A Detailed Guide to Frankfurt’s Christmas Markets

German Christmas markets are the stuff of legend. Germany is where it all (allegedly) began, so we (allegedly) have Germans to thank for all of the glühwein we ingest today.

When it comes to where tourists seem to gather during the winter holidays, the Frankfurt Christmas markets don’t always get as much attention as they deserve.

While it’s not at the top of favorites for me, it’s still a market worth your time on your tour of Germany’s Christmas markets.

We had quite a delicious time on our trip there, hitting every square, illumination, and swinging sausage tent, so you know what to prioritize.

Yes, the city is known for its skyscrapers and business district. It also has one of the most diverse experiences to offer travelers willing to drop a little whimsy for a more modern holiday market. 

Frankfurt is worth visiting for its Christmas markets.

Frankfurt has one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, for starters. The markets here have been operating in some form since 1393.

Fun fact: The first markets back in the 1390s include mystery plays in the center of town. The plays were based on real historical events, something that I’m sure excited the townspeople.

Compare that to Strasbourg, one of my favorites, and the oldest in France. That one has been around since 1570. That’s quite the difference.

READ MORE: Strasbourg is still awesome. Read my guide if you want to learn more!

Much like other popular Christmas markets across Germany, like the classic Christmas markets in Düsseldorf, it does get crowded.

Pack your patience along with that long underwear, and you should be fine, especially after some glühwein.

Frankfurt Christmas Market Start Dates

The Frankfurt Christmas markets usually start at the end of November and run through much of December.

For 2025, the Frankfurt Christmas market dates are Nov. 24-Dec. 22.

Opening hours at the main Christmas market in Frankfurt are: 

• Monday-Saturday: 10am-9pm
• Sunday: 11am-9pm

Frankfurt Christmas market dates do change somewhat from year to year. If you’re planning ahead, you’ll need to wait until the current holiday season is over before getting fresh dates. 

Before you book travel to Frankfurt next year, check information from the city’s tourist information offices, like Tourismus+Congress GmbH. They include updated Frankfurt Christmas market maps of all of your options.

Where to Find the Frankfurt Christmas Markets

Frankfurt’s Christmas markets are located in a few different spots around the city. The main market, or Frankfurt Weihnachtsmarkt, is held in and around Römerberg, the city’s historic quarter and old town. 

The market stretches beyond just that square. You’ll see shops set up in Paulsplatz, or St. Paul’s Square, Hauptwache, and along the Main river.

If you’re here for more on the Frankfurt Christmas market in Birmingham, you won’t find that one in Frankfurt. I feel like you would’ve figured that out, though. The Frankfurt Birmingham Christmas Market is in Birmingham, England.

Fun fact: Birmingham and Frankfurt are sister cities, much like Pisa, Italy, and Niles, Illinois. I picked that second example because I grew up driving past the Leaning Tower of Niles, also known as the Leaning Tower YMCA. 

A Guide to Frankfurt’s Christmas Markets

When I called the Christmas market in Frankfurt diverse, I meant that you have options when it comes to where you’d like to spend your time.

While the main areas will certainly be the most crowded, there are a few secondary markets for you to explore, too.

Römerberg

All roads during a Frankfurt market Christmas trip start and end in Römerberg.

This is where you’ll see the city’s large Christmas tree, a custom popularized in the 19th century, and likely the majority of people. The atmosphere here is lovely.

You’re surrounded by colorful timber homes, which are largely a reconstruction after the Allies destroyed the buildings here during World War II.

It doesn’t diminish the ambiance. If you’re seeking those German Christmas market vibes, you’ll feel them here.

If you want to lose the crowds a bit, follow this one down to the Main river and the Mainkai. There are a few chalets along the water, too, with excellent city views.

Paulsplatz

This square is dominated by St Paul’s Church, but you’re not here for religion. You’re here for treats.

This one is essentially an extension of the market at Römerberg. You’ll find more of the same, but it may be less crowded than what you just left. Maybe.

The draw for me at this one was Wagner’s Honighaus. We were able to snag some jars of flavored honey just before the timber home shut down for the evening. The dog-sitter who received one of those jars was definitely thankful for it.

Hauptwache

We happened upon this one right off the train station stop of that same name. They had some great food options, with the usual beverage offerings. 

If you’re taking any day trips from Frankfurt, you’ll likely pull into this stop. Pop by the market for a nosh before you go on your merry way. Maybe you’ll even see Santa himself.

Weihnachtsmarkt Roßmarkt

You’ll know you’re at this one when you see the Ferris wheel and the enormous spinning decoration featuring a variety of religious figures associated with the birth of Jesus. 

I think there were wise men? It was all very bright.

Enjoy a nice food selection while jostling for elbow room at Santa’s Bar.

Rosa Weihnachtsmarkt

This is the Pink Christmas market, or the city’s LGBTQ Christmas market. While it’s put on by the city’s queer community, it’s open to all and one of the jolliest spots in town during the holiday season. 

This was the most crowded stop on our tour, but it also felt like the happiest. There were several varieties of rosé mulled wines and rosé cocktails to fit the pink theme. Otherwise, the pink came from the lighting and decor, including several pink trees. 

There were actual tables to sit at, but it was way too crowded by the time we arrived for us to find a seat at one. I’m sure we would have been able to share with a group if that was even an option.

CITYXMAS

This market isn’t a part of the main Frankfurt Christmas market, but I’m all about a less crowded space to hang out in for a while.

This one felt like a more grown-up option compared to the other markets.

As it was closer to the big shopping malls like MyZeil vs. the historic center, it wasn’t as thick with tourists. This one was mostly alcohol, though.

Come here to dance and drink underneath the disco ball or indulge in a sausage if you really need one. 

What to Buy at Frankfurt’s Christmas Markets

Some of the markets specialize in niche products, but you’ll see some commonalities across the board.

Here are a few things you can expect to see at Frankfurt’s markets with an emphasis on what you’ll be eating, of course:

• Apfelwein: Apple wine is found all over German markets, so you may as well acquaint yourself with this sweet treat. It’s served hot like mulled wine.
• Candied nuts: Choose from a rainbow of roasted almond flavors. They’re sold by the kilo, so watch those scoops unless you want to run out of cash quickly.
• Champignons: If you’re traveling with veggie friends, the roasted mushrooms served up at many of the stalls may satiate them temporarily. 
• Glühbier: It’s exactly what you think it is. It’s hot beer. I can’t judge because I didn’t try it, but I did try a hot lambic that hit the spot.
• Glühwein: Most chalets will have some red mulled wine on hand, but if you see a rosé, don’t delay.
• Heiße Schokolade: This is just a fancy way of saying hot chocolate. If you want to be naughty, you can add a nip of alcohol.
• Kartoffelpuffer: These German potato pancakes are served hot and fresh with applesauce or a creamy garlic sauce. It has to be apples all the way, folks.

• Kitchenware: While it may not be as exciting as what you’re smelling over there, the German markets offer some beautiful options for kitchenware.
• Lángos: These cheesy flatbreads are Hungarian, but I’ll allow it here as I saw them at every German market we visited.
• Lebkuchen: These classic German Christmas cookies are very close to gingerbread. You’ll see them hanging from chalet windows in various shapes and sizes. 
• Ornaments: Germany’s no slouch when it comes to beautiful Christmas ornaments. For a bit of fun back home, buy one of the pickles with a Santa hat on. It’s a thing.

• Pommes: These are French fries. They’re not really German, but sharing a cone is a good way to soak up some of your vices from the day.
• Wurst: I’m not a huge fan of encased meats. When at a German Christmas market, though, you must partake in a sausage from one of the spinning sausage wheels.

Extra Tips for Visiting Frankfurt at Christmas

Some of the advice out there seems outdated at this point, so I wanted to share a few tips from our most recent experience.

• Bring cash. The majority of the Frankfurt chalets are cash-only. This is very different than what we got used to in the French markets that season. They’ve mostly gone cashless, and I love them for it.
• Bring change. You’ll need it for the bathrooms. This is another fun quirk of the German markets. It’s arbitrary pricing at each bathroom station, too. We paid €0.60 at one, although only the women’s side was monitored at the time.
• Come on a weekday. We didn’t follow this advice and had to weave through nighttime crowds. That made it more challenging to enjoy mugs of mulled wine and put us at risk of all kinds of spillage. The lines for food were intense, too. 
• Keep track of your cup. Your first hot beverage comes with a surcharge to cover your reusable cup or mug. You can get that deposit back at the end of the revelry. You can also keep your mug if you like it enough.
• Return your cup. Some stalls selling drinks had their own mugs, so you’ll likely have to return your cup to where you got it. You may get a ticket or chip to go along with your return. This is different from most French markets.

READ MORE: Yeah, I like to talk about the French markets. Learn about Colmar, one of my favorites!

How to Get to Frankfurt’s Christmas Markets

The best way to get to Frankfurt depends on your starting location. The most popular options are flying or taking the train.

We traveled from Paris via train. While I got some motion sickness, that’s mostly because I’m getting old.

Note: Watch your belongings on any train in Europe. There was a brazen bag thief on ours on the return trip that I actually apologized to before I knew what he was doing. (He caught me sleeping, so I was super disoriented.)

The Frankfurt Main Train Station is centrally located for several popular Frankfurt hotels and is accessible to the markets. (You may also see it listed as Frankfurt am Main Hauptbahnhof on your maps. That’s the same station.)

It’s also quite walkable if you choose this route. 

If you’re here for longer, the Frankfurt Card may help you save some money on not only public transit but also museums and other attractions around Frankfurt.

I’ll let you read about it and do the calculations yourself as far as whether it’s worth it, as we didn’t partake in it.

If you’re traveling a longer distance, you can find frequent deals through Frankfurt Airport. Prices can jump closer to Christmas, so plan ahead if you’re flying.

More Things to Do in Frankfurt

You can only hit Christmas markets for so long, and there’s a reason the city gets nearly three million visitors each year. There’s a lot to do in Frankfurt!

Here are a few more things for you to check out in Frankfurt once you’re done with the holiday fun:

• Get some coffee. Frankfurt has a great coffeehouse scene. We liked Bunca Barista & Caterer for their coffee and baked goods scene and plentiful seating.
• Find your favorite museum. Cross the river Main for what is essentially the city’s museum campus. The Städel Museum is the biggest deal. 
• Tour the Goethe House. This is the birthplace and home of German playwright and poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
• Eat all of the things. If you want a sit-down meal, Frankfurt delivers. Römer Pils Brunnen is best for a classic pork knuckle. Hans im Glück is fun for burgers.
• Visit the Frankfurt Cathedral. It’s free to check out the inside of the church. If it’s not a rainy day like ours, you can pay to get a panoramic background from the top.
• Embrace the chill at CityAlm Frankfurt. This is the city’s best rooftop bar. During the summer, it’s CityBeach Frankfurt. During the colder months, things get cozy.
• Walk the Iron Footbridge. Read the love locks on the bridge and wonder if those folks are still together. 
• See the view from Main Tower. Enjoy 360-degree views of the entire city from 26 stories up above.
• Enjoy the Palm Gardens. The Palmengarten is a lovely place for a stroll in between market trips, especially during their winter lights.
• Book a tour. Walking tours and excursions are a great way to have someone else take the lead, even if it’s just to get an understanding of a city’s history and layout.

Here are a few highly-rated options:

Best Christmas Markets Near Frankfurt

Frankfurt’s more modern scenery doesn’t mean its Christmas markets aren’t as high-quality. It does mean you may be itching for those German fairytale vibes at some point. 

Here are a few that you should consider to make that happen, including several we enjoyed ourselves on our last trip to Germany.

Hanau

Visit the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm just 20 minutes from Frankfurt’s main train station. The small Christmas market here was very cute and much less crowded than what was going on in Frankfurt.

We worked up an appetite walking around the city center for about an hour to see the 11 statues representing the brothers’ various fairy tales. Some of them were, indeed, quite grim. 

There’s not too much else to do, but as it’s so close, I’d still recommend it as a fun excursion for the afternoon from Frankfurt.

Note: We took an Uber to get to this one because we were traveling in a group, but the train gets you there faster. It took us nearly 40 minutes to navigate the Christmas market traffic out of Frankfurt to get out to Hanau.

Mainz

We missed out on this one in favor of Hanau above, but expect up to 100 different stands in another quaint town about 45 minutes from Frankfurt if you go. 

I’ve read that this one doesn’t get nearly as busy as some of the Frankfurt markets, but that’s expected at destinations that are a bit further afield. Enjoy all of the traditional German holiday market goodies in a less stressful way.

The town is also known for being the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, a German inventor who brought letterpress printing to Europe. I’m nothing if not interested in fun facts.

Rüdesheim am Rhein

See what happens when a bunch of German treats are mixed with a bunch of international treats at the Rüdesheim Christmas Market of Nations.

This one is in the winemaking town of Rüdesheim am Rhein, about an hour and 30 minutes from Frankfurt. It’s an easy train ride out to the center of this charming town. 

I enjoyed noshing on items that weren’t sausages and raclette at this one. Once you’ve been doing the same for about a week, your belly rebels.

Try cannoli at the Italian chalet or plates of African food. I was a fan of the bread bowl soup action here myself.

To extend your trip, take the cable car up to the best views in town. You can walk back down or purchase a return trip. If it’s nice enough out, I’d recommend the walk down. You’ll get to walk amongst the vineyards that way. 

Before you go, try the local specialty, Rüdesheimer Kaffee. It’s made of Asbach Uralt brandy, coffee, sugar cubes, and fire, basically. Watching it get made is part of the fun.

More Christmas Markets in Germany

The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is arguably the most famous Christmas market in Germany. Dating back to the 16th century, it attracts millions of visitors each year for its special brand of holiday ambiance.

That said, any Christmas markets in Germany are worth it. These are the original holiday markets in Europe. Enjoy seasonal treats and German holiday traditions you won’t find anywhere else.

Just pack your patience while you’re at it. These are some of the most popular Christmas markets in the world.

Hotels Near the Frankfurt Christmas Markets

We stayed close to Frankfurt (Main) Hauptbahnhof for our visit to the Frankfurt Christmas markets. While the neighborhood isn’t the best, our hotel was affordable and comfortable.

If you’re here for a limited time, staying close to the station is a good option, whether you’re arriving by air or rail.

Love the sound of that? Book the IntercityHotel Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof Süd. I wish they had coffee on hand that didn’t involve getting the third degree from the buffet staff, but the property was quiet and centrally located.

If you like to shop around, browse the map below for more options:

Frankfurt is an underrated Christmas destination.

Germany doesn’t have a shortage of whimsical Christmas markets during the holiday season, and Frankfurt doesn’t always make the list of the best of the best.

While I admit I’ve seen better, I still ate a lot, drank a lot, laughed a lot, and had a wonderful Christmas time in Frankfurt.

Plan a visit to this one to see it for yourself, especially if you need a solid base in Germany for markets nearby.

Visiting France while you’re here? Check these out:

• Paris Is Always Worth the Trip. Read Why!
• A Guide to Beautiful Antibes, France
• How to Spend a Busy Weekend in Nice
• An Honest Review of Le Golf National
• Nice to Cannes: How to Plan a Great Trip

Planning travel elsewhere in Europe? Check out these guides:

• A Guide to Vienna’s Best Christmas Markets
• How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Poland
• Plan a Trip to Lucca from Florence, Italy
• A Detailed Guide to Italy’s Bologna
• Planning a Trip to Bucket List Iceland

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