The Monday after the Sunday of the Dead is usually the traditional opening day for many Christmas markets in Germany. But the corona situation is currently becoming more dramatic every day. Some markets have therefore already been canceled, and a general ban has been issued in some federal states. TRAVELBOOK gives an overview of where and under which corona conditions the markets still open.
Fragrant mulled wine, candied apples and roasted almonds – many Christmas markets want to reopen in 2021. Not only visitors, but also organizers and exhibitors hope for a good season after the long Corona break. But the experience is in acute danger and has even been canceled in some places. Because with the increasing number of infections in Germany, major events are becoming more and more risky.
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Both Saxony and Bavaria want to break the corona wave with severe restrictions for unvaccinated people – which is why all Christmas markets have already been canceled. Outside of Bavaria and Saxony, depending on the federal state and the structure of the markets, some of which are fenced, strict rules apply, from 3G (visitors must be vaccinated, recovered or tested) to 2G (only vaccinated or recovered).
What Christmas markets when to open want and where which corona rules apply, you can read in the large TRAVELBOOK overview.
Overview of the Christmas markets in Germany in 2021
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Aachen
Of the Aachen Christmas Market is one of the most popular in Germany and opened as planned on November 19th. Till Schüler, chairman of the markets and action group City eV, which organizes the Aachen Christmas market, told TRAVELBOOK that they are always in close coordination with the authorities and that the state protection ordinance is adhered to.
3G applies to the entire Aachen Christmas market and it is checked on a random basis. 2G applies in so-called “lingering areas”, for example where people eat or drink mulled wine.
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The Christmas market in Aachen is to be open until December 23, 2021.
Cologne
The 3G rule applies to the Christmas markets in Cologne – that is, visitors must prove that they have been vaccinated against Corona, are considered recovered or have a negative Corona test. This is signposted and there will be spot checks.
“We believe in the functionality of 3G and 2G”, says a spokeswoman for KölnTourismus TRAVELBOOK. Basically, however, the assessment is up to the organizers and the city of Cologne and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Interested visitors should find out more on the website of the respective Christmas market before visiting.
The opening times of the Christmas markets in Cologne in 2021
- “Veedelsadvent on Chlodwig-Platz”: 22.11. – 23.12.2021
- Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral: 22.11. – 23.12.2021
- Christmas market in the city garden: 18.11. – 23.12.2021
- Harbor Christmas Market: 19.11. – 23.12.2021
- „Winterzauber Eigelstein“: 24.11. – 28.11.2021
- Christmas market at Rudolfplatz: 22.11. – 23.12.2021
- “Heinzels Winter Tale” in the old town: 22.11. – 23.12.2021
- “Market of Angels” on Neumarkt: November 22nd. – 23.12.2021
Berlin
With the “Winter Magic Berlin” the capital started on November 5, 2021. AOn Monday (November 22nd) there will be a few large and well-known markets, including the Christmas markets in Berlin at the Gedächtniskirche, the Rotes Rathaus and the Gendarmenmarkt.
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In Berlin, the mask requirement applies to 3G Christmas markets, but it is up to the organizers whether they use the 3G or 2G model. In the case of the latter, there is no mask requirement. The 3G rule should now be on the „Lucia Christmas Market “ in the Kulturbrauerei, in the “Winterwelt” on Potsdamer Platz and in the market on Breitscheidplatz. On the other hand, the markets are betting on the 2G model Gendarmenmarkt, am Red City Hall and in the citadel in Spandau.
Of the Christmas market in front of Charlottenburg Palace was canceled. In this context, the organizers referred to the state’s Infection Protection Ordinance, which does not permit the sale of alcohol on green spaces.
The opening times of the Christmas markets in Berlin in 2021
- Winter magic on Landsberger Allee: 5.11. – 19.12.2021
- “Christmas magic” at the Gendarmenmarkt: 22.11. – December 31, 2021
- “Lucia Christmas Market” in the Kulturbrauerei: 22.11. – 22.12.2021
- Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz: November 22nd, 2021 – January 2nd, 2022
- “Berlin Christmas Time” at the Rotes Rathaus: November 22nd, 2021 – January 2nd, 2022
- “Winter World” at Potsdamer Platz: October 28th, 2021 – January 2nd, 2022
- Christmas market at Alexanderplatz: 26.11. – 26.12.2021
- Market in Friedrichshain: November 18. – 22.12.2021
- Christmas market Zitadelle Spandau: 22.11. – 23.12.2021
- Charlottenburg Palace: canceled
Also interesting: Bahn is planning 50,000 more seats for Christmas
Munich and Nuremberg
In Bavaria, all Christmas markets in 2021 will be canceled due to the dramatic corona numbers in the Free State. This was announced by Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) on Friday. On Tuesday (November 16), the city of Munich canceled its largest and oldest Christmas market. “The dramatic situation in our clinics and the exponentially increasing numbers of infections leave me no other choice,” said Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD).
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Hamburg
In Hamburg, the historic Roncalli Christmas market reopened on the Rathausmarkt on Monday after a corona-related forced break last year. The Christmas market also starts at Gänsemarkt, in Eppendorf and in Hafencity. In addition, the gay and lesbian Christmas market “Winter Pride” starts in St. Georg.
In Hamburg the Senate decided that the organizers can decide for themselves whether to introduce a 2G or a 3G rule. However, the popular Christmas parade on the four Sundays of Advent had to be canceled due to the ongoing corona pandemic.
The opening times of the most popular Christmas markets in Hamburg in 2021
- Christmas market “Hafencity”: 22.11. – 12/30/2021
- “White magic” on Jungfernstieg: November 22nd. – 29.12.2021
- Historical Christmas market on the Rathausmarkt: 22.11. – 23.12.2021
- “Hanseatic Christmas” in Spitalerstraße: 18.11. – 12/30/2021
- „Santa Pauli“: 15.11. – 23.12.2021
- Winter Pride St. Georg: 22.11. – 30.12.2021
- „Wandsbeker Winterzauber“: 05.11.2021 – 02.01.2022
- Christmas market at the Apostle Church: November 18. – 22.12.2021
Dresden, Leipzig and Chemnitz
As in Bavaria, all Christmas markets in Saxony have been canceled – including the popular and nationally known Christmas markets in Leipzig and Chemnitz as well as the Dresden Striezelmarkt.
Frankfurt
The Christmas market in Frankfurt opened on Monday, November 22nd, – albeit with fewer stalls in a larger area. This should straighten out the market. As stipulated by the Hessian Coronavirus Protection Ordinance, it is mandatory to wear a mask in crowded situations and it is also mandatory to wear a mask when queuing at stands.
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All restaurants have separate consumption areas – alcoholic hot drinks such as mulled wine and hot Ebbelwoi are only sold here. “It will be different from 2019, but it will be an atmospheric Christmas market, with everything that goes with it,” said Mayor Peter Feldmann in a press release available to TRAVELBOOK.
Of the Christmas market in Frankfurt opens its doors until December 22nd.
Stuttgart
In Stuttgart the market opens its doors to visitors from the third week of November. As the Stuttgart newspaper writes, there are currently no considerations in Stuttgart City Hall to cancel the market. The start is still planned for November 24th.
The 3G rule applies to the Christmas market. In addition, there should be access controls at the food stalls.
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Dortmund
The popular “Christmas City” in Dortmund is already open – according to the current status, the 2G rule applies. The Christmas market is scheduled to open its doors until December 30, 2021. The Dortmund Christmas Village is canceled this year.
Düsseldorf
The 3G rule applies to the Christmas markets in Düsseldorf. The Christmas market on Rathausplatz is already open and is planned until December 30th
Magdeburg
The Christmas market was also opened in Magdeburg on November 22nd. The market should be open every working day at least until 10 p.m. so that a visit can also be planned outside of the busy weekend. Neither 3G nor 2G apply, but the store’s website lists stalls that offer indoor areas in accordance with 3G or 2G rules and with contact data recording.
The Magdeburg Christmas Market 2021 will take place until December 29th in the area of the Old Market.
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Hannover
The traditional Christmas market in Hanover’s old town also opened on November 22nd. As a precautionary measure, there are fewer stands in Hanover than usual, they are spread over a larger area. Strolling through the market should be possible without restrictions. However, the 2G rule applies to stands with catering in Hanover.
The Christmas market in Hanover is open until December 22nd.
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