2023 Guide to Christmas Markets in Hamburg plus one off-the-beaten-path

Where is your dream Christmas market destination? I created a list with Christmas Markets after I visited the ones in Hamburg, Berlin and Dresden in Germany and Vienna in Austria. Today, we are going to have a closer look at Hamburg’s Christmas Markets. Hamburg in the far north of Germany is officially called Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, and neighbouring states are Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony. Germany’s second-largest city has forever been called the ‘gateway to the world’ because of its large port.

2023 Guide to Christmas Markets in Hamburg plus one off-the-beaten-path

Most visitors come to town to visit the port and its surrounding boroughs (or districts). Hamburg has always been the meeting place for people from different nations and cultures. The city by the river Elbe is well known for its red-light district and that has always attracted seafarers visiting the port town. It was just announced that a street in the new centre is going to be named after a famous prostitute who died in 2009. She worked in Hamburg as a domina and later as a street worker for drug-addicted girls. A total of ten streets will be named after famous Hamburg women to remind people of the city's history. There is a lot of history to discover on a trip to Hamburg, but if you visit in December, you would want to start with the Christmas markets. You will find everything from handcrafted wooden products to delicious German Christmas delicacies, up to the ever so popular mulled wine. It is December, and if you spent a few hours outside, you most certainly need hot drinks to stay warm and enjoy the fun.

In many German homes, Christmas remains more of a quiet and traditional time. But then there are also the beloved Christmas Markets. More than six million visitors come to see the 18 Christmas markets of Hamburg each Christmas season. You can start planning your Christmas season trip to Hamburg with this choice of five markets plus one magical and off-the-beaten-path Christmas Market, that is forty kilometres from town and easy to reach by bus. It is best to come hungry.

2023 Guide to Five Fantastic Christmas Markets in Hamburg plus one off the beaten path



1. Christmas Market Jungfernstieg Hamburg 2023


Christmas market with an amazing view of Hamburg. There is a giant Christmas tree on a pontoon, on the river Alster and at the quay, there are lots of colourful small vessels plus a huge Ferris wheel. Due to its location, there is this winterly breeze. It is magical, wait till you see the Christmas parade, and inquire at one of the stalls for the times of the Christmas Parade on weekends.


Christmas Market Jungfernstieg Hamburg Germany ponton

Christmas Market Jungfernstieg Hamburg Germany biscuit cutters

Jungfernstieg Hamburg Germany Christmas Parade Dancers Father Christmas


Information: 23 November to 29 December 2023. Hours: 11am to 9pm. Closed 24 and 25 December 2023.

2. Traditional Christmas Market at the Town Hall Hamburg 2023

 
This is a massive market in front of the town hall. It is a pretty maze of little lanes, and yes, these lanes are packed with people who love this Christmas Market as much as everybody. You can buy handmade toys, delicacies, soap, flowers, and Christmas decoration. There are lots of stalls that sell mulled wine, sweet treats and food. Watch out for Father Christmas, occasionally gliding over the market on his slide.

Historical Christmas Market at the Town Hall Hamburg Germany

Christmas Market Jungfernstieg Hamburg Germany Christmas Decoration

Historical Christmas Market Town Hall Hamburg Germany

Information: 27 November to 23 December 2023. Hours: 11am to 9pm. Friday and Saturday 11am to 10pm.

3. Christmas Market Fleetinsel Hamburg 2023


A maritime-inspired picturesque little Christmas Market on an island between the Alster and the river Elbe. It is slightly off the beaten path, and well worth the short walk. From here it is only a few more steps to the port of Hamburg.

Stall Bakery Christmas Market Fleetinsel Hamburg Germany


Information: 27 November to 23 December 2023. Hours: 12pm to 9pm.

4. Christmas Market Gerhart-Hauptmann-Platz Hamburg 2023


This one is just off the main shopping strip and has the atmosphere of a tiny village. There are many wooden stalls selling a Christmassy choice of delicacies, but the real highlight is an old merry-go-round.

Christmas Market Gerhart-Hauptmann-Platz Hamburg Germany merry go round

Christmas Market Gerhart-Hauptmann-Platz Hamburg Germany roasted chestnuts

Christmas Market Gerhart-Hauptmann-Platz Hamburg Germany chocolate


Information: 23 November to 23 December 2023. Hours: Monday to Sunday 11am to 11pm.

5. Christmas Market Spitalerstrasse Hamburg 2023


Romantic looking Christmas Market on one the biggest shopping streets in Hamburg, have a browse, you will find lots of handcrafted things. It conveniently leads directly to the central station.

Candles Lamps Lightning Christmas Market Spitalerstrasse Hamburg Germany


Felt covers Moin Moin Christmas Market Spitalerstrasse  Hamburg German


Information: 23 November to 30 December 2023. Hours: 11am to 9pm (hours food stalls 11am to 11pm). Closed 24/25/26 December 2023.

6. Christmas Market off the beaten path: Basthorst in Schleswig-Holstein 2023


This is certainly one of the cutest Christmas Markets in Germany. Travel Germany - Wonderful Gut Basthorst Christmas Market 2023.

Gut Basthorst Hamburg Schleswig Holstein Germany Christmas Market

 

How to get to Hamburg?


Visit the website of Hamburg airport to find your flight. Please do not fly within Germany, but always use the train. Visit the website of the Deutsche Bahn to search for train tickets. 
 
 The article has been updated in October 2023 for accuracy.