October 16, 2026, 12:26 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
As soon as the first gingerbread appears in supermarkets, advent calendars line the shelves, and the fall jacket becomes a daily companion again, many people start looking forward to the Christmas season. If you don’t want to wait until the end of November, you can already get a taste of Christmas market air among fairy lights, the scent of mulled wine, and roasted almonds. TRAVELBOOK showcases the first winter and Christmas markets in Germany that open as early as October.
It’s still a while until the actual Christmas market season for the big and well-known ones. Most major markets in Germany open only after the Sunday of the Dead on November 22, many even simultaneously on November 23. However, some cities kick off the winter season much earlier. Traditionally, the Bayreuth Winter Village leads the way, followed by the first winter markets in Hamburg.
In Berlin, it could also become wintry as early as the end of October: For the Winter World at Potsdamer Platz, a season start before November is expected, as in the previous year. However, the city has not yet released specific information about the opening and program.
Also interesting: 16 extraordinary Christmas markets in Germany
It’s Already “Winter Village Time” in Bayreuth
Since 2004, the Ehrenhof at the Old Castle has transformed every year from October 15 into the Bayreuth Winter Village, making it one of the first winter markets in Germany. The organizers promote it with Alpine flair, rustic wooden huts, and a cozy atmosphere around the fireplace. In addition to mulled wine and winter specialties, a varied event program ensures a pre-Christmas mood long before the first Advent. The Winter Village is open daily until December 31 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and on Sundays and holidays from 12 p.m.
Two Early Winter Markets in Hamburg
Not only in Bavaria does the winter season start so early; Hamburg also joins in October with mulled wine and fairy lights. In fact, two of Germany’s earliest winter markets open in the Hanseatic city: The Winterdeck on Spielbudenplatz in St. Pauli kicks things off. From October 21, the winter-decorated fireplace lounge invites you to warm up with mulled wine and hot drinks and serves as a preview of the later Santa Pauli Christmas market.
Just ten days later, on October 31, the Wandsbeker Winter Magic follows. The winter village with alpine huts and an ice rink calls itself Hamburg’s first winter village of the season, thus ringing in the mulled wine season about fifty days before Christmas.
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Early Start for the Big Anniversary in Essen
Even before the calendar turns to November, the Steele Christmas Market in Essen starts the season. The special feature in 2026: The market celebrates its 50th anniversary and opens as early as October 30 with a big festive weekend. Around Kaiser-Otto-Platz, visitors can expect not only the classic Christmas market with festively decorated stalls but also special anniversary activities. The rotating fir tree, which the organizers claim is the largest of its kind in Europe, is considered a landmark.
Most Christmas Markets from November
Most well-known Christmas markets in Germany open in 2026 only after the Sunday of the Dead. These include the major markets in Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Nuremberg, and Dresden, which mostly start the season on November 23 or in the following days. However, a few open even earlier:
Did you know?: This German Christmas market was voted the best in Europe
- Hamburg, Santa Pauli: from November 9
- Hamburg, Christmas Market at the Apostelkirche: from November 12
- Berlin, Historical Christmas Market at the RAW Grounds: from November 12
- Hamburg, Harburg Christmas Market: from November 16
- Cologne, Nikolausdorf at Rudolfplatz: from November 19
- Bochum, Bochum Christmas Market: from November 20
- Wernigerode, Wernigerode Christmas Market: from November 21