It’s very Christmassy in Mainz!
Historical Christmas Market in Mainz since 1788
27. November to 23. December
On 27 November 2025, the historic Christmas market on the cathedral squares will open its doors. The individual, smaller ‘Mainz WinterZeit’ markets on Schillerplatz, Bahnhofsplatz, Hopfengarten and in the castle courtyard will also invite you to linger, stroll and enjoy. The Neuwintermarkt will once again take place on Neubrunnenplatz this year. Sparkling lights, Christmas stalls, delicious treats, unique handicrafts, and the smell of roasted almonds in the air: that’s how atmospheric the Christmas season is in Mainz!
Historic Christmas markets on the cathedral squares
Historischer-Weihnachtsmarkt (c)mainzplusCITYMARKETING Against the backdrop of the 1,000-year-old St. Martin’s Cathedral, the market square in front of the mighty cathedral is transformed into a sea of lights during Advent. Every year, the historic Mainz Christmas market shines here as well as at Höfchen and Liebfrauenplatz with festively decorated stalls. The colorful Renaissance facades of the historic market houses are particularly beautiful to look at.
Numerous cathedral concerts and matinees, the traditional fairy tale performance at the Mainz State Theater, and the popular Christmas card printing at the Gutenberg Museum’s printing shop are just some of the special Christmas attractions in Mainz, as are the many other smaller Christmas markets in the city center and surrounding area.
History
The Mainz Christmas market looks back on a long tradition: the “Nikolose Markt” has been around for over 200 years, since 1788 to be precise. It has been held as the “Historical Christmas Market” since 1975 and quickly developed into a crowd puller, which is now being offered in this form for the 50th time this year.
Shopping in the Christmas city
Mainz’s Old Town once again invites you to go Advent shopping. At the beginning of Augustinerstraße, the Hopfengarten invites you to linger. Hot drinks and tasty delicacies will be served here. All younger guests can look forward to the on-site carousel.
For all commuters travelling to and from Mainz by train or bus, the ‘Mainzer WinterZeit’ market in front of the entrance to the main railway station offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy an ‘after-work’ and/or ‘in-between mulled wine’ to bring the working day to a relaxed close or to make the most of a break.
Christmas magic – the GlühWeinWalk
Our tip: Get to know Mainz’s Christmas and winter markets better with the “GlühWeinWalk” ticket. The ticket is now available at the mainz STORE and in the online shop. For €26, you get 7 mulled wines, 1 mulled gin, and 2 snacks at participating stands in the Christmas city. A mainzgefühl mulled wine mug is included free of charge. The ticket is valid on all opening days. Further information is available at:
weihnachtsstadt-mainz.de/gluehweinwalk
For all those looking for little surprises every day, there is the digital Advent calendar ‘Mainz Advent Moments’ on the Christmas City website. From 1 December, a little door opens every day, behind which not only small events at the city’s most beautiful locations await, but also generous discounts in shops and culinary specials in restaurants. This increases the anticipation of Christmas and strengthens the sense of community.
The guided tours on offer are also geared towards the Christmas atmosphere in the city. ‘Advent, Advent…’, “Christmassy Mainz Old Town” or “Mulled Wine Express” – these are all guided tours organised by the Mainz Tourist Guide Association this year and can be booked at
weihnachtsstadt-mainz.de/en/guided-tours/
Opening hours Christmas markets:
Historic Christmas market on the cathedral squares
November 27 to December 23, 2025
Sunday to Thursday 11:00 – 20:30, Friday and Saturday 11_00 – 21:00
The Christmas market ends at 7 p.m. on December 23.
“Mainz WinterZeit” markets
Schillerplatz:
November 27 – December 23, 2025, and December 27 – December 30, 2025
Sunday to Thursday 11:00 – 20:30, Friday & Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 21:00
Station Square:
November 27 – December 23, 2025, and December 27 – December 30, 2025
Daily 11:00 – 22:00
Hop garden:
November 27 – December 23, 2025
Sunday to Thursday 13:00 – 20:30, Friday & Saturday 13:00 – 21:00
Castle courtyard:
November 27 – December 23, 2025, and December 27 – December 30, 2025
Sunday to Thursday 13:00 – 20:30, Friday & Saturday 13:00 p.m. – 21:00
New winter market
Neubrunnenplatz:
November 27 – December 23, 2025, and December 27 – December 30, 2025
Sunday to Thursday 11:00 – 20:30, Friday and Saturday 11:00 – 21:00
Further information on the ‘Mainzer WinterZeit’ markets, GlühWeinWalk ticket, Mainz Advent moments, guided tours and much more at:
All Photos with kind permission ©mainzplus CITYMARKETING GmbH and ©Landeshauptstadt Mainz
Traffic Information
Bus Services
In the interest of the environment please use public transport for travel to the Mainz Christmas Fair. The Christmas Fair can be reached by almost all Mainzer Mobilität routes. The bus stops Höfchen, Rheingoldhalle/Rathaus and Fischtor are located directly in the vicinity of the Fair area.
For further information on the timetable please contact +49 (0) 6131 12 – 7777
or see under:
www.mainzer-mobilitaet.de (German)
Parking facilities
Located nearby at Brand, Rathaus, Kaufhof or Karstadt as well as at Kronberger Hof and the Rhine promenade. The Christmas Fair, just a few yards away, through the festively decorated city centre.
Parking for buses:
A boarding point for buses with a capacity for a short stop of up to twelve buses is provided in the vicinity of the Christmas Fair in the Rheinstraße (Rhine Street) a few meters from the Rheingoldhalle and the Hilton Hotel. Further information for bus drivers is available at the Touristik Centrale Mainz.