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The tradition of pre-Christmas shopping in German cities has been formed over several centuries. The oldest officially documented Christmas market in Germany is considered to be the Dresden Striezelmarkt, which was first held in 1434. This is confirmed by the official tourist portal Germany Travel . Winter shopping markets have existed in various cities before, but not all of them were Christmas markets in the modern sense.
Over time, seasonal markets became an important part of the city's culture. Craftsmen sold toys, candles, carved jewelry, ceramics, and household items, while bakers and merchants offered holiday pastries, nuts, and spices. Today, large fairs combine traditional crafts, gastronomy, concert programs, children's attractions, and modern light installations.
Regional differences remain one of the main reasons to travel to several cities. In Saxony, wooden Christmas pyramids, figures of miners and angels from the Ore Mountains are common, in Bavaria, nativity scenes and Alpine traditions play an important role, and large cities like Berlin offer both classic and modern themed areas. Popular treats include Lebkuchen, Stollen, Bratwurst, roasted almonds, hot apple drink and Glühwein, but the specific menu varies depending on the region.
One of the country's most famous fairs is Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt. In 2026, it will run from November 27 to December 24 and will feature around 180 traditional wooden stalls, not 400 as sometimes stated in tourist materials. Official dates and opening hours are published by the Nuremberg tourist portal .
Hamburg's main historic Christmas market is located on the Rathausmarkt in front of the city hall. In 2026, it will run from November 23 to December 23. According to the official Hamburg portal , the fair is organized by Roncalli, and one of its famous events is the appearance of Santa Claus in a sleigh over the square.
The Rathausmarkt sells handicrafts, Christmas decorations, sweets, hot drinks and seasonal dishes. In the evening, the historic facade of the town hall, the illuminated stalls and the central shopping streets create a classic Christmas atmosphere. At the same time, Hamburg is not limited to one venue: the city has several dozen Christmas and winter markets with different themes.
After the Rathausmarkt, it's worth walking to the Binnenalster lake, the streets around Jungfernstieg and the canals of the historic center. Another option is to combine the fairs with a walk through HafenCity and the Elbe embankment. In winter, the weather in Hamburg is often wet and windy, so a waterproof jacket and shoes will be more practical than clothes designed only for dry frost.
For bus travel, you can check LikeBus flights on the Lviv - Hamburg and Odessa - Hamburg routes . For a return flight, you need to check the availability of the Hamburg - Odessa flight for a specific date. The schedule, boarding point, route duration and baggage conditions may change, so they must be specified when booking.
Hamburg becomes much quieter on December 24th, and most regular shops are closed on December 25th and 26th. Some museums, restaurants and tourist attractions may be open on special hours, but this should be checked individually. If you are traveling right on Christmas Day, it is better to buy food and necessary things in advance.
The main Munich Christkindlmarkt is located around Marienplatz in the heart of the old town. In 2026, the fair will start earlier than usual for the first time – on November 20 – and will run until December 24. The official city portal muenchen.de publishes the current schedule, opening hours and event program.
A festively decorated Christmas tree is set up on Marienplatz, and choirs, brass bands and traditional musicians perform on the balcony of the New Town Hall. The stalls sell Christmas decorations, candles, woodwork, ceramics and seasonal treats. Nearby is the Kripperlmarkt, associated with the Bavarian tradition of Christmas nativity scenes, where you can find figurines and decorative elements for compositions.
The walk is worth continuing from Marienplatz to the Frauenkirche, Odeonsplatz, Munich Residence and the National Theater. There are also other fairs in the city, including medieval, cultural and regional fairs. This means you can spend one day in the classic center and the next in less touristy locations.
Bavarian gastronomy is an important part of the trip. In addition to Christmas pastries and hot drinks, you can taste regional dishes in Munich, but it is worth remembering that not all popular German products originate from Bavaria. Regional differences and traditional dishes are discussed in more detail in the material on traditional German cuisine .
For the trip, you can check LikeBus flights Odessa - Munich and Lviv - Munich . During the Christmas season, the demand for transport and accommodation increases, so booking at the last minute can significantly limit the choice. Before paying, you need to check the place of arrival, because the international bus does not necessarily stop near the main railway station.
Cologne's most famous Christmas market is located on Roncalliplatz near Cologne Cathedral. In 2026, the Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom will be open from November 16 to December 23. The market will be closed on November 22, Totensonntag. The exact opening hours and program of events are published on the official website of the fair near Cologne Cathedral .
The cathedral's Gothic architecture, festive stage, illuminations and wooden stalls create one of Germany's most famous Christmas panoramas. The market features musical performances and children's programs, and sells crafts, decorations and food. Due to its central location, it is especially crowded on Friday evenings and during weekends.
Cologne has several other great Christmas locations, so you shouldn't limit your route to the square near the cathedral. You can visit the markets in the Old Town, near the city harbor and on other central squares, and in between, walk along the Rhine embankment. For an evening walk, the route across the Hohenzollern Bridge is suitable, from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the cathedral and the historic center.
For a bus trip, you can check the Lviv - Cologne route . The link, which in the previous version was signed as "Kharkiv - Cologne", led only to the general departure page from Kharkiv, so it should not be used as confirmation of a direct route. The availability of flights from other cities should be checked through the LikeBus search for specific dates.
Berlin doesn't have one fair that represents the entire city. There are dozens of locations here - from classic venues near palaces and historic squares to district, designer, Scandinavian and gastronomic formats. It is this diversity that makes Berlin convenient for a long Christmas trip: you can choose a different district every day and combine fairs with museums, exhibitions and major attractions.
In 2026, the official season for most Berlin Christmas markets begins on November 23, although some winter venues will open earlier. WeihnachtsZauber on Gendarmenmarkt will be open from November 23 to December 31, and the market in the old town of Spandau will be open from November 23 to December 22. Dates for other locations vary, so be sure to check the current calendar on the official tourist portal visitBerlin before visiting .
For a classic atmosphere, Gendarmenmarkt, Charlottenburg Palace and the old town of Spandau are suitable. Those looking for modern formats should check out the winter spaces in Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg and near Potsdamer Platz. Some fairs have paid admission or separate tickets for entertainment areas, so it is better to clarify the format and cost in advance.
Christmas locations can easily be combined with the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Museum Island, Alexanderplatz and other attractions. Ready-made options for city walks are collected in the material on what to see in Berlin .
For a trip from western Ukraine, you can check the Lviv – Berlin flight . If you are planning to depart from another city, the LikeBus search will show available direct options or routes with a transfer. Due to the size of Berlin, you should also check in advance where exactly the bus stops and how long it will take to get to the hotel.
The Dortmunder Weihnachtsstadt will be open from November 19 to December 30 in 2026. More than 250 stalls will be set up in ten squares in the city center. The official Dortmunder Weihnachtsstadt website publishes opening hours, a map, a program and information about the holiday breaks.
The main symbol of Dortmund remains the structure on Hansaplatz, which the organizers call the largest Christmas tree in the world. It is about 45 meters high and consists of about 1,200 individual fir trees. Therefore, calling it one continuous natural Christmas tree is incorrect. The structure is decorated with thousands of light elements, and in the evening light shows are held near it.
The fairgrounds stretch across the central squares and shopping streets. They sell Christmas decorations, crafts, toys, seasonal food and hot drinks. For children, there is a separate Christmas village with creative activities and a program, but you need to check the calendar for specific events and times.
Dortmund can be a convenient option for those who have already visited the classic tourist cities and want to experience the festive atmosphere of the Ruhr region. From here, you can plan short trips to other cities in North Rhine-Westphalia, but you should check the regional transport schedule on public holidays before booking.
For a direct bus journey, you can view the flights Kyiv - Dortmund and Odessa - Dortmund . For a return trip, you can check the direction Dortmund - Odessa . The current schedule and seat availability are determined by the selected date.
For convenient planning, it is worth focusing on the confirmed dates of the main locations. Within the same city, other fairs may have a separate schedule, days without a music program, or holiday breaks.
Even confirmed dates may be adjusted by the organizers due to safety, weather or organizational reasons. Before traveling, you should revisit the official website of the specific fair and check opening hours, closing days, entry rules and the program of events.
December 24 is not a national holiday, but most shops close early, and some museums, restaurants, and tourist attractions are closed. Public transportation may operate on a reduced schedule. Cities are quieter in the evenings as many residents spend Christmas Eve at home with their families.
December 25 and 26 are official public holidays throughout Germany. Most shops, banks and regular businesses are closed. Some shops at major train stations, airports and gas stations may be open, but you shouldn't rely on them for any major shopping.
Restaurants, hotels, museums, and tourist attractions set their own holiday schedules. Some restaurants are open only for lunch or dinner and offer special menus. If you are planning a trip during these dates, make reservations, buy groceries, and check transportation in advance.
Winter travel requires practical preparation. The weather in Germany in December can be wet, windy and changeable, and snow is not guaranteed even during the Christmas period. In large cities, the main inconveniences are often rain, sleet, slippery pavement and prolonged exposure to the elements.
Before traveling, you should consider the following recommendations:
For a long bus journey, pack your documents, water, snacks, regular medication, a charger, a power bank, and a warm accessory in your hand luggage. For detailed recommendations, see the article on how to prepare for international bus travel .
Before entering, you should also check the current requirements for documents and residence. The main rules for Ukrainians are collected in the material on entering Germany . Official requirements of state authorities take priority over information in tourist articles.
Christmas in Germany is not one universal scenario, but a combination of regional traditions, urban culture and family celebrations. Hamburg offers fairs near the town hall, canals and the port, Munich - Bavarian traditions and nativity scenes, Cologne - festive locations against the backdrop of the cathedral, Berlin - dozens of different formats, and Dortmund - a large fairground in the heart of the Ruhr region.
To visit the main fairs, it is best to plan a trip from late November to December 23. If your trip falls on December 24-26, you need to check the schedule of transport, museums, restaurants and shops in advance, as most fairs will have already closed, and December 25 and 26 are official holidays.
Book your bus tickets and accommodation in advance, check the official dates of each location, and leave plenty of time for the winter road. This preparation will help you see the Christmas towns without any rush and plan your route according to the real schedule of the fairs.
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