Hamburg Weihnachtsmarkt, Hamburg Christmas Markets 2023

HAMBURG – THE CHRISTMAS CAPITAL OF THE NORTH:

Christmas market at the Rathausplatz

The city of Hamburg stakes its claim as the Christmas capital of the north.  This is because nowhere else in the north of Germany are there so many Christmas markets within such a close proximity of each other. Just from the main train station to its neo-Renaissance Town Hall, there are no less than five different Hamburg Christmas markets to be enjoyed.

Hamburg Weihnachtsmarkt

During the festive season, visitors to Hamburg can discover history, tradition and the city’s Hanseatic heritage at one of the many wonderful Hamburg Christmas markets. From the delightful to the unusual, there is a good range of Christmas markets to experience.

Weißerzauber Jungfernstieg

In this lively metropolis, you can choose from the Traditional Weihnachtsmarkt to the Craft Christmas Market on Mönckebergstraße, or the maritime flavour of the Christmas market on Fleetinsel.

Hamburg Weihnachtsmarkt – Travelsignposts

Then there is the Christmas Market in the vibrant nightlife district of Reeperbahn, and the Weißerzauber (White Magic) on the Jungfernstieg, just to mention a few. But the prettiest of Hamburg’s Christmas markets is the one that is set up outside Hamburg’s impressive Town Hall.

Rathausmarkt Christmas Market

Hosted by Roncalli’s Circus, its lovingly decorated stalls are laden with confectionery, toys, crafts and the punch is even served by clowns and circus artistes. And its old-fashioned carousels never fail to bring a gleam to everyone’s eyes, not just the children’s.

Roncalli Circus Pavillion

Christmas isn’t Christmas without Santa! So, every day at 16:00, 18:00 and 20:00 Santa Claus flies his reindeer sleigh up to the sky, high over the roofs of the Christmas Market stalls, telling the story of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. The sleigh whizzes by so quickly so you’ve got to be quick to catch shots of Santa flying by.

Food and Drinks

Renbierhütte is a popular Rathaus glühwein stall. While waiting for Santa to make an appearance, you can enjoy a hot drink here.

Popular glühwein stall

No one goes hungry at Hamburg’s Christmas markets. There are a number of stalls offering bratwurst, Germany’s favourite snack food, and others selling chocolates and biscuits in beautiful souvenir boxes.

Cheerful girls at the Lambertz stall

Other Hamburg Christmas Attractions

Hamburg Weihnachtsmarkt – Travelsignposts

During the festive season, Hamburg has so much to offer: You can enjoy a mug of glühwein on a boat trip on the Alster, or visit a Christmas exhibition in one of the city museums.

Every Saturday during Advent there is a Christmas parade through the festively decorated city centre. (Note: Hamburg has been using green energy for its lighting since last year, but in order to make further savings, lights will be switched off from 11 pm.)

Hamburg is a city that is famous for its musicals and Hamburg’s theatres are a magical space for young and old alike. There’s also  the ‘fairytale ship’ anchored along the Jungfernstieg promenade.

For those who prefer classical music, there’s the option of enjoying music at the much-loved Laeiszhalle-Musikhalle.

A visit to Hamburg’s Christmas markets is indeed an unforgettable experience, but this harbour city offers lots of other Hamburg attractions.

Below are some of the 2023 Hamburg Christmas Markets to choose from:

Historic Roncalli Christmas Market (Nov. 27 – Dec. 23, 2023)
Rathausmarkt Square
Daily from 11:00 – 21:00 (Fri and Sat until 22:00)

Maritime Christmas Markets
– Fleetinsel (Nov. 23 – Dec. 29, 2023)
– HafenCity (Nov. 20 – Dec. 30, 2023)
Daily from 12:00 – 21:00

Traditional Christmas Market (Nov. 20 – Dec. 30, 2023) | Closed on 25 Dec)
St. Peter’s Church
Gerhard-Hauptmann-Platz, Spitalerstrasse
Daily from 10:30 – 21:00

Christmas Market at Gänsemarkt  (Nov. 23 – Dec. 23, 2023)
Gänsemarkt Square
Sun – Thur  11:00 – 21:00  |  Fri & Sat  11:00 – 22:00

Christmas Market at Jungfernstieg (Nov. 23 – Dec. 29, 2023)
Closed on 24-25 Dec 2023
Daily from 11:00 – 21:00 (Saturday till 22:00)

Santa Pauli on the Reeperbahn (November 13 – December 23, 2023)
Mon – Wed 16:00 – 23:00 | Thurs 16:00 – 00:00 | Fri  & Sat 13:00 – 01:00 am | Sun 13:00 – 23:00

Hamburg Winterdom Fair (Nov. 18 – Dec. 23, 2023)
Heiligengeistfeld
Mon – Thur 15:00 – 23:00 | Fri & Sat 15:00 – 00:00 | Sun 14:00 – 23:00

Where to Stay in Hamburg

There are no less than 260 hotels in Hamburg for visitors to choose from. Just within Hamburg Mitte (Central Hamburg), there are over 130 hotels so careful planning is required for your Christmas Market stay.

Luxury hotels like the Westin Hamburg, Park Hyatt Hamburg, Sofitel Hamburg and the Steigenberger Hotel Hamburg are in the Altstadt (Old Town) which is convenient for the Rathausmarkt Historical Christmas Market. In the Neustadt (New Town), hotels range from the 5-star Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten on the beautiful Lake Alster to the very popular 2-star Motel One Hamburg am Michel. For those who want to enjoy Santa Pauli on the Reeperbahn, then the hotels in St. Pauli may be convenient. For the complete list of Hamburg hotels, see HERE.

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