Festive Christmas lights, stars and beautifully decorated Christmas trees conjure up a magic atmosphere on Lübeck’s Old Town island and invite you and your friends and families to stroll around the markets next to the Town Hall, in the pedestrian area and on Koberg. The scent of honey roasted almonds, spiced wine, herb goodies and grilled sausages fills the winter air. More than 200 small Christmas stalls offer self-made wooden toys and Christmas tree decorations. In 1648 Lübeck’s Christmas market was mentioned for the first time in historic documents. Today the former “Queen” of the Hanseatic League is a UNESCO world heritage site with a unique, unforgettable atmosphere for a relaxed shopping spree.

Christmas markets on the market
and on Koberg
21st Nov. – 30th Dec.
daily 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri./Sat. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Christmas market Breite Straße
(pedestrian area)
21st Nov. – 30th Dec.
daily 11 a.m. – 8.00 p.m.

Dec. 24th 11 a.m.-2 p.m.,
closed on Dec. 25th and Dec. 26th

Historical Christmas market

With its medieval ambience the historical Christmas market at St. Mary’s churchyard takes visitors back to the times past: amidst the impressive brick stone backdrop craftsmen offer wooden carvings, warm furs, self-made silver jewellery and much more while musicians and jugglers in historic clothing entertain the visitors. In the evenings you and your friends are invited to feel the heat of the burning wood in fire-cans, have a mug of hot mead and practice your dancing skills to medieval music.

Christmas market in St. Mary’s churchyard
23th Nov. – 23rd Dec.
daily 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri./Sat. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Fairytale forest next to St. Mary’s church

Once upon a time … This is how the popular fairytale world by the Brothers Grimm starts. They are brought to life next to St. Mary's church and make children's hearts beat faster. Do you remember your favourite character from the fairytale world? Puss in boots, Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs, King Thrushbeard and Sleeping Beauty are happy to meet and invite you and your whole family to travel through the adventurous world of fairytales. 20 carefully designed showpieces illustrate stories written by the Brothers Grimm and wait to be discovered. … and they lived happily ever after … After such a magical experience the children will love to ride the white horses and carriages on the nostalgic merry-go-round!

Fairytale forest next to
St. Mary's church
21st Nov. – 29th Dec., except 24th Dec. and 25th Dec.
daily 10 a.m.–7 p.m

NEW: Maritime Christmas Market

For the Christmas season of 2011 the Koberg will get a new dress and will remind its visitors of the maritime tradition of the former seafarers’ district in the Northwestern part of the Old Town. The smell of smoked fish and freshly baked bread, of glögg and hot rum is in the air. The historic buildings of St. Jacob’s church, the Seafarers’ Guild and the Hogehus form the dreamlike backdrop of the Koberg. Old wooden barrels, fishing nets and even a stranded shipwreck make for the maritime atmosphere. Let Lübeck, the proud Queen of the Hanseatic League and city on the waterfront, serve you a hot rum and dive with her into the spirit of good old times! Naturally, there’s something for the small sailors as well: They can test their seafaring skills and fish for ships.

Maritime Christmas Market on the Koberg
21st Nov.–30th Dec
daily 11 a.m.–9 p.m.,
Fri./Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.,
closed 25th and 26th December

Handicrafts market in the Hospital of the Holy Spirit

About 150 artisans from Germany, Scandinavia, the Baltic States, Israel and Peru present their most beautiful crafts in the Gothic church hall, in more than 100 small cabins in the so-called long hall and in the medieval vaults to show the great variety of new and old craft methods. No matter if you look for special presents, want to enjoy the celestial Christmas atmosphere or to admire the cabins, which were used as small living rooms by elderly residents three decades ago - you can perfectly start here to get the right Christmas feeling. In addition, the flavour of delicious freshly-baked waffles can be smelled throughout the medieval building, where also high-quality music performances are held several times a day. This unique Christmas market is organised on a volunteer basis by the "Association for Women and Culture" and all the proceeds are donated to charity.

Hospital of the
Holy Spirit at Koberg
25th Nov.-5th Dec. 2011
daily from 10.00 a.m.-7 p.m.
on the opening day from 12 a.m.-9 p.m.
Entrance fee: € 2.00 (also for groups)
pupils and students € 0.50

Handicrafts market at St. Peter's church

A merry atmosphere in one of the most beautiful churches in the North of Germany - that is the handicrafts market at St. Peter's church. Lübeck's cultural church is beautifully decorated during Christmas time. Artisans from near and far present their wonderful crafts in the overwhelming ambience of the 800-years-old, bright and clear church-hall.
Visitors are shown perfect gifts for Christmas: a fine selection of ceramics and wooden pieces, excellent textile and felt art, jewellery, glass and amber as well as wool and weaving works - the variety of goods ensures that you will definitely find a great present to place underneath the Christmas tree. On all four weekends during Advent children are invited to make their own little fairy lights and Christmas tree decorations. The café of St. Peter's church offers you festive delicacies and tasty treats and next to the entrance the church welcomes you to enjoy a cup of hot apple punch. Enjoy a cup and afterwards you will be warm enough to venture a visit on the viewing platform - the 50 metres high steeple will grand you an amazing view of the Christmas town of Northern Germany.

St. Peter's and St. Peter's
churchyard at Schmiedestraße
24th Nov.–18th Dec., daily 10 a.m.–7 p.m.,
entrance fee € 2.00 for adults, children up to the age of 12 free, grand opening on Nov. 23th at 6 p.m. during the event “Shining Advent”

NEW: Christmas Wonderland

Through the eyes of a child Christmas is the most magic and mysterious time of the year, promising new discoveries and experiences. Lübeck offers its young visitors a playground full of adventures in the idyllic scenery of the Christmas Wonderland at the Obertrave, away from the hustle. Here the wishes of our young Christmas market visitors are in the centre of attention. Children can start their discovery journey in the lovingly decorated trolls’ forest and play their own Christmas story. The little ones bake and decorate tasty cookies together with a baker. They are served y mug of hot chocolate, they get an apron and finally receive a real baker’s diploma… 2 hours of fun without annoying grown-ups! Another winter’s delight is the skating rink of 200 m², especially made for small skating artists smaller than 1.60 cm. Also beginners can easily conquer the rink with the help of penguin shaped skating aids. And while your children play and have fun, you can just lay back and rest and enjoy the service of the team at the trolls’ place. The Christmas Wonderland is looking forward to welcoming you and your family!

Christmas Wonderland at the Obertrave
21st Nov.2011–1st Jan.2012
daily 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

Niederegger Christmas market: Marzipan made of love

You really shouldn’t miss the sweet pleasure at the Christmas bazaar of the 200-years- old Niederegger with a long-standing tradition. In Christmas time exhibits and delicacies are presented that cannot be found elsewhere. The exhibition gives you an insight in the art of designing Christmas marzipan items such as marzipan nutcrackers, Christmas cakes, marzipan fruits, oven-fresh almond biscuits and heavy fir cones made in historical forms of 1850. The new Arkadencafé has a beautiful view over the Christmas market. Try a piece of the famous Niederegger nut cake, a marzipan cappuccino or a tasty roast apple with marzipan: delicious!

Christmas bazaar at Cafe-Niederegger
24th Nov. – 18th Dec.
Mon. – Sat. 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Breite Straße 89
Arkadencafé
Mon. – Thu. 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Fri./Sat. 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.,
Sun. 10 a.m. – 21 p.m.
Markt

Further information:
www.niederegger.de

"Lübeck Christmas"

A typical Lübeck Christmas bazaar and handicraft market in one of the historic warehouses

19th and 20st Nov., 26th and 27th Nov. 2011 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Schuppen 6, An der Untertrave/Willy-Brandt-Allee

More Christmas markets and bazaars (in Travemünde)

New Year’s Garden – winter magic at the sea

The Travemünde New Year’s garden invites under the motto “ Winter magic at the sea” to celebrate the past year while strolling through the winter world of light and warmth as well as fire and music. At the wintry event area located at the boardwalk with view on the sea the visitors are expected by a winter market with modern and traditional elements like a Swedish village or a winter beach club with beach chairs.
Additional highlights are the funfair for kids, the variety of wintry culinary food concourse as well as the New Year’s concert at the 1st January with “Kerzel’s Ragtime Band”.

25th Dec. – 2nd Jan,
Brügmanngarten Travemünde

Kiwani's Christmas Bazaar

20nd-21rd Nov.
Cruise Terminal of Travemünde