Christmas Markets in Stuttgart
Mulled wine, hot punch and gingerbread are as much a part of the Christmas season as festive lighting and romantic Christmas markets. As the days get shorter and the nights colder, all of this, and more, is waiting for in Stuttgart. Especially beautiful: The hills around Stuttgart offer magnificent views of the brightly lit city centre. Especially regional: The many traditional “Besenwirtschaften” are the perfect place to enjoy homemade specialities and young wine. Checkout the ARCOTEL destination tips for your pre-Christmas trip to Stuttgart.
IN THE CITY
STUTTGART CHRISTMAS MARKET
With around 290 stalls and over 300 years of tradition, this is one of the most impressive Christmas markets in all of Europe. The market stretches from the New Palace and Königsbau over to Schillerplatz, with the Old Palace and Stiftskirche, and on to Marktplatz. The lovingly decorated roofs of the market stands, featuring images of jolly old Saint Nick with his white beard, traditional nativity figures or beautiful winter landscapes, are particularly inspiring. When it comes to culinary delights, there are plenty of traditional treats to choose from. Springerle, anise-flavoured biscuits with an embossed design, have been a staple at the market for many years. You can also buy the wooden moulds used to make the special cookies. Hutzelbrot, a sweet fruitcake made from dark bread dough, is another must as you stroll through the Christmas markets in Stuttgart.
GLANZLICHTER STUTTGART
Germany’s longest pedestrian zone, the 1.2 km long Königstraße, is lit in a captivating display of lights every Christmas season, as thousands of LEDs hanging from more than 100 trees bathe the street in a warm white light. Since 2021, Schulstraße has formed an illuminated link between Königstraße and the Christmas Market at Marktplatz, with a sky of lights consisting of 29,000 warm-white LEDs and small curtains of light on the sides to lend the scene a festive atmosphere.
WOUAHOU WINTERDORF
A giant, 200 m² heated tepee with wooden floor and lots of love forms the heart of the Winter Village at Marienplatz. A refreshing break from consumerist Christmas glee and the hustle and bustle of the city centre, Wouahou Winterdorf offers a colorful alternative to the standard holiday market. Live bands and DJ’s, laid-back background music, a beautifully decorated environment, lots of amazing vendors and special initiatives make this lavishly illuminated winter village shine. Visitors will find atypical culinary offerings as well as a wide selection of unique Christmas gifts and can even get creative themselves, crafting their own dreamcatcher and upcycling gifts, making their own campfire bread, browsing through the flea market, swapping clothes and much more…
CHRISTMAS GARDEN
If you love architecture, nature and contemporary light art, you’ll find what you’re looking for at the Christmas Garden Stuttgart. In winter, the Wilhelma zoological-botanical garden is transformed into a romantic fairytale landscape with glittering lights and audiovisual effects. The approximately 2 km long circular path takes visitors past glowing animal sculptures and laser animations in the impressive stand of sequoia trees.
IN THE REGION
BAROQUE CHRISTMAS MARKET IN LUDWIGSBURG
The Ludwigsburg Baroque Christmas Market fulfils (almost) all Christmas wishes, with hand puppets and music boxes, antique and modern Christmas tree decorations, 180 market stalls with handicrafts and creative ideas. For your culinary pleasures, there are Swabian specialities like Schupfnudeln (the local version of gnocchi) or Holzofendinnede (a tarte flambée-like delicacy). The gingerbread at Ludwigsburg’s Baroque Christmas Market is traditional and fresh from the oven. The music performances in the evening hours help set the mood for the end of the day.
MEDIEVAL MARKET AND CHRISTMAS MARKET IN ESSLINGEN
The Medieval Market and Christmas Market in Esslingen features merchants in historical costumes selling their wares just as they did hundreds of years ago. Dyeworkers, feltmakers, blacksmiths and glassblowers are on hand to demonstrate their old artisanal skills. As stiltwalkers, jugglers, fire-eaters and minstrels cavort among the more than 200 stalls. The concert of medieval music in St. Paul’s Minster and the impressive backdrop of half-timbered houses and romantic alleys ensure that the Esslingen Medieval Market and Christmas Market is as eventful as any other.
