Tips · Germany
Frankfurt Christmas Market Trip: What to Prepare Now?
Frankfurt's Christmas market runs from late November to late December, from the Römerberg to the Hauptwache. Weather, clothing, a 2-day plan and what to book.
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The short answer
According to the Frankfurt guide, the Christmas market runs from late November to late December, stretching from the Römerberg to the Hauptwache. Dates change every year, so check the official city or tourism information before you book accommodation and transport.
Market season is a busy time to travel, so book accommodation and transport early. December mornings average around 0°C, so pack warm winter clothes.
When and where the market is, as the guide says
According to the guide, the Christmas market runs from late November to late December, with stalls stretching from the Römerberg to the Hauptwache. The Römerberg is the square at the heart of the old town, home to the Römer city hall.
Exact dates and opening hours change every year, so check the official city or tourism information before you book accommodation and transport, and again just before you leave.
The guide also mentions some winter treats. Apple wine, Frankfurt's signature drink, is drunk hot with sugar, cinnamon and cloves in winter, and Bethmännchen, sweet marzipan pastries, are a must at the Christmas market during Advent alongside hot apple wine.
December weather and what to wear
These are 1991–2020 normals from Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), Frankfurt/Main (airport) station: average high / average low / monthly rainfall.
November has highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C; in December highs reach 6°C and lows drop to 0°C. Monthly rainfall is 47mm in November and 55mm in December.
At the market you spend a long time standing outdoors, so bring a heavy coat, hat, gloves and scarf, and wear layers you can take off indoors. Much of the old town is explored on foot, so comfortable shoes help too.
- November: 9°C / 3°C / 47mm
- December: 6°C / 0°C / 55mm
A 2-day winter plan
The guide suggests 1 to 2 nights in Frankfurt. Below is the guide's 2-day plan. The Römerberg, which you pass on day 1, is exactly where the market begins.
In winter, check opening hours and closures. According to the guide, the Palmengarten closes early, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. from November to February, and is closed on 24 and 31 December. The Goethe House is closed on 24, 25 and 31 December 2026 and 1 January 2027. The Kleinmarkthalle is closed on Sundays and public holidays, the Städel Museum on Mondays, and the Römer's Kaisersaal may close at short notice for events.
- Day 1: S8 or S9 from the airport into the city and check in → Römerberg and the Römer (Kaisersaal) → New Old Town → climb the cathedral tower (check access officially) → St Paul's Church → Kleinmarkthalle (closed Sundays) → in the evening, cross the Eiserner Steg for apple wine in Sachsenhausen
- Day 2: Goethe House in the morning → cross the Eiserner Steg to the Museum Embankment and the Städel Museum (closed Mondays) → U-Bahn to Bockenheimer Warte for the Palmengarten (until 4 p.m. in winter) → head to the airport
What to book early
Market season is a busy time to travel, so book accommodation and transport early. The guide notes that hotel prices vary a lot by date, so compare them on booking sites.
Use the guide to choose an area. The Altstadt (Römerberg and New Old Town) puts the Römer, the cathedral, St Paul's Church and the Goethe House within walking distance; Sachsenhausen, south of the Main, has apple-wine taverns and the Museum Embankment. The area around Hauptbahnhof suits rail trips to nearby and other European cities.
Goethe House tickets are sold only at the on-site box office, so you cannot buy them ahead. Check opening hours for the cathedral tower and St Paul's Church officially. Check official information before travel for entry requirements (visas, ETIAS and so on).
From the airport and getting around
From Frankfurt Airport, take S-Bahn S8 or S9. The Regional Train Station is below Terminal 1 (Level 0), and the airport is RMV fare zone 5090, so a city-only (zone 5000) ticket is not valid. A city-airport single costs EUR 6.90 and a day ticket EUR 13.50. Taxis are available around the clock at all three terminals and at the long-distance train station.
A city single ticket costs EUR 3.80 and a city day ticket EUR 7.75, valid until 5 a.m. the next day. Buy tickets at station machines, in the official RMV app RMVgo or from the bus driver. Single tickets are for immediate travel only and cannot be bought in advance.
The Frankfurt Card, the tourist board's official visitor pass, gives unlimited public transport in the city including the airport, plus up to 50% off at museums and more. It costs EUR 13 for 1 day and EUR 21 for 2 days, and cannot be refunded or changed.
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FAQ
When is the Frankfurt Christmas market?
According to the guide, it runs from late November to late December. Dates change every year, so check the official city or tourism information before you book.
Where is the market held?
According to the guide, the stalls stretch from the Römerberg, the old-town square, to the Hauptwache.
What is the weather like in Frankfurt in December?
Based on 1991–2020 normals from Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), Frankfurt/Main (airport) station, December averages a high of 6°C, a low of 0°C and 55mm of rain. Bring a heavy coat, hat and gloves.
What should I book first?
Market season is a busy time to travel, so book accommodation and transport first. Goethe House tickets are sold only on site, and it has closing days, so check them when you plan.
Related reading
ⓘ Photo credits
- Mt Moiwa observatory · Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada / CC BY-SA 2.0
- Christmas market lights in Germany · Eremeev / CC BY-SA 3.0