It is the coldest time of the year. And with that comes Christmas. Mini and I went on our first-ever Christmas trip to enjoy the markets in Lübeck. For those who know us, we always go to warmer climates and don’t spend the holidays in Sweden. However, for the first time ever we felt like checking out some Christmas markets and Lübeck was the first one that we explored.

There are 11 Christmas markets in Lübeck

Lübeck is not a big city. And yet, there are eleven different Christmas markets and a few streets where the holiday cheer is going on. We went there and explored the markets for two whole days. And we made it to ten of them. The last one was closed. This will give you a good idea of how easy it is to walk from market to market. They are all pretty close and yet, they all have a different vibe to them.

We visited the markets during the day and during the evening. Sure, the Christmas spirit comes alive more in the evening but it is also nice during the day. The best part is that each market is unique and has its own flair. We have listed all the markets in Lübeck so that you can find your favorite. Which one will you choose?

Our best tips to enjoy the Christmas Markets in Lübeck

Since we have done them all we know what to expect. However, even if we have our favorites… You might be interested in things other than what we are. We have some things we found out and would like to share so that you get the most out of your stay.

• Choose a hotel in the city center – Since you will be walking pretty much you might want to have easy access from the markets to the hotel. In that case, you can take a break if you need one without the hassle of having to transport you to the hotel.
• Visit during the weekdays – During the weekends the markets get overcrowded fast and you can’t enjoy them in the same way. There are always lots of people but the weekends can become very, very crowded so if you can… visit during the week.
• Wear comfortable shoes – A lot of the streets have cobblestones. Put on a pair of shoes that you like and that you know will last a whole day without killing your feet.
• Look during the day and enjoy during the evening – There are fewer people out during the day. In the evening the markets transform into meeting places for everyone. Stroll around during the day when you can easily see what everyone is selling. Come back during the evening to enjoy the food and drinks.
• If you can… stay for two days – Check out all the markets on the first day and do your shopping on the second. Then you know what you want to buy and you have seen all the options that are out there.

Did you know that Lübeck Travemünde Marketing has made a spotify playlist. Just search ”From Santa With Love”.

Lübeck takes great pride in their Christmas Markets

There is something truly special about visiting a Christmas Market in Lübeck. The old city has such a nice vibe to it so whenever you come here – you will enjoy yourself. Each year the city also prides itself with several different Christmas trees. This year, 2024, there were three different trees that were a bit ”more” than the rest of them. The ”Kotka Pine Tree” is a gift from their Finnish partner city Kotka. It is lit every year near the Holstein Gate on November 25th.

The Fairytale Tree is located at Kleine Burgstraße and is constantly changing colors. And then there are Wish Trees scattered all over the Old Town. There, you can write your wish and add it to the tree. That is such a cute touch and people take their time to leave their wishes.

Even though there are hundreds of salesmen out during the Christmas Market, you will not find the same stuff everywhere. Thats Awesome!

Lübecks Christmas markets in one day

We have been there and we have done the work for you. That’s true with some moderation. The city has maps and a lot of information that can help you make the most out of your day in Lübeck. But, if you want to see them all in one day and get the full experience, we have made an itinerary that you can use. Hope you like it! You can read more about the different Christmas markets further down in this article to find your perfect match.

• Have a marzipan breakfast at Niederegger to start your day and get into the mood.
• Craft Market in St. Peter’s Church. Artists and artisans from Germany and the Baltics are selling their stuff inside the church.
• Traditional Christmas Market on the Market Square at Lübecks Town Hall.
• Historic Christmas Market at St. Mary’s Churchyard.
• Fairytale Forest next to St. Mary’s church. A good place for children.
• Starlit Forest at Schrangen.
• Pixy Wonderland at St. Jacob’s churchyard (Secret Santa Village). A fun place for children.
• Arts and Crafts Market inside the Hospital of the Holy Spirit. A very popular Market where you have to stand in line to enter.
• Maritime Christmas Market at Koberg. Where there are rides and a lot of fun for the children.
• Harbor Glow at DrehBrückenplatz. A good place to visit in the evening.
• Craftspeople’s Christmas Market Lübsche Wiehnacht. Only open for a few special days so it needs some planning. It was closed during our visit to Lübeck.

Did you know that snow is not that common in Lübeck. If it does snow, it doesn’t stay for long. But even without the snow you will get in the christmas spirit!

All the different Christmas Markets in Lübeck

One of them was closed so that is the only one that we did not get to visit. One super cool thing is that most of the things that were for sale were unique. You could find the same stuff at most in three different booths. That is impressive since there are hundreds and hundreds of stalls selling their stuff.

Traditional Christmas Market

When: November 25:th to December 30:th.
Where: Markt/Breite Straße.
What to expect: The ”main” Christmas market is the one to visit more than once. The surroundings with the Town Hall in the background are spectacular and almost feel like it’s cropped into the market. This is one of the most crowded places where you will find visitors all day and all evening. Glühwein is served standing up from several different wooden huts and different kinds of Bratwurst, the German sausage that you never get tired of.
Our best tip: Revisit this market during the day and in the evening. It is one of the markets that really hits the Christmas spirit on the head. Try the Glühwein and their apple snaps, served hot. Perfect if you get cold and need some warming up from the inside.

Historical Christmas Market

When: November 25th to December 23rd.
Where: Marienkirchhof (At the churchyard of St. Mary’s Church).
What to expect: A medieval Christmas market with handicrafts mixed with food and sweets. A nice walk along the different wooden houses from where the sales are taking place. Here, you can buy some really nice gifts that will make the people receiving them very happy. This is a nice place to visit both during the day and in the evening. The lights in the evening make this a special place to see.
Our best tip: This is one of the markets that you will want to visit more than once. The market feels a bit scattered around compared to others but it is in the best way. You never know what’s behind the next corner.

Starlit Forest At Schrangen

When: November 25:th to December 30:th.
Where: Schrangen.
What to expect: A place where you can eat and drink with the feeling of being inside a small forest. Christmas trees are everywhere and lots of places to sit down and enjoy something to eat or drink. This is the place to be if you want to enjoy your mulled wine (Glühwein) without having it ”on the go”. Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself while having a view of St. Mary’s Church. With all the food that is being prepared around you, the smell is delicious!
Our best tip: Make sure to come here in the evening when your feet are getting tired and you want to sit down but you are not ready to call it a day. Grab a seat as soon as you see one because this place is crowded during the evenings. This is a great place to meet new friends while sharing a table.

Fairytale Forest next to St. Mary’s Church

When: November 25:th to December 30:th.
Where: At the foot of St. Mary’s Church.
What to expect: A truly beautiful place where they have designed and built lots of little houses. Each house describes well-known scenes from famous fairytales. The nicest thing about being here is to see the joy in all of the children’s eyes. The air is filled with laughter and the Christmas spirit is on top. And while being here, make sure to also visit the St. Mary’s Church. This is a spectacular place.
Our best tip: Even if you are not traveling with children, this is a market that you still want to stroll through. It is pretty small but very cozy. And make sure that you visit inside the church as well. The fallen church bells that are seen inside make you revisit history. The bells are left where they fell during the World War II.

Craft Market in St. Peter’s Church

When: November 26:th to December 15:th.
Where: St. Petri zu Lübeck. Petrikirchof 4.
What to expect: A really special Christmas market that is held inside St. Peter’s Church. When the sun is shining, it shines through the windows of the church and creates a special vibe. Artists from Germany and the Baltic are selling their handicrafts. Everything is unique here. If you buy something here, you will be the only one owning that piece. Some favorite stuff that we found was a wooden nutcracker and a dragon with fire through his nose. The only bad thing is that all the pieces you want to buy are really expensive. There is also an entrance fee of three euros to enter.
Our best tip: Even if there is an entrance fee, this is a must to visit. The whole church is vibrating with Christmas spirit in a fancy way. Forget about cheap knickknacks – this is the real deal!

Craft Market in the Hospital of the Holy Spirit

When: November 29th to December 8th.
Where: Heiligen-Geist-Hospital, Koberg 11.
What to expect: One of the most popular Christmas markets in Lübeck. No matter when you arrive, there probably will be a line. They only allow a certain amount of people inside the old hospital at once. This is a market not to miss! About 80 different artists from all over the world gather inside and sell their work. Here you can find really unique things. Like pictures made out of wool and other nice pieces. There is an entrance fee of four euros. A fun fact is that all the tiny wooden chambers that are transformed into booths for the Christmas market are old housing for the elderly.
Our best tip: Just enjoy your visit here. Even if you feel that there are a lot of visitors here, they have thought about everything. You all walk the same way and when you are done, there’s a free ”street” that makes it easy to exit without any crowds or lines.

Harbour Glow

When: November 25:th to December 29:th.
Where: DrehBrückenplatz, Willy-Brandt-Allee.
What to expect: This market is where a lot of smaller concerts and events are happening. It is pretty small but there is a stage build-up where there is music and some activities going on. Several containers are placed and decorated which makes it feel somewhat like a restaurant. In other containers, you can buy food and drinks. One restaurant that is also selling its food is Fangfrisch. They also have a bigger restaurant close by if you get cold but still want to eat.
Our best tip: Come here in the evening. This is the place where you can enjoy live music in a cozy environment. If all the seating places are taken – wait for a while because we noticed that people come and go all the time so it will likely free up space during your visit.

Maritime Christmas Market

When: November 25:th to December 29:th.
Where: Koberg Square.
What to expect: A lively place where they have a huge Ferris wheel and some carousels. A lot of stalls are selling food and sweets. This market has more focus on having fun and enjoying yourself than shopping for presents. This is the place to be and enjoy the Christmas spirit through the food and the laughter of children. Ok, let me rephrase that… this is the place to get your sweet tooth satisfied. Take a round in the Ferris wheel and see the market from above.
Our best tip: This is the place to be in the evening when all the attractions are lit up. Make sure to buy some of the sweets here, like churros and candied apples. And even though we are not in Scandinavia – Lübeck is big on licorice and they even have the salty version that we love!

Secret Santa Wonderland

When: November 25:th to December 30:th.
Where: St. Jacob’s Churchyard.
What to expect: Fewer people during the day and more crowded during the evening. There is a really cute mini golf course that all the children like. Inside a dome, there is a workshop where everyone can get creative and make something nice for Christmas. Playing golf is free of charge but you will have to leave a deposit. There are also a lot of small huts that the children can enjoy and come in the right Christmas spirit.
Our best tip: Come here during the day when there are fewer people here and you don’t have to wait in line to play the mini golf course. It is not easy to keep eager children in check when all they want to do is play! And while you are here – be sure to visit the St. Jacob’s church too.

Niederegger Christmas Bazaar

When: November 25:th to December 31:st.
Where: Café Niederegger, Stammhaus, Breite Str. 89.
What to expect: A store and restaurant that is all about Christmas. Be prepared that it is crowded all the hours of the day. Since the marzipan from Niederegger is known all over the world a lot of people come here to do their shopping. Lots of marzipan, chocolate, and nougat with different flavors and in different shapes. This is also the place to see real artwork made out of sweet paste. This is a great place to start your day and eat breakfast (preferably their marzipan one). Make sure to take your time while being here because you can find some really awesome things to enjoy during Christmas.
Our best tip: After breakfast, check out their store but refrain from buying. It quickly becomes heavy and you don’t want to carry that around all day. When you are done for the day – walk back to the store and buy the things you want before heading back to your hotel.

Did you know that there are three people that work with Niederegger only with their marzipan artwork?! They do everything by hand and create some awesome pieces!

Craft Market Lübsche Wiehnacht

When: November 23 – 24, 30. December 1:st.
Where: Schuppen 6, An der Undertrave 47A.
What to expect: Arts and crafts that change throughout the days that the market is open. It’s located in the harbor and inside the market there are some booths selling food. About 35 different exhibitors are presenting their work. There is an entrance fee of two euros to enter the market. Since this market has very limited days it is open, you have to plan ahead if you want to visit this one. We have not been here so we can’t give you any inside info about this Christmas Market.

Other places to visit during your trip to Lübeck

Tired of visiting Christmas markets in Lübeck? No worries, there are lots of things that you can do that do not involve Christmas. Visit the European Hansemuseum and learn more about the city’s history as an important Hanseatic city. In Lübeck, you also have the Gunther Grass house that gives you information about the author. If you want, you can also take a train ride to Travemünde and spend a couple of hours there.

There are several different restaurants, cafés, and places that you also can visit. During the summer, take a boat ride and enjoy the scenic views. Interested in more? Read our complete guide to Lübeck where you can find lots of tips on what to do, where to eat, and some really nice hotels.