Germany

25 November 2026 · Wednesday or Friday before the first Sunday of Advent until 24 December; 2026: Dresden from 25 November, Nuremberg from 27 November; 2027: from 24 and 26 November · Altmarkt Dresden and Hauptmarkt Nuremberg

The two most famous Christmas markets in Germany: the Dresden Striezelmarkt on the Altmarkt has been held since 1434 and claims to be the oldest, with a 14-metre tiered pyramid from the Ore Mountains, prune figures (Pflaumentoffel), stollen and the Stollen Festival on the second Saturday of Advent, when a giant stollen weighing tonnes is paraded through the city. Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt on the Hauptmarkt is opened by the Christkind from the balcony of the Frauenkirche, with 180 red-and-white stalls, gingerbread, grilled sausages and a strict rule against plastic decorations. Mulled wine costs around CHF 4 to 5 (EUR 4 to 5) plus deposit, food CHF 5 to 10 (EUR 5 to 10), noticeably cheaper than in Switzerland. On Advent weekends both markets are so full from 3 pm that visitor flows are managed and coaches bring tens of thousands; on weekday mornings it is quiet. Hotels in Dresden and Nuremberg cost a good one and a half times the usual rate in Advent and are gone early for weekends; Dresden is around seven hours from Zurich by train, Nuremberg four.

For travellers: In Dresden combine the visit with the smaller markets in the Neustadt and the medieval market in the Stallhof, in Nuremberg with the sister cities market on Rathausplatz; both cities are reachable car-free by night train or ICE, which is the best choice in Advent.

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4 February 2027 · Weiberfastnacht to Ash Wednesday; 2027: 4 to 10 February, Rose Monday on 8 February · Cologne

The "fifth season" officially starts on 11 November, but things really kick off on Weiberfastnacht: at 11.11 am the street carnival is opened on Alter Markt, after which hundreds of thousands in fancy dress celebrate in the pubs of the old town, the Südstadt and Ehrenfeld. The highlight is the Rose Monday parade, around eight kilometres long with more than 10,000 participants, elaborate floats and tonnes of sweets (Kamelle) thrown into the crowd, with over a million people lining the route. The mood is warm but fuelled by alcohol and loud, and you will inevitably learn a few Cologne songs. Hotels cost two to three times the normal rate this week and are gone months in advance, and without a costume you will stand out. Museums and many shops are closed on Rose Monday.

For travellers: For the Rose Monday parade, find a spot along the route by 9 am, ideally on Severinstrasse or at Neumarkt; if you want to avoid the crowds, stay away from Cologne altogether this week.

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1 May 2027 · Five dates May to September; 2027 expected: Bonn 1 May, Rüdesheim/Bingen 3 July, Koblenz 14 August, Oberwesel 11 September, St. Goar 18 September · Middle Rhine between Bonn and Rüdesheim

On five evenings in the summer half-year, a convoy of around 50 illuminated boats sails down the Rhine while the castles and banks are lit up in Bengal red and several fireworks displays go up one after another over the river. Each date has its own stretch: Bonn with the big closing fireworks in the Rheinaue park, Rüdesheim and Bingen at the Binger Loch, Koblenz from Spay to the Deutsches Eck, Oberwesel with Schönburg castle and St. Goar with the Loreley and Rheinfels castle. It is most beautiful from a boat; places cost around CHF 60 to 150 (EUR 65 to 160) including dinner and are gone months in advance; from the bank you watch for free, but need to claim a spot early in the afternoon. The towns are packed on these evenings, there is no parking, and the last trains back are crammed. Everything goes ahead in the rain.

For travellers: Combine one of the dates with two or three days in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley; the Rheinsteig stages between St. Goar and Oberwesel are at their best on exactly these weekends, but hotels there are scarce then.

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