ADVENT 2026 · ERFURT · THURINGIA
Erfurt Christmas market 2026: dates, places and opening times
The central Christmas market in Erfurt runs from 24 November to 22 December 2026, with Domplatz as its main square. Closing times on Domplatz change with the day of the week, while the smaller squares keep shorter daily hours. A craft courtyard, a monastery Advent tour and an ice rink on Petersberg follow calendars of their own.
When is the Erfurt Christmas market 2026 and what are the opening times?
The Erfurt Christmas market runs from 24 November to 22 December 2026. On Domplatz it opens daily at 10:00. It closes at 20:00 from Sunday to Wednesday, at 21:00 on Thursdays and on the opening day, and at 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. The other city-centre locations at Fischmarkt, Schlösserbrücke, Anger and Willy-Brandt-Platz are listed daily from 10:00 to 20:00. The Thuringian craft Christmas market in the courtyard at Fischmarkt 13/17 opens only on 3–6 and 10–13 December, from noon.
- Main market
- 24 Nov – 22 Dec 2026
- Domplatz latest
- 22:00 on Fri and Sat
- Craft courtyard
- 3–6 and 10–13 Dec
- Winterberg rink
- From 23 Nov 2026
Where are the Christmas markets in Erfurt?
The market is spread over several squares in the old town. You do not need to visit all of them: two focal points are enough for a short visit.
Domplatz
The cathedral square is the heart of the market and the place for an unhurried stroll. The cathedral and St Severus form the backdrop, while the stalls stand on the square itself. Agree on a meeting point at the edge before you split up to browse, and leave time for any gift that needs a proper conversation.
Fischmarkt, Schlösserbrücke, Anger, Willy-Brandt-Platz
The official market information lists these smaller locations as well. They give your walk a structure: a first impression on arrival from the station, a short stop along the way and a longer stay on Domplatz later. Choose the ones that sit naturally on your route rather than collecting every square.
Craft courtyard at Fischmarkt 13/17
The Thuringian craft Christmas market takes place in a courtyard at Fischmarkt 13/17, from Thursday to Sunday on the second and third Advent weekends. It is separate from the general Fischmarkt area. If crafts are the main reason for your trip, plan your date around this courtyard and treat the other squares as additions.
What are the Erfurt Christmas market opening times in 2026?
The hours differ between Domplatz and the smaller squares. If you want to stay out after 20:00, this decides the order of your stops.
10:00 to 20:00, 21:00 or 22:00
Domplatz opens at 10:00 every day. It closes at 20:00 from Sunday to Wednesday, at 21:00 on Thursdays and on the opening day (24 November), and at 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Plan an evening visit for one of the later days if you want time after dinner.
Daily 10:00 to 20:00
Fischmarkt, Schlösserbrücke, Anger and Willy-Brandt-Platz are listed daily from 10:00 to 20:00. The later Friday and Saturday closing applies to Domplatz, not to every location. An afternoon circuit across the old town is easy, but finish the smaller squares before 20:00 and move to Domplatz afterwards.
From noon, closing time not stated
The courtyard market opens from noon on its event days. The announcement reviewed does not give a closing time, and it cannot be taken from the general Fischmarkt hours. Aim for the early or middle afternoon, and check the organiser's latest notice if you can only arrive in the evening.
What else is on in Erfurt during Advent 2026?
Some Advent experiences need a fixed time slot or a ticket. Others that appear in search results are not confirmed for this season.
Advent tour with light installation
The Augustinian monastery's tour “Wenn Weihnachten leuchtet…” combines a guided visit, a light installation and seasonal tastings. Public dates are 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17 and 22 December, always at 16:30, for around 90 minutes. The published price is €22 per person. Foreign-language delivery is not confirmed.
Winterberg ice rink
Winterberg is an outdoor rink with food and drink huts on Petersberg. The season starts on 23 November 2026. One operator page gives 10 January 2027 as the end, another 8 January. It is a separate outing and does not extend the central market, which ends on 22 December.
Thomasmarkt and the Old Synagogue
The historic Christmas market by Thomaskirche has only 2025/26 dates online, so it is not confirmed for Advent 2026. The Old Synagogue is closed for renovation until provisionally 28 February 2027, and the Erfurt Treasure cannot be seen. Do not build your day around either.
Erfurt Advent calendar 2026
The key dates at a glance. Each experience has its own calendar, so match your travel date to what matters most to you.
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23 Nov
Winterberg season opens
The ice rink on Petersberg starts its season a day before the market.
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24 Nov
Christmas market opens
Opening day on Domplatz, 10:00 to 21:00. The smaller squares open 10:00 to 20:00.
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1 Dec
First public monastery Advent tour
16:30 at the Augustinian monastery. Further dates: 3, 8, 10, 15, 17 and 22 December.
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3–6 Dec
Craft courtyard, first block
Thursday to Sunday on the second Advent weekend, from noon, at Fischmarkt 13/17.
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10–13 Dec
Craft courtyard, second block
Thursday to Sunday on the third Advent weekend, from noon. 7, 8 and 9 December are not included.
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22 Dec
Last market day
The central market and the public monastery tours end. The market is not open over Christmas.
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8 or 10 Jan 2027
Winterberg season ends
Sources disagree on the date. The rink lists closures on 24 December, 1 January and Mondays in January.
Before you choose your date
The full Erfurt Advent plan in one PDF
Our 50-page guide brings all dates, hours, prices and access details together, with every fact linked to its source. It adds seven ready-made routes and a planner you can fill in.
- Opening times by day and by square
- Routes for an afternoon, a full day and a weekend
- Winterberg, monastery tour, transport and budget examples
Frequently asked questions
Is the Erfurt Christmas market open at Christmas?
No. The announced end date for 2026 is 22 December, so the market on Domplatz will not be open on 24, 25 or 26 December. If you travel over the holidays, plan a winter city break with attractions that are actually open, such as the Winterberg rink, which itself lists 24 December and 1 January as closed.
How late is the Erfurt Christmas market open?
Domplatz stays open latest on Fridays and Saturdays, until 22:00. On Thursdays and on the opening day it closes at 21:00, and from Sunday to Wednesday at 20:00. The smaller squares at Fischmarkt, Schlösserbrücke, Anger and Willy-Brandt-Platz close at 20:00 every day, including weekends.
Does the craft market run every day from 3 to 13 December?
No. The heading of the announcement gives 3–13 December as the overall span, but the text specifies Thursday to Sunday on the second and third Advent weekends only. That means 3–6 and 10–13 December, from noon each day. The guide does not recommend 7, 8 or 9 December for a craft visit.
Is the Thomasmarkt in Erfurt on in 2026?
This is not confirmed. The organiser page reviewed shows the 2025/26 season, from 24 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, and labels its hours as 2025. That does not confirm a market for Advent 2026, so treat it as optional and check for a new announcement before relying on it.
Can I visit the Erfurt Christmas market without a car?
Yes. Erfurt's main station is a good starting point. From there you can walk towards Anger or take a tram, then continue to Fischmarkt and Domplatz. If you do drive, EVAG lists park-and-ride sites with tram connections to Anger in roughly 9 to 20 minutes.
More for your Advent trip
Research status 27 October 2026; Tabiara is an independent guide, not an official publication, so please check the official sources before travelling.