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A Guide to the Frankfurt Christmas Markets
A Guide to the Frankfurt Christmas Markets
20 July 2026
Frankfurt Christmas Markets are some of the most well-known around the world, making Frankfurt's Old Town a must-see during winter in Germany. The area is filled with charming Christmas markets, where you can find a variety of traditional German decorations, handmade crafts, and delicious food and drinks.The centrepiece, the Weihnachtsmarkt am Römerberg, brings a beautiful Christmas tree, live music, and over 150 stalls selling everything from gingerbread to handmade jewellery, while the Old Town's Christmas lighting display lines the streets with twinkling lights, adding to the magic.
If you're planning your trip, Capri by Fraser Frankfurt puts you within easy walking distance of the Old Town and its markets, with comfortable serviced apartments suited to a short festive break or a longer winter stay. Check out the list below of Frankfurt Christmas Markets not to be missed this year:
1. Frankfurt Christmas Market
The main Frankfurt Christmas Market spreads across Römerberg and the surrounding squares. Located near the Hauptwache station, it's easily accessible by underground trains (UBahn) or fast trains (SBahn). There are numerous Christmas stalls to be found at the Hauptwache, offering array of food and drinks, including the traditional German sausage (Bratwurst) and, of course, German beer!
Frankfurt's largest shopping mile, the Zeil, just across the Hauptwache, is perfect for your Christmas shopping. And don't forget the famous carousel at one of the most popular Frankfurt Christmas markets, situated in the iconic Römer! It typically runs from late November through to just before Christmas each year, generally opening from mid-morning to around 9pm daily, with slightly shorter hours on Sundays, though it's worth checking current times before you go. The market spans Römerberg, St Paul's Square, Main Quay, Hauptwache, and Friedrich Stoltze Square.
2. Christmas Market at the Goethe Tower (Weihnachtsmarkt am Goetheturm)
Sachsenhausen Christmas market unfolds in a wonderfully romantic backdrop, right at the forest’s edge, beneath the iconic Goethe Tower. Indulge in delectable sweet and savoury delights, enjoy both hot and cold beverages, explore handicrafts, take a whirl on the children’s carousel, bask in the warm glow of fairy lights, and savour the unmistakable aroma of a Christmas market. It typically runs from mid-to-late November until just before Christmas, with weekday afternoons and evenings giving way to earlier, all-afternoon opening at weekends.
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3. Swedish Christmas Market (Schwedischer Weihnachtsmarkt)
At the Christmas Market of the Swedish Church Community in Frankfurt, held annually over the first weekend of Advent at An der Wolfsweide 54, you can again expect a pre-Christmas atmosphere with musical surprises and a rich offer of Swedish products and specialties. In addition to lovingly decorated stalls with handicrafts (Hemslöjd), jewellery from Lapland, textiles, Swedish glass and crystal, you will find a raffle with surprise packages. Maybe try the fragrant Swedish Glögg (mulled wine), served with almonds and raisins? The market runs across the Saturday and Sunday, generally during daytime hours.
4. Christmas Market at Schloss Höchst (Weihnachtsmarkt Frankfurt-Höchst)
As a tradition, the Christmas market at Hochster Schlossplatz square takes place on the first weekend of Advent. With the backdrop of the Hochster Altstadt, complete with castle right on the banks of the River Main, this Christmas market enjoys a very special atmosphere. Jazz music and trombones fill the air – a welcome alternative to the big Christmas market in the city centre. It's held in Frankfurt-Höchst's historic old town, around Schlossplatz and Justinusplatz, though the exact footprint has shifted in past years depending on local works, so it's worth checking the specific location closer to your visit. The market typically runs across the Saturday and Sunday, generally afternoon into evening, with exact times worth confirming ahead of time.
5. Sachsenhäuser Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt Alt-Sachsenhausen)
The Christmas market by the Goetheturm tower in the Sachsenhausen district is rather an intimate fair but still has everything you could wish to find; traditional yeast dumplings, mulled wine or apple juice, steaming hotpots and Christmas souvenirs and carousels. It's a distinct market from the Goetheturm one at the forest's edge, closer to the neighbourhood's own streets and taverns than the woods. From the end of November, you can spend many happy hours here with family and friends.
6. Rosa Christmas Market
The Christmas market on Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz, at the corner of Holzgraben and Katharinenpforte, is like no other, it's entirely pink. It's centrally located but offers a cosier vibe compared to the larger markets. This market is especially popular with the LGBTQ+ community, and its highlight is the vibrant, pink-themed decorations, which replace the usual red and green. Enjoy live music, delectable cheese fondue, and a diverse mix of visitors for a great time in November and December.
The Perfect Frankfurt hotel for your Christmas trip
When planning your trip to Frankfurt, consider staying at the Capri by Fraser Frankfurt hotel. Our hotel is located in the heart of the city, just a short walk from the Old Town and its Christmas markets. We offer a variety of comfortable and modern accommodations, suitable for both long and short stays.
Our rooms are equipped with everything you need for a stylish and relaxing stay, including a comfortable bed, a work desk, and free Wi-Fi.
In addition to our comfortable rooms, our hotel also offers a range of facilities and services to make your stay even more enjoyable. Our fitness centre is the perfect place to burn off any excess Christmas treats, and our business centre is ideal for anyone who needs to catch up on work while they're away. We also have breakfast available at our day dining restaurant, which serves a delicious selection of international dishes. And if you're looking to unwind after a day of exploring the city, our bar Drinx is the perfect place to relax.
Other Things To Do in Frankfurt in Winter
Frankfurt's Old Town is at its most magical in winter, and the Christmas markets are only part of the draw. Cosy restaurants along the Old Town serve hearty soups, roasted meats and spiced hot drinks, some with outdoor seating so you can watch the lights while you eat. Nearby, the half-timbered Saalgasse and the Historisches Museum Frankfurt trace the city's medieval and trading past, while the Gothic Alte Nikolaikirche on Römerberg square, with its carillon of bells, offers a quiet counterpoint to the bustle outside. The markets themselves suit families and couples alike, with handmade crafts, carousel rides and live music keeping the festive spirit going. Capri by Fraser Frankfurt puts you within easy reach of it all, a comfortable base for the city's winter magic.
Staying at Capri by Fraser Frankfurt
Capri by Fraser Frankfurt sits within easy reach of the Old Town and its Christmas markets, making it a practical base whether you're here for a festive city break or a longer winter stay. Choose from studio and one-bedroom serviced apartments, each with a fully equipped kitchenette and a proper work desk, so there's room to spread out after a day at the markets. Guests staying a week or more can also look at the property's long-stay rates, designed for anyone extending a winter visit.
On-site, Caprilicious serves breakfast to start the day, while evenings are for Drinx, the property's cocktail bar, complete with an outdoor terrace and screens for anyone wanting to catch a match. The 24-hour gym helps offset the mulled wine and gingerbread, and the Spin & Play launderette keeps longer stays properly stocked. Business visitors extending a work trip into the festive season have the Pow Wow meeting rooms and the round-the-clock Hot Spot business centre on hand, alongside the property's full range of facilities. Secure underground parking is available for anyone arriving by car. Check current offers to find the right rate for your Frankfurt Christmas trip.
FAQs About Frankfurt's Christmas Markets
Is there an entry fee to visit any of Frankfurt's Christmas markets?
No, every market covered here is free to walk around and browse, including the smaller community-run ones like the Swedish and Finnish markets. You only pay for what you actually eat, drink, or buy, mulled wine, food, souvenirs, and rides on things like the children's carousels. The one small cost to know about is the deposit charged on collectible mugs when you buy a hot drink, refundable if you hand the mug back, or worth keeping as a souvenir if you'd rather.
Is it easy to get between the different markets without a car?
Yes, and it's the better option regardless. The central markets, Römerberg, Paulsplatz, Hauptwache and the Rosa Weihnacht at Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz, are all within easy walking distance of one another. The markets further out, the Goetheturm forest market and the Swedish and Finnish bazaars, are best reached by public transport rather than on foot. Driving is best avoided altogether: much of the Old Town becomes pedestrianised for the markets, so parking is limited and taxis can struggle to get close.
Which Frankfurt market is best for unique gifts and crafts?
If gift shopping is the priority, the Swedish Christmas Market is worth seeking out specifically for this: Hemslöjd handicrafts, jewellery from Lapland, and Swedish glass and crystal make for genuinely different souvenirs than the wooden ornaments and gingerbread found at most other stalls. The Höchst market runs it close, with locally made gifts like homemade sloe gin, seasoning salts, and CDs recorded at Frankfurt's oldest church, the kind of small-batch, one-off items you won't find at the bigger central markets. Both reward a slower browse rather than a quick pass-through.
Are Frankfurt's Christmas markets suitable for young children?
Very much so. Frankfurt's main market runs a dedicated children's craft area where kids can paint and glue their own decorations for a small fee, alongside a storytelling tent aimed at younger visitors. For extra peace of mind in the busier squares, look out for the free Kinder-Finder wristband scheme, a simple band with your phone number on it, so you can be reached quickly if you get separated from your child in the crowds.
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