Stuttgart Christmas Market 2024
Christmas in the heart of Stuttgart 27. November – 23. December
This year, from November 27 to December 23th, 2024 inclusive, the city will be transformed into a lovingly decorated stall town.
The Christmas city of Stuttgart invites you to not only one of Germany’s most beautiful Christmas markets – but also one of the oldest. It was officially mentioned for the first time in 1692 but its roots however stretch back further in time. An official market privilege is known to date back to 1507. In it, Duke Ulrich of Württemberg cedes the town of Stuttgart the right to collect stall fees at the annual fairs. In all probability, the market privilege was the written confirmation of an already existing entitlement. In it a horse market on St. Ottmar’s Day (16 November) is mentioned. The annual market grew and at the same time crept ever closer to Christmas. It eventually formed the basis for the “Christkindleinmarkt” (Christ child market) that stretched from the Tuesday to Saturday before Christmas.
Advent magic with a long tradition
Photo: Thomas Niedermueller Just in time for Advent, the city centre of Stuttgart is transformed into one of the most beautiful and oldest Christmas markets in Europe. Embedded in the picturesque backdrop of the New and Old Palace, the King’s Building and the Collegiate Church, the Christmas Market attracts around 3.5 million visitors every year from Germany and abroad to the state capital of Baden-Württemberg.
Magnificently decorated stalls, contemplative concerts, a children’s fairytale country and traditional delicacies – those who visit the Stuttgart Christmas Market experience a very special magic. The glittering Christmas market town has over 300 years of history and leaves nothing to be desired with around 300 traders who set up their stalls with great attention to detail.
Not only the roofs of the stalls offer visitors a special feast for the eyes, but also the squares and alleys in Stuttgart’s city centre shine festively with an abundance of Christmas decorations and fairy lights. Tradition is the main theme at Stuttgart’s Christmas market. As usual, the market stalls in the city have a wide range of products to choose from: Christmas gifts, unusual candles, handmade goods, sweet treats, traditional delicacies, Christmas tree balls, straw stars, crib figures, mulled wine, punch and lots more.
More info: stuttgarter-weihnachtsmarkt
Contemplative concerts and a mini-railway
Photo: Thomas Niedermueller Music groups and choirs from Stuttgart and the region round off the special flair of the Christmas market musically. The concerts take place in the inner courtyard of the Old castle as well as in the collegiate church. For the little visitors there is a fantastic mini-railway and the nostalgic merry-go-round to take them on a journey through the winter landscape. Great hands-on activities don’t leave the little ones bored and makes a visit to the Stuttgart Christmas market a real pleasure and unique experience.
The festive and atmospheric flair of the Christmas season can be enjoyed by the Christmas market visitors on a discovery tour with the Experience Hop-on/Hop-off double-decker buses – two different tours the city of Stuttgart are available showing the city from its very special side. (www.stuttgart-tourist.de)
Concerts in the Stiftskirche
“Organ Music for the Christmas Market”
from Monday, 2 December to Sunday, 22 December,
daily from 1.15 pm to 1.45 pm.
The best place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Christmas is the Stiftskirche. There, the Stiftsmusik organists and guests from Stuttgart and the region will play a half-hour concert every day on the magnificent Mühleisen organ.
Christmas market opening hours:
Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 – 21:00 hrs.
Friday and Saturday: 11:00 – 22:00 hrs.
Opening: 27 November 2024, 6 pm in the inner courtyard of the Old Palace (sale from 5 pm)
Getting here
The Stuttgart Christmas Market is easy to reach thanks to its central location in the city centre and proximity to Stuttgart’s main railway station. There are also plenty of parking spaces available within walking distance in the city centre. However, due to the general traffic situation, use of public transport is recommended.