When you plan on visiting the Bamberg Christmas Market, here are handy details you should know upfront to make the best of your experience.
Bamberg has four different winter and Christmas markets.
In 2022, however, only three are taking place. The local intercultural handicraft market was cancelled.
- Bamberger Weihnachtmarkt
- Adventsmarkt im Sand
- Don Bosco Winterzauber
- Interkultureller Kunsthandwerker-Adventsmarkt (cancelled)
The main market Bamberger Weihnachtmarkt can be found from 22 November to 23 December 2022.
- Monday to Saturday: 9.30am to 8pm
- Sunday: 11am to 8pm
The Christmas market Adventsmarkt im Sand takes place from 25 to 27 November.
- Friday: 4pm to 8.30pm
- Saturday: 11am to 8.30pm
- Sunday: 11am to 6pm
The third Christmas market in Bamberg, called Don Bosco Winterzauber, is hosted on the hill Jakobsberg from 12 November to 13 November with local handicrafts and a cultural program.
- Saturday: 1 to 8pm
- Sunday: 11am to 7pm
In front of the new town hall you can find the square Maximiliansplatz, which is where the main Christmas market is hosted in Bamberg every year.
- Maximiliansplatz 3, 96047 Bamberg
Another location is the Sandstraße in Old Town.
- St. Elisabeth, Obere Sandstraße 29, 96049 Bamberg
The location for the Don Bosco market is in the local youthe club Don Bosco.
- Don Bosco Jugendwerk – St. Josefsheim, Jakobsplatz 15, 96049 Bamberg
December is the wettest month in Bamberg. So come prepared for rainfall and maybe some light snow.
The average temperates range from 39°F (4°C) to 28°F (-2°C).
Nights at Christmas market can be super chilly, so I highly recommend layering up with warm socks, light thermal underwear and gloves.
Should the weather report predict rain, I would recommend a poncho instead of an umbrella as it gets rather crowded and is, quite frankly, rude.
The Christmas market fills up the square entirely and you can walk from wooden stall to stall, which are around 70 in number.
Around the square are pretty Baroque buildings and the fairy lights strung across the area make for a stunning sight.
These offer a variety of local and typical German Christmas products.
A highlight for German Christmas markets is eating the warm food and drinking Glühwein (“mulled wine”).
Since Bamberg is part of Franconia, you can get local Franconian delicacies, such as sausages, ham and soups.
Condiments to take home as a souvenir are honey, jams and lebkuchen.
Of course, you can also purchase locally brewed beers, wines and mulled wine sirup.
For your sweet tooth, there is an array of roasted nuts, deep-fried dough
If you are looking for traditional Christmas souvenirs, then a Christmas market is THE place to get them.
There are star paper lanterns that throw the prettiest light effects on the wall. Then, you can get wooden tree hangers, baubles and ornaments.
Many of these items are handcrafted regional items.
The Christmas market in Bamberg is free of charge.
