Christmas market Heidelberg

The Heidelberg christmas market takes place all over the entire "Altstadt" (historic city center). Bismarckplatz, Anatomiegarten, Universitätsplatz, but also at the Karlsplatz, Kornmarkt as well as the castle.

During the Advent season the entire Heidelberg "Altstadt" - from the Bismarckplatz in the west up to the Karlsplatz directly above the Heidelberg Castle - is attracting the visitors with christmassy lights and numerous booths which don't just give you culinary enjoyment, but offer plenty of ideas for christmas or for any other occation as well.

The Bismarckplatz is the "Altstadt Gate". The visitor joins in optimally due to the booths, the smells and the christmassy flair itself.

During the entire year, a statue of Robert Wilhelm Bunsen is standing around at the Anatomy garden - which is a part of the Heidelberg University. He used to be a Professor at the Heidelberg University for a long time. But in the Advent season this post punctiliously blossoms out due to the booths and huts and lights and smells.

The Universitätsplatz (University square) is the largest part of the christmas market for sure. This is related to the available room here. This means that the largest number of visitors can be found here as well. The booths are attractive anywhere, but here you'll get the largest variety of offers. Art craft, candles, spices, toys and of course bratwurst, hot spiced wine, Crêpes and other candy - not only here you'll find everything the heart desires.

The market place round of the Heiliggeistkirche (Church of the Holy Ghost) - here you are in the center of the "Altstadt"; and here the entire square glares in feastful brightness.

If you want to be sportive, you can do this at the Karlsplatz - directly above the Castle. Here you'll find one of Germany's most beautiful ice rinks: "Christmas on Ice". Especially in the evening it's an absolute highlight to skate here - looking at the beautifully illuminated castle. Have a break in the comfy refectory directly beneath the ice rink.

A special highlight is the "Schlossweihnacht" (Castle Christmas) in December. Usually this events takes one or two weeks. Artists from the Heidelberg area offer their handmade products (wood, glass, ceramics or wools) in beautifully decorated tents. Additionally there are numerous culinary booths in front of the gorgeous scenery of the Heidelberg Castle. The atmosphere is unique, especially during the evening. The entrance is free, but one can buy a so-called "Schlossweihnachtsticket" (Castle Christmas Ticket) (Adults 6,00 €, Kids 4,00 € - status: 2013) in order to get entrance for the castle during the day as well as to the Apothekenmuseum, the Castle courtyard and the Large Barrel. Furthermore this ticket allows you to use the "Bergbahn" (cable car, mountain railway) from Kornmarkt to the Castle and back once.