Festival of Light in Magdeburg © Adobe Stock, Uwe Graf
 

Christmas magic in Saxony-Anhalt

Our Christmas markets

Romantic, colorful, and atmospheric – for many people, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Before gathering with your loved ones around the Christmas tree, a visit to the Advent and Christmas markets in Saxony-Anhalt will put you in the perfect holiday mood. These markets offer not only a variety of handcrafted gifts and delicious treats but also an incomparable ambiance that heightens the anticipation for the festive season.

Magdeburg

25.11. – 29.12.2024

From November 25 to December 29, 2024, the Magdeburg Christmas market will welcome visitors to the sparkling capital of Saxony-Anhalt. This festive event promises a delightful experience for all ages, featuring a charming mix of holiday decorations, festive stalls, and a vibrant atmosphere.

Complementing the Christmas market is the stunning Festival of Light, which runs from November 25, 2024, to February 2, 2025. This captivating event transforms the city into a dazzling wonderland with over 1.2 million LED lights and 80 large light installations illuminating the streets and squares. Visitors can take an evening stroll through the beautifully lit city, experiencing the magic of Magdeburg as it sparkles under the winter sky. Entrance is free.

Festival of Light in Magdeburg
© Andreas Lander

Wernigerode 

22.11. – 22.12.2024

The Christmas market in Wernigerode is one of the most popular in the Harz region. This year, it will be delighting guests with its romantic atmosphere from November 22 to December 22. Against the backdrop of the historic town hall and the many brightly colored half-timbered houses, more than 50 traders and food stall proprietors will invite visitors to take a stroll through the town. This picturesque medieval town in the Harz region is the ideal destination during Advent with its traditional crafts, delicious food and live music.  

Bright Lights in Wernigerode
© Krzysztof Baranowski
Bright Lights in Wernigerode
© Krzysztof Baranowski

Quedlinburg

27.11. – 22.12.2024

The Quedlinburg Christmas market is a jewel among Saxony-Anhalt’s festive offerings. Twice recognized as the most beautiful in Saxony-Anhalt, this UNESCO World Heritage town transforms into a winter wonderland during the Advent season.

Adding to the enchantment is the Quedlinburg Advent calendar, a daily spectacle where one of the historic houses around Castle Hill reveals a new surprise. At the heart of Quedlinburg’s Christmas magic is the unique “Advent in the Courtyards” event. On Advent weekends, around 20 historic half-timbered houses in the town’s center open their usually private courtyards to the public. This one-of-a-kind experience in Germany allows visitors to step into the hidden world behind Quedlinburg’s picturesque facades, each courtyard offering its own festive charm and local specialties.

Quedlinburg at Christmas
© Andrea Fleischmann, Quedlinburg-Tourismus-Marketing GmbH

Halle (Saale)

26.11. – 23.12.2024

From November 26 to December 23, 2024, Halle (Saale) transforms into a winter wonderland with its enchanting Christmas markets spread across the marketplace. The festive spirit continues with the Wintermarkt from December 26, 2024, to January 5, 2025, offering visitors an extended opportunity to enjoy the holiday atmosphere. Every weekend in Advent, there is a campfire with mulled wine and a guided torchlit procession at the Romanesque castle of Giebichenstein.

For a truly unforgettable experience, visitors can ascend the Hausmannstürme, two of the four towers of the Market Church. After a guided tour, guests are treated to Halle’s highest winter lounge, where they can savor a glass of mulled wine while taking in breathtaking views of the illuminated Christmas market and the city’s rooftops.

Halle's Winter Lounge with Mulled Wine and a View
© IMG Sachsen-Anhalt, Alf Maron
Halle’s Winter Lounge with Mulled Wine and a View
© IMG Sachsen-Anhalt, Alf Maron

Naumburg

25.11. – 22.12.2024

Visitors to Naumburg in Advent can enjoy the beautiful decorations in the old town, a small Christmas market and the unique Naumburg nativity scene with its larger-than-life wooden figures. The courtyards, vaulted rooms, towers and chapels, together with the magnificent organ concerts at weekends, are an unforgettable Christmas experience. There are also mulled wine walks to enjoy in the vineyards.

Additionally, the romantic vineyards in Naumburg and Roßbach provide a fairytale backdrop for a special Advent celebration on the fourth weekend of Advent. Guests can enjoy regional wines, homemade mulled wine, locally crafted items, and delicious local dishes and sweet treats, complemented by small exhibitions and musical performances.

Advent in the vineyards
© IMG Sachsen-Anhalt, Alf Maron
Advent in the vineyards
© IMG Sachsen-Anhalt, Alf Maron
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