01.12.2022 – 12:50

Feel the Christmas Spirit in Leipzig and Its Enchanting Area

Feel the Christmas Spirit in Leipzig and Its Enchanting Area

After two years of cancellations due to the pandemic, the Leipzig Christmas Market finally takes place again and promises its visitors many attractions and a unique Christmas experience. One of the largest Christmas markets in Germany invites you for a stroll until December 23. But it's not only Leipzig that is finally shining again in a contemplative glow; the Leipzig Region also awaits visitors with a wide variety of Advent and Christmas markets. Come and enjoy the Holly Jolly Christmas splendor in Leipzig and its beautiful region!

One of Germany’s Oldest and Most Beautiful Christmas Markets

The tradition of the Leipzig Christmas Market dates all the way back to 1458. With more than 300 twinkling stalls embedded harmoniously in the historic centre, Leipzig Christmas market is not only one of the oldest but also one of the most popular and largest Christmas markets in Germany. Visitors are offered a multitude of festive delights; they can indulge in numerous culinary specialties or explore the city’s traditional medieval market. Traditionally, the main area of the Christmas market is Marktplatz (market square) where visitors can marvel at a Saxon spruce Christmas tree of at least 20 metres height, and enjoy a wide variety of performances at the market square stage. Visitors should also not miss listening to the traditional trombone players playing music from the balcony of the Old Town Hall every evening. And the world-famous St Thomas's Boys Choir performs concerts in St Thomas's Church during Advent.

On Augustusplatz square a 38-metre-high Ferris wheel offers seasonal views from a lofty height. The Finnish village on Augustusplatz has become a classic over the years. The enticing scent of smoked salmon and fruity Glögi – a mulled wine made from berries – draws visitors to the Scandinavian tents and stalls.

Leipzig Christmas market is also valued for the many pleasures it holds for children. Be it the Fairy Tale Forest in front of Leipzig Opera House with its many scenes from various fairy tales or the market square stage where kids can meet Santa Clause for a chat, little visitors will definitely enjoy being here.

As for grown-ups, there is a wide variety of traditional handcrafts and local food on sale. The historical Christmas market of “Ancient Leipzig“ at the Naschmarkt square entices visitors with local traditional crafts and art, such as candle makers or artisan blacksmiths, as well as medieval specialties like mead, hot punch or the popular Handbrot, a whole wheat bread with a gooey cheese and – if desired – bacon inside which is then baked in a wood-fired oven and then slathered with crème fraîche and sprinkled with chives.

Dainties such as oven-fresh candied almonds, Pulsnitz gingerbread or the very popular red wine punch invite visitors to stay just a little bit longer. Other main attractions at the Leipzig Christmas market include handcrafted Christmas decorations from the nearby Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) or a large selection of toys, creative gift ideas, pottery and glass decorations. After all, Saxony is the home of Christmas.

This year, too, the traders will be paying special attention to sustainability. The range of vegetarian and vegan alternatives has also been increased. As always, a deposit of 4 euros is charged for the popular reusable cups of the Leipzig Christmas Market in order to avoid waste. In addition, the cup with changing motifs is a popular souvenir.

The Leipzig Christmas Market is open Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 9pm and Friday to Saturday from 10am to 10pm. On 22 December 2022 the Christmas market closes at 8pm and on 23 December 2022 the stalls on the market are still open until 8pm.

Alternative Christmas Markets off the Beaten Track

The popular Christmas market at WERK 2 in the alternative neighbourhood of Connewitz features crafts, creative gift ideas and special snacks – without the typical hustle and bustle but in a relaxed atmosphere within the halls and the courtyard of the cultural factory in the south of the city center. The range of merchants covers traditional crafts, ceramics, self-designed commodity items, fashion, accessories, candles, soap bars and jewellery as well as graphic arts and calendars.

Another wonderful Christmassy spot is the Felsenkeller Christmas Market in the western part of Leipzig. On the grounds of the renowned event venue, it creates a place of thoughtfulness where art and crafts, fantasy and steampunk articles are available for purchase. Numerous stalls invite you to browse and feast, offering mulled wine, delicious Christmas snacks and more.

Christmas in the Leipzig Region

In the towns and villages around Leipzig, you can rediscover the charm and nostalgia of an “old time Christmas” and enjoy the wintry landscape. A visit to the castles and palaces in the Leipzig region is particularly worthwhile during the pre-Christmas period. There are atmospheric concerts, guided tours and Advent markets. For example, Rochlitz Castle invites you to the traditional Castle Christmas on the 3rd weekend in Advent, where you can buy homemade delicacies, handicrafts and high-quality toys, among other things. In addition, visitors young and old can explore the castle on Advent tours on 3 and 17 December 2022. From 2 to 18 December 2022, Torgau's historic market square becomes a fairytale Christmas market. Enjoy a stroll through the picturesque old town and marvel at the impressive sight of Hartenfels Castle, which is worth a visit at every season.

Lovers of traditional German Christmas cuisine should visit the Goose Market in Wermsdorf. In the farm kitchen of the Eskildsen goose farm, guests can expect freshly prepared roast goose with red cabbage and dumplings, pâtés, sausage specialities and spicy mulled wine. Daily from 10am to 7pm until 22 December 2022, Christmas geese, carp and Nordic Christmas decorations are offered at the market stalls.

Further Information

Are you interested in a media trip to get an authentic impression of the Leipzig Region and its diverse facets? Please feel free to contact us and let us know about your topics. Further information is available at www.leipzig.travel/press

Dana Marschner
International PR Manager
 
Phone +49 341 7104-333 • Fax +49 341 7104-344
 international-pr@ltm-leipzig.de •  www.leipzig.travel/en

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