Leipzig
51°20′ N 12°22′ ECitySaxony and the Ore Mountains
Leipzig suits travellers who want one large market threaded through a compact centre plus the Thomanerchor in Bach's church, and the market ends on 23 December. The city's market runs from 24 November to 23 December 2026 with about 300 stalls.
Photo Joachim Köhler · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 and others, credited in the gallery
Who should base here
Staying in the centre puts the whole Christmas market, from the Markt to the Augustusplatz, within a short walk, and you can fit a Friday or Saturday motet at the Thomaskirche around the stalls.
Take the train from Leipzig
- Leipzig to Dresdenfastest 1 h 09 min, published by Deutsche Bahn (checked Oct 10, 2026) · timetable
Leipzig spreads its Christmas market across the old town, from the Markt in front of the Old Town Hall past the Naschmarkt and the Nikolaikirchhof to the Augustusplatz. The city runs it and traces it back to the 15th century. Families gravitate to the Augustusplatz for the fairy-tale forest and the Ferris wheel. The Naschmarkt holds the historic crafts.
Music is the other reason to come. The Thomanerchor usually sings the motets at the Thomaskirche on Fridays at 18:00 and Saturdays at 15:00, and a 3-euro programme gets you in. The Nikolaikirche, where the city says the Peaceful Revolution began, has the largest church organ in Saxony.
Worth knowing
- Time a visit for a Friday evening or Saturday afternoon motet at the Thomaskirche.
- On 22 and 23 December the market closes at 20:00, and on the last day only the Markt itself has traded in recent years.
Quick answers about Leipzig
When is the Leipzig Christmas market in 2026?
The Leipzig Christmas market runs from 24 November to 23 December 2026, the city confirms, open until 21:00 Sunday to Thursday and until 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Is Leipzig a good place to stay?
Staying in the centre puts the whole Christmas market, from the Markt to the Augustusplatz, within a short walk, and you can fit a Friday or Saturday motet at the Thomaskirche around the stalls.
Within 12 km
Places to stay nearby
