Top 10 Hamburg Weihnachtsmärkte
Dear lilioftheworld.com reader, here is Lili, your co-editor. Today’s article is all about Christmas spirit and Christmas markets in Hamburg – read further to see which are the Top 10 Hamburg Weihnachtsmarkt.
Since I live abroad, I have started associating Christmas with the Christmas markets or how they are called in this part of Europe – Weihnachtsmarkt (Weihnachtsmärkte in plural). Another variation of the name, which is specifically used in Germany, is Christkindlmarkt or Striezelmarkt.
An year ago I published an article with the best Weihnachtsmarkts in Vienna where I used to live. It is true that the Viennese Weihnachtsmärkte are particularly interesting- with their various craftsmen stands and the beautiful Glühwein cups. Visiting those markets really feels a special thing.
Moving to the North of Germany showed me where the Weihnachtsmarkt tradition is actually coming from. Here is just an extract of what I wrote in the other article about the Weihnachtsmarkt origin: “During the Advent period, farmers, tradesmen and artisans used to meet around the churches. These gatherings became open-air markets- the first versions of the Christmas Markets that we see today. Original celebrations included gathering around the Church with song, food and small gifts. These became such a hit with the locals that people would come and “set up shop” around the churches. They started selling homemade crafts (people immediately recognize any business opportunity).” The German Weihnachtsmärkte (at least those I saw) are different from the Austrian ones.
The main differences between the weihnachtsmärkte in Vienna and Hamburg are:
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The weihnachtsmärkte in Vienna are more commercially-oriented
You will find more stands with different goods sold. Not that there are no such Weihnachtsmärkte in Hamburg, but the main driver here is the gathering of people. Meeting and socializing is encouraged by the bigger areas where people can spend time together.
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Cups are not attractive
In line with the above said, Viennese Weihnachtsmarkt created another tradition. Almost every year they offer a new design of the cups in which the popular Weihnachtsmarkt drink Glühwein is served. Pigs, boots, mushrooms are among the designs which were introduced during the time we lived in Vienna. The cup costs around €3 and especially the tourists keep it as a souvenir from Vienna. Even I have four of them at home 🙂 Of course you are not obliged to take the cup- you can get your deposit back. In fact they are so cute that when seeing them once, you would like to keep them :-).
The cups in Hamburg are nothing special. At most places they are plain transparent-glass cups one drinks coffee in.
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Carousel
Each Hamburg Weihnachtsmarkt, no matter the size, has a carousel. It is like a symbol of the event. This of course makes these set-ups attractive for families with children.
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Wood cover
I explain this with the fact that in the past the winters in Hamburg used to be severe. In order to spend time outside, locals need some protection. Most of the Hamburg Weihnachtsmärkte have small pieces of wood which isolate the cold ground. At some locations there are real fires.
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Heating lamps
This is another means for heating and surviving in the cold winter evenings. Even if the market is not having any heating device, usually there are kind of small huts where you can “hide” from the wind. This is something which some of the Viennese Weihnachtsmärkte could adapt as the wind there is also strong.
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Roofs
Hamburg is famous for its rainy weather. This is also another reason why all Weihnachtsmärkte have kind of roofs. Huts, canopies or other types of sheds are compulsory for the Hamburg Weihnachtsmärkte. This is not the case in Vienna where just a few of the markets offer stands with kind of shelter.
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Opening times
The Weihnachtsmärkte in Vienna start traditionally earlier in the year compared to those in Hamburg. And some of them are open a week after New Year (Silvester) as well. It is better that you check this before you decide to visit them. In 2019 the Hamburg Weihnachtsmärkte are opened from the 25th of Nov until the 30th of Dec.
Now coming back to the Weihnachtsmarkt scene in Hamburg. The city has a smaller number of Weihnachtsmärkte compared to Vienna- 17 vs 26. This might change from year to year though. More info and also a map you can find on the official Hamburg information website. Below I will share my top 10 list with my favorite Weihnachtsmärkte in Hamburg.
Top 10 Hamburg Weihnachtsmärkte:
1. Weihnachtsmarkt auf dem Gänsemarkt
Suitable for: friends, drinks, food, souvenirs
It is also referred to as the “Fairytale Gingerbread Village” in the official Hamburg website. This Hamburg Weihnachtsmarkt is organized around the Lessing monument. The statue is of Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, who was the world’s first dramaturg. At the end of the 16th century there used to be an opera building at this square, which was later replaced by the Hamburg National Theater. Nowadays, the opera house is located in a northern direction at Dammtorstraße.
The Weihnachtsmarkt auf dem Gänsemarkt is my favorite one due to the cute design of the huts. They are brown in color and are covered with gingerbread shapes. Of course geese are all over the huts. The cups here have a special design unique to this market. It is one of the few places with nice cups. There is a tiny shelter against wind and also all the tables have kind of roof as rain protection.
2. Weihnachtsmarkt Gerhart-Hauptmann-Platz
Suitable for: friends, drinks, food, souvenirs
Although this central market is very popular and crowded, this is among my Top 3 Christmas markets in Hamburg.
The square used to be a Pferdemarkt (horse market) in the 13th century. The current look dates back to the 70s when the wavy surface was created. Due to the fact that it hosts many events, the surface was partially flattened.
The Hamburg Weihnachtsmarkt at Gerhard-Hauptmann Platz is also one of the biggest, even exceeding the one at the Rathaus. It is considered to be the best decorated one, offering a unique spirit. When you see its huts you get the feeling of a Christmas village.
I recommend visiting the “Winterwald” section which is a small area surrounded by huts. You have the feeling that you are somewhere in a tiny village in the mountains. Only the buildings around remind you that you haven’t actually left the city.
3. Adventszeit St. Markus
Suitable for: kids, friends, drinks, food
The Adventszeit St. Markus is a tiny Weihnachtsmarkt in the heart of Eppendorf district, right on Eppendorfer Weg. Eppendorf is one of the richest and calmest areas in Hamburg and this is also reflected in the audience of this Weihnachtsmarkt. The main guests are families with children and small groups of friends. The cathedral next to it adds to the holy spirit of the place. This is how I imagine the Weihnachtsmarkt was in the past- a couple of stands with drinks and food and the rest is spots for people to socialize. You will not find any craftsmen stands- it is all about relationships.
4. Historischer Weihnachtsmarkt (the one in front of the Rathaus)
Suitable for: friends, drinks, food, souvenirs
The Hamburg Weihnachtsmarkt in front of Rathaus has maybe the least authentic view of all. It reminds a bit of the one in front of Vienna Rathaus. Crowds with tourists, different goods sold (mostly overpriced); less food and drinks, more souvenirs. It is almost impossible to get a drink in the evenings unless you are prepared to wait in a long queue. The scene is quite spectacular though – the towers of the Rathaus are majestically standing over the Weihnachtsmarkt stands. The decorations are simply beautiful, especially in the dark with all the lamps. I have also heard that there is a Santa sleigh which passes two times a day over the huts. Unfortunately I haven’t seen it so far.
5. Santa Pauli
Suitable for: friends (above 18), drinks, food
This Weihnachtsmarkt is referred to as the “Hamburgs geilster Weihnachtsmarkt”. It is located in the Repahbahn area famous for its party and erotic clubs. The venue hosts many events during the whole year. Besides the drinks and food stands, it also has a stage with different performers each evening.
Hamburg’s info website describes it as: “Hamburg’s hottest Christmas market combines classic Christmas ambience and crackling eroticism. Sometimes only from the age of 18! The winter deck with fireplace lounge and cocktail bar opens earlier.” Of course the lounge is quite small and it is difficult to find spots there. But there are also heating lamps outside which are good alternative. This Weihnachtsmarkt was the first one opened this year, one week earlier than the rest.
6. Weihnachtsmarkt auf der Fleetinsel
Suitable for: friends, drinks, food, music
If you take the luxurious Neuer Wall street starting from Jungfernstieg and you head towards the Elbe, you will eventually get to this Hamburg Weihnachtsmarkt. As written in the website description “The proximity to the harbor and the connection to the Alster provide maritime flair at the Christmas market on Fleetinsel.” This one is not so spectacular, but if you ask many locals, they will tell you that this is their favorite one.
It is located in-between the buildings and is well protected from the wind. There is louder music, which makes it a bit like party location. I do not remember also seeing a carousel there. It is definitely suitable for younger people, who go there to meet friends.
There is no wooden cover on the ground, but there are heating lamps available.
7. Weihnachtsmarkt an der Petrikirche
Suitable for: souvenirs, friends, drinks, food
“So fairytale, So Nordic, So familiar.” St Petri is the oldest church in Hamburg and so is the Christmas market there. The Weihnachtsmarkt next to it is not big, but still cute. There are special places where you can hide from the rain and the wind. One typical thing here are the real fir trees. This combined with the rustic look of the huts gives the market its Nordic flair.
8. Weihnachtsmarkt Apostelkirche
Suitable for: kids, friends, drinks, food
Located a bit aside from the city center, this Hamburg Weihnachtsmarkt is also quite similar to the one at St Markus church. Besides the one at Fleetinsel, this is the other exception where I did not see any carousel. The huts are located in a circle next to the church. You can of course buy drinks and food, but also there are a couple of huts which sell different handcrafts.
There is fire whose smell creates an authentic, cozy atmosphere. Although there is no carousel, a small playground with straw is where you can entertain your kids. I would not recommend this one when it is raining as there isn’t proper cover on bigger part of it.
9. Weihnachtsmarkt Spitalerstrasse
Suitable for: souvenirs, friends, drinks, food
This Weihnachtsmarkt is located at one of the main shopping streets in Hamburg- Spitalerstrasse. The unique thing about it is the architecture of the huts. They remind the classical Hanseatic style and also the goods sold are a bit more refined.
Although there are stands where people can buy some delicacies and drinks, the majority are just passing by. Towards the end of the street (if you start from Hauptbahnhof), there are more huts where you can have a cup of Glühwein.
10. Weißerzauber auf dem Jungfernstieg
Suitable for: souvenirs, friends, drinks, food
The Weihnachtsmarkt is located in the most central part of Hamburg, just by the lake Alster. It has more modern look compared to the majority of other Hamburg Weihnachtsärkte (it is also quite new- this year it celebrates its 14th anniversary). Special lighting and decoration attract the visitors, who can as well admire the Christmas tree in the center of Alster.
The Weihnachtsmarkt offers shelter from rain and also heating lamps here and there. Although it is quite big, the central location makes it a bit crowded. This was the reason why I put it at the end of my list.
Instead of a conclusion, I must admit that I love the coziness and decorations of the Hamburg Christmas markets and I’m grateful that I could enjoy them in a nice company. Next year I will visit the Weihnachtsmarkts in the neighboring villages & towns, so stay tuned!
If you are looking for other recommendations for Hamburg, just visit the respective section dedicated to Hamburg.
Other articles about Hamburg are:
