Historischer Weihnachtsmarkt on the Rathausmarkt, Hamburg: 23 November to 23 December 2026

The market is run by Roncalli and, according to the city of Hamburg, puts a particular emphasis on sustainability. Its signature act is the flying Weihnachtsmann, who crosses the market in his sleigh above the visitors' heads.

The concept comes from Roncalli founder Bernhard Paul: narrow lanes and nostalgic stalls designed to evoke an earlier era, where craftspeople from across Germany, market traders and showmen sell their goods. Among the roughly 80 stalls, the Spielzeuggasse is one of the main draws, with toys from around the world, and several Themenstraßen group together crafts, wood carvings and Christmas decorations from traders of different regions.

Food and drink follow the same pattern. The air carries the smell of roasted almonds, Lebkuchen and nuts, and the Spezialitätengasse is set aside for out-of-the-ordinary specialities. The market pours its own Rathausmarkt-Glühwein, an organic mulled wine from a Pfälzer winemaker, made to a recipe developed specifically for this market.

Each day at 16, 18 and 20 Uhr the Weihnachtsmann, complete with sleigh and reindeer, floats over the grounds while telling the story of Rudolf the reindeer, and a historic carousel offers rides for children. On four days in Advent, at 14 and 17 Uhr, the Weihnachtsparade passes close to the market and turns the Mönckebergstraße into a fairy-tale procession.

The sustainability programme is spelled out by the city: the market runs on 100 percent green electricity, its LED light chains cut lighting energy by around 80 percent, the lights are switched off at 23 Uhr, and plastic packaging is banned. The fir trees come from sustainable forestry, 60 percent from northern Germany and 40 percent from Denmark.

The market stands in front of the Hamburger Rathaus, 20095 Hamburg. The tourist board states that every part of the site is step-free, that the nearest accessible toilet is in the Glasarkaden on the Rathausmarkt, and that the nearest step-free public transport stop is U3 Rathaus.