Arrival of the Rothenburg Reiterle
Ankunft des Rothenburger Reiterle49°23′ N 10°11′ EOpening ceremonyNov 27, 2026Dates projectedSeasonal
The Reiterle, the legendary horseman who gives Rothenburg's Christmas market its name, rides onto the Marktplatz on the Friday before Advent, which falls on 27 November in 2026. It suits families and anyone in Rothenburg that evening; the 2026 date is projected from the 2025 programme.
Dates and hours
- November 27, 2026Projected from past yearschecked Oct 10, 2026
- November 28, 2025Confirmedsourcechecked Oct 10, 2026
Date rule: fri-before advent1
Since 2025 Rothenburg opens its Reiterlesmarkt a week earlier than it used to, and the Reiterle keeps its own evening on the Friday before the first Sunday of Advent. In 2025 the rider came onto the Marktplatz on horseback at 17:00 on 28 November to open the Christmas season. The tourism service hasn't posted the 2026 programme, so 27 November is our projection from that pattern.
Old Rothenburg believed the Reiterle carried the souls of the dead through the winter sky. Over the centuries the figure softened into a welcome messenger of Christmas, which is the version that rides in today. The market around it takes its name from the rider.
Worth knowing
- Arrive at the Marktplatz before 17:00 if you want to see the Reiterle ride in.
Quick answers about Arrival of the Rothenburg Reiterle
When does the Reiterle arrive at the Rothenburg Christmas market?
The Reiterle rides onto the Rothenburg Marktplatz on the Friday before Advent; in 2025 it arrived at 17:00 on 28 November. For 2026 that Friday is 27 November, a projected date until Rothenburg Tourismus Service publishes its programme.
What are the opening hours of Arrival of the Rothenburg Reiterle?
Arrival of the Rothenburg Reiterle is open in 2025 the Reiterle rode onto the Marktplatz at 17:00.