Christmas Markets 2026: These Markets Open as Early as October

October 29, 2026, 11:37 am | 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 enjoy the atmosphere of Christmas markets with fairy lights, the scent of mulled wine, and roasted almonds. TRAVELBOOK showcases the first winter and Christmas markets in Germany that are already open or starting in 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 Berlin and Hamburg.

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.

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Two Early Winter Markets in Hamburg

Not only in Bavaria does the winter season start so early; Hamburg also kicks off in October with mulled wine and fairy lights. In fact, the Hanseatic city has two of Germany’s earliest winter markets: The Winterdeck on Spielbudenplatz in St. Pauli was the first. Since 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.

Next Saturday, 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, kicking off the mulled wine season about fifty days before Christmas.

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 on 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 events. The rotating fir tree, which organizers claim is the largest of its kind in Europe, is considered a landmark.

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Winter World and Christmas Market at Potsdamer Platz

In Berlin, it also becomes wintry at the end of October: Winter World at Potsdamer Platz opens on October 31. According to the official website, visitors can look forward to many highlights, “from après-ski vibes to sledding fever to hut magic.”

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. A few, however, open 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

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TRAVELBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@travelbook.de.