Christmas markets have long had a strong attraction for us, so it was clear that we would also like to visit the larger Christmas markets in the surrounding cities.

We were very disappointed with what the Christmas market in Jena had to offer, but then we were delighted with the extremely attractive Christmas market in Erfurt, which is so special just because of the brightness of the lights in the streets of the old town. At least that was our impression in the week after Christmas. The Christmas market in Weimar is also something special, we were told, especially since the duration until January 5th allows certain conclusions to be drawn. A completely different concept from the local organizers. So at the beginning of the year we went to Weimar again.

Weimar market square and pedestrian zone brightly lit up

The Weimar market square is probably the main attraction of the Weimar Christmas market. Here, a huge fir tree shines in the glow of hundreds of lamps and is reminiscent of a tradition from 1815. This year, a Weimar bookseller even put up a Christmas tree in the market for the first time, and the owners of the ice cream parlour in the pedestrian zone had also decorated their building lavishly. All children could enjoy this public space. The Weimar town hall also shines with Christmas spirit and has been transformed into a huge Christmas calendar. Every day a door is opened and Santa Claus hands out presents to the many little guests. The fairytale hut will be used for a daily children's program from December 1st.

At the market, you will find, among other things, the Weimar mulled wine hut (red cup on the roof) from the Weimarer Haus with delicious mulled wine and drinks on offer.

The Weimar Haus is a spiritual appetizer: light, tasty and a desire for more can be found in the city of poets and thinkers in the WEIMAR HAUS with an exciting journey through time through the history of the city. What awaits you here is difficult to explain in words - because here you experience history up close with all your senses!

The Weimar mulled wine hut of the Weimarer Haus, directly opposite the Hotel Elefant, offers various types of mulled wine (winemaker's mulled wine for connoisseurs), non-alcoholic hot drinks for children, mulled gin, mulled beer, eggnog or hot chocolate for connoisseurs and trendy hot drinks for cold days.

Here you can end a long day comfortably with family, friends or colleagues.

The attraction on Herderplatz - the self-powered children's carousel

This year, Herderplatz once again hosted the historic Christmas market with the special attraction of the historic children's carousel, which has no electric drive but is powered by human power.

The operator had offered us a free ride several times, despite the large crowds of children.

Weimar Christmas at Goethe's

The festively decorated Frauenplan, which stretches out in front of Goethe's house, is being included in the Christmas festivities in Weimar for the first time. On this historic square, artisans and potters present their unique wares. In addition to high-quality mulled wine stands, visitors can also enjoy regional specialties that ensure physical well-being.

The charming place and the wide range of offers invite you to relax for a longer period of time and experience the festive atmosphere.

Theater Square

The tour of the Weimar Christmas market begins in the shadow of the Goethe and Schiller monument. In addition to mulled wine huts and numerous culinary offers and stalls, there is also an ice rink again this year. "Weimar on Ice" was again on Weimar's Theater Square in 2025. As part of the Weimar Christmas market and against the backdrop of the German National Theater, an ice rink will also be presented this year, which frames the Goethe and Schiller monument with the ice surface and thus gives it additional shine. The ice rink was open daily and was accompanied by numerous events.

Since 2016, shops and interesting places in the city centre have come together under the motto "24 doors" to create a special kind of Advent calendar. This year, too, the campaign is focusing on a digital Advent journey. Every day there is a virtual store tour with a video message and short background reports on the shops.

This gives you a good insight into the special ranges of our Weimar inner-city retailers and also the best gift ideas for your loved ones.

As every year, there are also newly founded shops under the doors, such as the unpackaged drugstore "Rundumfrei", the second-hand shop "Alte Liebe", the e-cargo bike rental "Bikeybile" and two new gastronomic offers: the "Maple Bistro Weimar" and "Amuse - Feine Schnittchen". 

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