Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt - Christmasmarket
Learn more about the attractions on the Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt
From November 27th until December 23rd, 2019 Stuttgart city is presenting itself with glistening Christmas stalls with beautiful decorated roofs, sparkling lights and a wonderful atmosphere.
More than 3.5 million visitors come to Stuttgart every year to one of the most famous and oldest markets in Germany and Europe. In a special atmosphere you can experience the special Christmas mood with typical Christmas cookies /food and mulled wine, carols and millions of lights.
The tradition of the Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt is dated back over 300 years. The first official market privilege is known to date back to 1507. In it, Duke Ulrich of Württemberg cedes the town of Stuttgart the right to collect stall fees at the annual fairs. At first there was a horse market on St. Ottmar’s Day (16 November), but then the annual market grew and slowly expanded closer to Christmas.
This year 300 stalls present themselves for 26 days in the middle of Stuttgart. The stalls are beautifully and individually decorated. A specialty of Stuttgart are the different decorations on the roofs. So keep looking up to the top! They are located from the “Neuen Schloss” and “Königsbau” to the “Karlsplatz” and “Schillerplatz” squares with the “Alten Schloss” and then on to the “Marktplatz” market square via the “Stiftskirche” church.
In the stalls you find everything you can imagine: the range of wares include wooden toys, crib figurines, arts and crafts, jewelry, sweet delights and culinary delicacies from all over the world, kitchen ware, candles, hats/socks/scarfs and much more. Further there is an Antique Market on the Karlsplatz square. Here is a map to get an overview: https://www.stuttgarter-weihnachtsmarkt.de/en/general/general-plan/
This set aside there are many other attractions for young and old.
Especially for children there is a lot to see and to do:
On the Schlossplatz there is the Children’s Fairyland. Here is a mini railway where little visitors can drive through a winter landscape. Also, there is a mini big wheel and two nostalgic fairground rides.
At Melanie Weeber’s gingerbread stall (also Schlossplatz) you can try to make your own gingerbread hearts. With the help of icing, pearls and little flowers, everybody can decorate his individual heart. Thirty minutes later and your creations are dried, packed and wait to be collected.
If you love chocolate, you should try to make your own chocolate fruits. (Schlossplatz, Christian von Berg’s “Candy Schokofrüchte”). Strawberries, pineapples, apples, bananas and grapes –you can choose if you want to dip it in the fountains with dark, whole milk or white chocolate. It is so tasty!
For a true Christmas bakery adventure, you can go to “Bäckerei Lang” (Schlossplatz) At the children’s bakery you can, guided by nice staff, create and bake your own colorful traditional Christmas cookies made of shortcrust pastry.
Another event not to miss is the live nativity scene of the Christmas crib. Two little lambs, two sheep, a donkey and two goats live in the crib in the Sporerstraße across from the Markthalle /the market hall. Children and also the adults love it.
Free childcare at the Rathaus - read more here - in German but opening times and location can be understood.
Free Child Care
Music & Choirs
There is also a great musical program. Every year choirs and music groups from the Stuttgart region treat the visitors from all over the world to Christmassy tunes and carols. The daily concerts in the inner courtyard of the “Alten Schloss” and on the town hall steps add to the festive atmosphere. Here you can see the program: https://www.stuttgarter-weihnachtsmarkt.de/en/concerts/
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To take your time for a visit. Especially when it is getting dark the lights are amazing. In the afternoon on the weekends the market is really crowded. Going with a buggy it not recommended. But it is worth to go there even with younger children. The atmosphere is unbelievable!
Enjoy your exploration of one of the biggest and oldest Christmas Markets in Europe!
Opening times
23 Nov to 23 Dec 2022
Monday - Thursday: 10am - 9pm
Friday - Saturday: 10am - 10pm
Sunday: 10am - 9pm
Read all about the Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarket here
November 2019 Dr. Christine Krämer
This blog post is a personal recommendation and based on personal experience. It has been prepared with the greatest possible care and does not claim to be correct, complete or up-to-date.“ Picture credit: Stuttgarter Marketing GmbH
