looking for something specific?
With the smell of roasted chestnuts, sugared almonds, cinnamon, cloves and mulled wine, let yourself be enchanted by Heidelberg’s Altstadt this holiday season.
Over 140 booths of handworks, attractions and regional cuisine await the visitors of this year’s Christmas market, along with a number of holiday-themed cultural events.
Opening day festivities:
5:00 p.m.: Opening ceremony with choir, music and the Christ Child from Heidelberg (Marktplatz)
6:00 p.m.: Advent concert (Holy Ghost Church)
7:30 p.m.: Opening of the skating rink (Karlsplatz)
the Bismarktplatz…
… is the entrance to the Altstadt, and here the decorated stands are a wonderful way to start an unforgettable Christmas market visit.
the Anatomiegarten…
… holds an inviting array of unusual arts & crafts, and what’s not a shopping expedition without a mug of mulled wine, bratwurst or fresh-made crepes to help you along the way?
the University square…
… lures one with many gift ideas, such as hand-blown glass ornaments, ceramics, woodcrafts, candles, traditional German Christmas decorations and original Heidelberg photographs. Here you will also find a Christmas carousel, and at the booth “Zum heiteren Christkind” enjoy a mug of mulled wine, with the ability to keep the mug as a souvenir
the Market square…
… is where you can find the symbol of the market, the Heidelberg Christmas pyramid, in which revolve historical figures from Heidelberg’s history. Cinnamon stars and roasted almonds await visitors big and small at the house of Santa Claus.
the Corn market…
… is where the well-known Madonna statue compliments the view of the castle. And it is only fitting that the manger, together with a petting area with donkeys and sheep is also here this time if year.
the Karlsplatz…
… is the place to be this year – that is to ice skate! An open-air ice rink turns the Karlsplatz into a full-spirited ice landscape – with a beautiful view of the Heidelberg castle. Along with ice skating there is also mulled wine and cider, bratwurst or other yummy treats available, not to mention booths filled with Christmas crafts. Ice skate rental and coat room are also available.
Ice skating opening hours: Nov. 28 – Jan 6 daily from 10:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.*
*(Dec 24 closed, Dec 25 – 26 12:00 – 9:30)