souvenirs (both food as well as handicraft) and entertainment booths.

When it comes to fun, try the colourful ferris wheel, a scooter platform or practice your aim by throwing for goodies. There are plenty of smaller Christmas markets on your way from the train station to the main Christmas market, so dress up warm and get into the festivespirit!

Website: www.weihnachtsmarkt.erfurt.de

Dates: 27 November – 22 December 2018, Start: 10AM- 8PM (Mo-Wed, Sun), 10AM-10PM (Sat)

5. Jena Christmas Market

My home town has two Christmas markets. The biggest one spills out from the medieval market square in itscentre to the main parking lot, boasting plenty of food and crafts stalls aswell as mini theme park attractions.

On the main Christmas market, you can witness the daily brass orchestraplaying Christmas tunes. There is a stage for other musical and dance performancesas well. Just know they are more on the German folksy side. (i.e. Not targeting millennials for sure.)

Follow the row of colourful houses a little in the back and you will seethe remains of the medieval city walls and gate. It is here that you find the medievalChristmas market. Fun fact: It is Thuringia’s oldest Christmas market!

Underneath the authentic gates and patrol walks, old-fashioned stalls areselling silverware, furs and roasted meats. Get your met too while watching a live fire dance!

Website

Dates: 26 November – 23 December, 10 AM- 9PM

6. SchmalkaldenChristmas Market

Locally known as the Herrscheklasmarkt, Schmalkalden hosts its very own small markt. Don’t expect anything big or fancy. The setting itself is simply magical. Schmalkalden has one of the prettiest and most intact medieval Old Towns in all kinds of pastel colours. It’s worth a visit anytime of the year.

Besides the market square turned Christmas Market, you also need to see the medieval Christmas market in the city palace. Fun fact: the palace has one ofthe most stunning and whitest Baroque castle churches you will ever see.

Local medievial associations are presenting authentic tunes and you can buy souvenirs, such as honey, soaps, leather, jewellery and brass products.

Must try local foods: “Thüringer Bratwurst” (Thuringian sausage), “Kloß mit Soß” (Thuringian dumplings)

Dates: 1, 2, 8, 9 December; 11AM-7AM (Sat), 11AM-6PM (Sun)

Website

7.     Gotha Christmas Market

Gotha is a splendid city with well preserved architecture. It looks a little like a big doll house with its pastel coloured baroque houses lining the cobblestone streets. The towering palace up above the city also adds to its particular charm and its museum is well worth a visit.

Fun fact: The Christmas market in Gotha hosts Thuringia’s largest Mulled Wine Hut. So if you like “Glühwein”, what are you waiting for? Not only that but there is also the biggest “Schwibbogen”and you can enter it too!

Furthermore, this year there is not only one but two life size Christmas manger displays.

Dates: 26 November – 30 December 2018, 11AM-8PM (Mo-Wed, Sun), 11AM-9PM (Sat)

Website: https://www.gothaer-weihnachtsmarkt.de/

8. Altenburg ChristmasMarket

On the old city market square in Altenburg you can find the excessivelycharming and quaint Altenburg Christmas Market.

Throughout its duration expect entertainment programs and musical performance for both adults and kids alike.

On the market square you will not only find lavishly decorated huts selling all kinds of goods but a beautiful live Christmas tree as well. Get snug with mulled wine and treat yourself to lebkuchen.

Dates: 28 November – 23 December; 10AM-7PM

Website

9.     Weimar Christmas Market

One of THE must visit cities in Thuringia is Weimar. It is strikingly beautiful with its historic Renaissance and baroque houses, the grand town hall, a castle in the centre and its 48 hectare big lush park. There are three sites for Weimar Christmas markets: the market square, Schillerstraße and Herderplatz.

Expect the cobblestone streets to be lined with wooden huts and filled with food and souvenirs. This way you can easily combine your sightseeing as you stroll through the main streets of the city.

In front of the old town hall you can find a 20 metre high Christmas tree. The tradition to put it up has been going on since 1815.

The idea back then came from a wealthy merchant who wanted to treat his poor neighours to a Christmas tree even if they couldn’t afford one. Many other cities followed suit with this charitable thinking.

Must eats: Stollen and roasted almonds (“gebrannte Mandeln”)

Dates: 27 November – 5 January (closed 24, 25 December, 1 January); 10AM-10PM (Sun-Thu), 10AM-11PM (Fri, Sat)

Website

10. Meiningen Christmas Market

One of the prettiest Christmas markets thanks to its wonderful setting is theChristmas market in Meiningen.

It isn’t big by any means but with the historichouses and 1000 year old church providing the perfect backdrop to wooden hutsand entertainment booths, it’s positively delightful.

There even is a merry go round, a big Christmas tree and a mulled wine hut. Expect a busy event schedule, especially on advent Sundays. If you always wantedto see a performance of a German Christmas fairy tale, this could be yourchance!

If you’ve been a good human, you might be able to take a photo with Santa Clausas well. During the second advent weekend, you can enter the marble hall of the Palace Elisabethenburg to stop by the local handicraft Christmas market.

Dates: 30 November – 23 December 2018, 11AM-9PM (Mo-Thu), 11Am-10PM (Fri-Sun)

Website

1-2 Day Castle Christmas Markets

• Tonndorf  (1, 2December 2018, 1-7PM)
• Neues Palais Arnstadt (1,2  December 2018)
• Ordensburg Liebstedt (1, 2 December 2018)
• Burg Hanstein (1, 2 December 2018)
• Schloss Burgk (1, 2 December 2018)
• Schloss Wilhelmsburg Schmalkalden (1, 2, 8, 9 December 2018)
• ResidenzschlossAltenburg (8 December 2018)
• Sommerpalais Greiz (8 December 2018)
• Kochberg: Nicolausmarkt (8 December)
• Neues Schloss in Steinach (8, 9 December 2018)
• Burg Ranis (8, 9 December 2018)
• Schloss Ponitz (8, 9 December 2018)
• Schloss Elisabethenburg Meiningen (8, 9 December 2018)
• Schloss Friedenstein Gotha (15 December 2018)
• Burg Posterstein (15 December 2018)
• Creuzburg (15, 16 December 2018)
• Kranichfeld (15, 16 December 2018)
• Molsdorf (16 December 2018)

More Thuringia Christmas Markets

• Altenburg (30 November – 22 December 2018)
• Apolda: 21. Lichterfest (30 November – 2 December 2018)
• Arnstadt:Bachadvent (30 November – 2 December 2018)
• Gera: Märchenmarkt (29 November – 23 December 2018)
• Ilmenau (13-16December 2018)
• Lauscha: 28. Kugelmarkt (1, 2, 8, 9 December 2018)
• Mühlhausen (13-16 December 2018)
• Nordhausen (30  November – 22 December 2018)
• Rudolstadt: Schillers Weihnacht (27 November – 26 December 2018)
• Saalfeld (29November – 19 December 2018)
• Saalfeld: 27. Grottenadvent (8-9 December 2018)
• Sondershausen (20– 23 December 2018)
• Suhl: Chrisamelmart (28 November – 23 December 2018)

Tell me, have you ever been to a Thuringian Christmas market?

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