Christmas markets in Hamburg
An (essentially still up-to-date) HVV rapid transit map from 2018, showing the location of popular Christmas markets. (C) HVV 2018, URL: https://www.hamburg.de/bus-bahn/7431400/hvv-weihnachtsmarkt/
Not only in the city center, but also in many districts from Altona to Winterhude, the scents of gingerbread, bratwurst and mulled wine waft through the stalls in December. So a Greet through the city center or through one of Hamburg’s many districts can easily end with a visit to a Christmas market or take a break there. And we Greeters can of course give guests good tips on where to visit the Christmas market.
Here you can see a small personal selection of Christmas markets.
City center between Gänsemarkt and central station
The traditional Roncalli Christmas market takes place on the Rathausmarkt. Father Christmas flies over the heads of the amazed visitors three times a day in his sleigh pulled by reindeer. To the west of this, the “White Magic” market on the Jungfernstieg leads to the “Fairytale Gingerbread Village” on the Gänsemarkt. To the east, you will find the Christmas market at St Peter’s Church, the “Winter Forest” on Gerhart-Hauptmann-Platz and then the market in Spitalerstraße with its brick-look stalls, which stretches all the way to the main railway station.
Altona-Ottensen
The entire Ottenser Hauptstraße between Altona station and Spritzenplatz is transformed into a colorful, lively and diverse Christmas market. There is plenty on offer for children: a carousel, puppet theater and Christmas music with Knickebein the witch. Many adults appreciate the culinary delights and drinks on offer. The Tallinn stand next to the Ottenser Torbogen near Spritzenplatz is very popular, where white mulled wine is served following an Estonian recipe.
St. Georg and St. Pauli
On the corner of Lange Reihe and Kirchenallee, St. Georg’s WINTERPRIDE – the market for queers and friends invites you to take a stroll. And on Spielbudenplatz in St. Pauli, “Santa Pauli – Hamburg’s hottest Christmas market” tests the boundaries between classic Christmas tradition and frivolous neighbourhood life. Also in St. Pauli: the cosy winter market right on the Elbe at “Strand Pauli” next to the Old Elbe Tunnel.
Hafencity
Hamburg’s youngest district also has its own Christmas market on Überseeboulevard. Here, a winter mini golf course decorated with penguins and candy canes invites you to play, and at the public Christmas Calendar, the Christmas angels open a new door every day in December at 6 pm and hand out presents to the lucky ones among the visitors.
And many, many more!
Of course, there are many, many more Christmas markets in Hamburg.
On the Fleetinsel near Stadthausbrücke, for example. In Barmbek, Blankenese, Eimsbüttel, Eppendorf, Hoheluft, Niendorf, Rotherbaum, Wandsbek, Winterhude. South of the Elbe at Harburg Town Hall and in the south-east on the Bille in Bergedorf.
All about “Greets”
- How long is a greet? 2-3 hours and completely free of charge
- Max. 6 persons, no combined groups
- Meeting point and route are accorded between guests and greeter
- Request: minimum two weeks before desired date
- More about Greets