Market Dates: November 18 – December 22
Located along the picturesque Neckar river in Baden-Württemberg, sits Germany’s famous University town, Heidelberg. While this town is stunning any time of the year, Christmas season is when it truly comes to life. Jolly guests begin to pack the city center around mid November as the town’s world famous Christmas Market begins! Having visited three years in a row, I can vouch that this market lives up to its ranking as one of the best Christmas markets in Germany. Never visited a German market before? Don’t worry, this guide will ensure you have the best experience at Heidelberg’s Weihnachtsmarkt!
Market Locations & Rules
This year, Heidelberg has spread their market out to several locations throughout the town. Each designated market area has an entry point where guests must present their COVID-19 vaccination proof for entry.
Upon visiting your first market area, you will receive a wristband from security that notes your vaccination status has been verified. Additionally, you will be asked to sign in at each market area with the Luca app. If you are visiting from outside the EU, I recommend heading to a local apothecary in Germany to have your vaccination card transcribed. This will provide you an EU digital pass and barcode. You can then upload the barcode you receive to the CovPass app to show at all markets.
Are masks required? Yes. Masks are required in all market areas when not eating or drinking.
It is important to note that Heidelberg’s market has upgraded to 2G Plus regulations. This means that the markets are only open to those who are fully vaccinated or have proof of recovery from their doctor and can provide a daily negative rapid or PCR test (with certificate). If you are visiting with children under the age of 17 (that are not vaccinated), I recommend reading this page on Heidelberg’s website to stay up to date on their entry regulations.
Note: To be considered fully vaccinated under 2G regulations, guests must have received both vaccination doses and 14+ days have passed since their last dose.
Karlsplatz
If you have children or enjoy ice skating, Karlsplatz will probably be one of your favorite market areas. Located just underneath the beautiful Heidelberg Castle, it is definitely a picture perfect location to start your journey.
At night, the skating rink becomes lively with music and colorful lights. Aside from ice skating, this area also has quite a few food and drink stands for guests to enjoy.
Click here for directions to Karlsplatz.
Kornmarkt
After visiting the Karlsplatz location, you can continue down Hauptstrasse towards the next market location, Kornmarkt. This area has a homey feel to it as you are surrounded by live fir trees.
Kornmarkt is a great area to shop for gifts and grab your first mulled wine of the evening. If you have children, they will not be disappointed either. As parents sip and snack, kids can take a quaint ride on the market’s train.
Click here for directions of Kornmarkt.
Tip: This area will be open until January 1st, 2022.
Marktplatz
Next, you will continue along Hauptstrasse towards the Church of the Holy Spirit. Here, you will find one of the largest market areas in Heidelberg, the Marktplatz! This area is a crowd favorite and the entry lines definitely reflect this.
Inside this area, a large wooden barrel draws the largest crowd. With a capacity of 120,000 liters, it is a sight to behold! Not to mention, guests can walk to the top of the barrel and gaze upon the market from a new perspective.
Click here for directions to Marktplatz.
Pink Monday at the Marktplatz
If you are a part of the LGBTQ+ community, Heidelberg welcomes you. On November 29th, the city celebrates what they call “Pink Monday.” On this day, the LGBTQ+ community is celebrated. At 1800 on the Marktplatz, Heidelberg will light up with the color pink to show support for the “see and be seen” movement.
At this event, guests can purchase a pink mulled wine that is only available on Pink Monday. Additionally, there will be a specialty cup made only for this celebration.
If you would like to learn more about Heidelberg’s LGBTQ+ history, join “QueerTour Heidelberg” at 1500 on November 29th where all proceeds are donated to “Queeramnesty.”
Click here for more information.
Note: We will be attending the 2021 Pink Monday celebration. Feel free to say ‘hello’ if you see us!
Universitätsplatz
Continuing towards the Käthe Wohlfahrt store, you will find yourself at Universitätsplatz. Here, you will find your senses overwhelmed by the delicious smell of candied nuts, the tantalizing taste of mulled wine and the cheerful Christmas atmosphere. Personally, this is my favorite market area (especially for snacks).
Regardless if you have kids or not, take a ride on the antique carousel! It’s a Christmas market ‘must do’ in my opinion.
Click here for directions to Universitätsplatz.
Bismarckplatz & Anatomiegarten
While these market areas are smaller, they are a great starting point if you are walking from the train station. I recommend grabbing an easy, portable snack (like candied almonds) to chow on during your walk to the various market areas.
Click here for directions to Bismarckplatz.
Click here for directions to Anatomiegarten.
German Delights
Food is probably our biggest motivator for visiting Christmas markets. Let me tell you, Heidelberg did not disappoint. If you want to try German bratwurst, I recommend tasting the local variety called ‘Heidelberger’ (We found this at Universitätsplatz).
Surprisingly, I’m not a huge Glühwein lover. Instead, my favorite market drink is Eierpunsch! It is a warm drink made of eggs, rum, white wine and spices. We asked for ours to be topped with the works (cookie and all). Not sure if you’ll enjoy the taste? I find it most comparable to spiked eggnog.
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When to visit?
To really get that Christmas market feeling, I personally recommend visiting at night. Once the sun goes down, everything comes to life. Twinkling lights and crowds of giggling guests will fill the streets during the evening. The atmospheric lighting combined with the scent of candied almonds, mulled wine and fir trees is something you can’t recreate during the day.
If you are looking for a less crowded and more relaxed atmosphere, however, I would visit during the day. Daytime visits are better for taking pictures, avoiding crowds and tend to be more dog friendly. Similarly, weekend visits tend to be pretty busy compared to weekdays.
Tip: It begins to get dark in Germany around 1600-1700 in the Winter.
Dog Friendly
Have a pet you want to travel with? No worries! Heidelberg’s market areas are dog friendly. Given our experience at Christmas markets, however, I would only recommend bringing your dog during the day. If you plan to visit the markets at night (which can start at 1600 in Winter), also be aware that there can be broken glass on the floor, large crowds and rowdy drinkers. I recommend carrying your dog at night or investing in dog boots with hard bottoms (These are the ones Jasper wears).
Tip: Don’t forget a waterproof jacket for your dog (This is our favorite Jasper uses for Snow/Rain)!
Zoo Lights
A little known secret is that the Heidelberg Zoo has a festive light event during the month of November! Guests enjoy an evening in the zoo (after hours) to marvel at the glowing figures.
If you have little ones, the zoo even holds campfire stories seven times per evening (every 20 minutes from 1800 – 2000). Additionally, guests can go on a free ‘shining lights’ tour with a zookeeper at either 1845 or 1945. This is a fun way to view the zoo’s nocturnal animals at night.
Tip: On Friday evenings, children (under the age of 18) that bring a lantern with them are granted free entry to the event.
Six porcupines grooming eachother at night.
As the facility is dog friendly (in most areas), this was the perfect stop for us. Purchase tickets here.
Note: The Heidelberg Zoo lights end on November 28, 2021.
Transportation
The best part about Heidelbarg’s market is that it is easily accessible by foot, regardless of your transportation method. If you are arriving by train or bus, you will want to start your market journey at Bismarckplatz (about a 20 minute walk from the train station). The station name you should look for when booking your tickets is Heidelberg hbf.
If you are arriving by car, you have more options on where you want to start your market explorations. We prefer to start at the end of the market and work our way towards Bismarckplatz from Karlsplatz. Below you will find our favorite parking garages & their locations along the market.
Parking near Universitätsplatz.
Looking for Christmas markets around Germany? Check out these Blogs:
Your Ultimate Guide to the Frankfurt Christmas Market – Weihnachtsmarkt Frankfurt
Your Ultimate Guide to the Aachen Christmas Market – Aachener Weihnachtsmarkt
The Ultimate Guide to Wiesbaden’s Twinkling Star Christmas Market – Sternschnuppenmarkt
Everything You Need To Know For The Perfect Edelweiss Lodge Vacation in Garmisch, Germany
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