Quick Guide to Leipzig Christmas Market 2022

Christmas in Germany is a magical time and one city in the East that should definitely be on your travel list is Leipzig in Saxony. With the Leipzig Christmas Market sprawling out through its city center, you can plan for a cozy walk with delicious scents of Christmas fare filling the air. Here’s what you should know.

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What are the Leipzig Christmas Market opening times?

German Christmas markets don’t open prior to the Sunday before the first Advent. That Sunday commemorates the dead. For Leipzig Christmas Market 2019, here are the official opening times and hours:

• Augustusplatz square: 22 November to 23 December 2022
• Felsenkeller Winter Garden: 24 November to 23 December 2022
• Feinkost Leipzig Christmas market: 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, and 18 December 2022
• WERK 2 Leipzig Christmas market: 9 to 18 December 2022

If you speak German, you can read more about the various markets here.

How to get to Leipzig Christmas Market?

As is typical, the Christmas market in Leipzig is right in the city center. Parking might be limited because it’s popular, but you can stay a little outside and then take the tram or bus. The closest stop is Thomas church (Thomaskirche).

If you take the S train, get off at Leipzig Markt. This stop is right by the Leipzig market square and townhall, which makes up the heart of the Christmas markets in Leipzig.

Alternatively, you can get off the tram or bus at Augustusplatz. Here, you are right at the start. You can’t miss it at all! Follow the trail of Leipzig’s Christmas market huts past the Naschmarkt and to the Nikolai Church (Nikolaikirche) as well.

What makes Leipzig Christmas Market special?

Leipzig has several Christmas markets, which are all connected. Many towns in Germany have multiple markets with different themes, which typically include a medieval Christmas market. In Leipzig, however, you have an international approach instead.

In 2019 the Leipzig Christmas Market included a Finnish and Tyrol Christmas market at Augustus square (Augustusplatz). You can get fare that’s typical for each country/region. For instance, for Finland that’s smoked salmon, berry mulled wine and Glögli. Products sold at the finnische Weihnachtsdorf is also inspired by Scandinavia and includes Nordic design, furs and delicatessen.

Main Christmas Market

The main Leipzig Christmas Market location is right in front of the historic townhall, which is now a city museum. It’s a gorgeous setting with historic houses in wonderfully restored facades and archways wrapped with Christmas decorations.

The market feels very intimate and grand at the same time; it’s very cosy. Fun fact: Leipzig has hosted ist Christmas market here since 1458, making it Germany’s second oldest Christmas market.

In total, there are over 250 market stalls as well as the 20 meter (65,62 feet) high spruce tree in the middle. Decorated of course. Should you want to take it all in from above, you can hop on the Ferris wheel, which is 38 meters (124,67 feet) high.

What are typical fare and souvenirs?

Maybe you want to try something unique to Leipzig and the region during your Christmas market visit in Leipzig? Since you are so close to the Ore Mountains, how about you get yourself a wooden Christmas pyramid or candle arch?

These are very classic German Christmas staples and rather iconic. They are certainly not cheap and difficult to transport, so travel with space in your suitcase or be prepared to have them shipped. There are small, pocketsize versions available as well.

Do you like chocolate? Try the local, round-shaped chocolate Leipziger Linden-Taler. Included in the package is a small brochure about Leipzig (in English and German!).

For pastries, give the Leipziger Lerche a try. It looks like a cupcake with a cross on top and was originally made with a Lerche (lark). After that lead to killing of a lot of birds, the meat was replaced with almonds, nuts, jam or marzipan and is now a local staple.

Beer lovers need to sample Leipziger Gose made with coriander and ocean salt, making it taste just a little sour. Leipziger Allasch is a liquor that should be sampled as well. Then, there’s also honey mead. Of course, you certainly should try Glühwein (mulled wine).

At different market locations around town you can get your hot beverage served in different mugs, which you can keep. Or return to get your deposit back. Germans love collecting these mugs as they differ between markets and from year to year.

When it comes to non-alcoholic drinks, you can get the punch for children (Kinderpunsch) or hot apple cider.

Should you enjoy pottery, there’s also a stall by Echt Buergeler, which is a famous pottery maker from the town of Bürgel in Thuringia. All their earthenware is painted in their trademark blues with white dots in various patterns. In 2019 they only visit four Christmas markets in the country.

Old Town Christmas Market

Right behind the town hall is the next market. On the square called Naschmarkt, you can find a cozy little market, which has been taking place since 1994. On weekends, there are live perfomances.

In line with the location name (naschen means “snacking”), you can unleash your inner foodie here.

Find freshly baked or grilled goods, have a drink or taste some sweets like roasted and sugar coated almonds. Meatlovers will really love it here as they can dig into sausages, knuckles and skewers. Vegetarians have the option of garlic breads or pancakes, for example.

• Open from 26 November to 22 December 2019