Advent in den Höfen opens private courtyards between Quedlinburg's timber-framed houses on the first three Advent weekends of 2026: 28–29 November, 5–6 December and 12–13 December, from 11:00 to 19:00. Some courtyards keep different times or take part only on certain weekends. A small selection of two or three courtyards usually makes a more relaxed afternoon than a long list. See how the courtyards fit with the markets on our Quedlinburg Christmas market 2026 page.
What the courtyard weekends are
On these weekends, gateways that are normally closed open onto courtyards with craft, food and other offerings. The visit starts before you step inside: notice how the gateway sits in the façade, how the entrance narrows and how the space opens beyond it. The market visit becomes a short architectural walk at the same time.
These openings are temporary events and remain subject to rules and capacity. Not every visible doorway belongs to the event. Use the marked visitor areas and respect closed entrances.
Check three levels before you go
The overall event dates are not enough if you want one particular courtyard. The guide suggests checking three things:
The event: does Advent in den Höfen run on your date?
The courtyard: is the courtyard you chose taking part that weekend? Schützenhof, number 6 on the official plan, is announced only for the second and third weekends.
The activity: does a demonstration or workshop have its own time or booking conditions?
Only build a tightly scheduled day around a courtyard once all three fit together. Check the official leaflet again shortly before departure.
How to choose your courtyards
Start with the current courtyard plan and mark three places that match your interests: one for craft, one with food you would enjoy and one chosen for its architecture already make a varied afternoon. The numbers on the official plan are navigation aids, not a ranking or an instruction to visit in numerical order.
The leaflet describes the focus of several courtyards. A few examples from the 2026 plan:
Wordspeicher, number 9: glass art and a chance to decorate a Christmas bauble, among other things. The leaflet does not say if you can join without booking or what it costs, so ask in advance if this is your main reason to come.
Wordhof, number 10: seeds and gardening themes, a good start for a garden gift.
Quartier 7, number 23: listed as an art and craft destination.
Entrances, crowds and a backup
Two courtyards that look close on the map may be reached from different streets. Use the specified entrances and the signs on site, and order your selection by actual entrances to avoid backtracking. If a place is crowded, moving on and returning later can help, although no courtyard can be promised to be quiet at a particular hour.
Next to each essential courtyard, note one alternative destination and a possible indoor break. If a courtyard or activity is unavailable, the afternoon can then adapt without reorganising everything in a crowd.
A courtyard Saturday in practice
The guide's courtyard route for 28 November, 5 December or 12 December starts at 10:00 with the Fachwerkmuseum at Wordgasse 3, if timber framing interests you. A first courtyard session follows at 11:15, then a planned seated lunch at 13:00 and a second courtyard session at 14:30. From 17:00 you finish at Marktplatz after dark. If you want one more courtyard in the evening, remember the 19:00 closing time.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Quedlinburg courtyards open on weekdays?
No. The courtyard event runs only on the first three Advent weekends. On weekdays you can visit Marktplatz, Mathildenbrunnen and the publicly accessible streets.
Can I see every courtyard in one day?
The guide recommends a personal selection instead. Visit times, crowds and breaks make it unrealistic to promise that you will complete every courtyard.
Does the guide include a courtyard map?
The official map is linked in the sources. The guide groups the visiting areas but does not replace a map to scale for navigation.
Research status 26 October 2026: times, dates and prices in this article are planning information from our research, so please check the official sources before you travel.
