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Frankfurt Christmas Market

The magic of Christmas in Frankfurt

Starting at Roßmarkt, the Christmas market stretches along the Zeil promenade all the way down to Römerberg and the River Main. Visitors may expect elaborately decorated stalls offering handicrafts and Christmas specialties from around the world, as well as a towering Christmas tree at Römerberg, set against the picturesque backdrop of the Old Town and St Paul's Square.

There are also many festive stalls at Hauptwache. A visit is well worth it, as Frankfurt's largest shopping street, the Zeil, located just opposite Hauptwache, invites visitors for some holiday shopping.

When at the Frankfurt Christmas Market, make sure to sample the many traditional local specialties.

The famous Bethmännchen, a sweet marzipan pastry, are a must during the Advent season. They pair perfectly with a cup of hot apple wine, an essential in Frankfurt, especially on cold winter days.

Christmas City Break

Package Deal

  • Overnight stay including breakfast at a hotel of your choice
  • 1 bag of roasted almonds
  • Christmas surprise
  • Guided city walk: Advent Stroll through Frankfurt's new old town
  • Admission to the Palmengarten (botanical garden)
  • Admission to the Main Tower (observation platform)
  • Ticket for a river cruise in Frankfurt with Primus Line (Thursday to Sunday only)
  • Frankfurt Card for two days

From 105 € per person/double room

© #visitfrankfurt, Holger Ullmann

Historical splendour

The origin of the
Frankfurt Christmas Market

The year of 1393 was a particular highlight in the historical development of the Christmas market. That Christmas, the wedding of Landgrave Wilhelm of Hesse and the daughter of the Elector of the Palatinate was celebrated. The chronicle reports that the Elector, along with his entourage and guests, rode into Frankfurt with 1,000 horses.

The "Christkindchesmarkt" of that time was still missing the key symbol of today's Christmas market, the famous Christmas tree. It wasn't until the beginning of the 19th century that the fir tree became a popular Christmas decoration. In Frankfurt, the Sachsenhausen merchants had the privilege of offering the best trees for sale in the Römerhalle before Christmas. Over time, this sale shifted to the area in front of the Römer.

  • At that time, the Christkindchesmarkt was an exclusively Frankfurt affair, with no outsiders allowed, which gave the market its distinct Frankfurt character over time.
  • The finest traditional handcrafted goods were offered, alongside toys, sweets, and Christmas gifts.
  • Toys were mainly simple wooden carts and “cloth dolls”. Over time, wooden hobby horses and rocking horses were also added.
  • Until the 1870s and 1880s, it was customary for Frankfurt parents to buy toys for their children exclusively at the Christmas market.
Zwei Personen arbeiten gemeinsam am Computer im Büro.
© #visitfrankfurt, David Vasicek
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Tel: +49 69 / 24 74 55 400, info@infofrankfurt.de