lorijv

Do the Christmas markets in Germany typically last the entire month of December, or are they finished by Christmas eve?

Will be arriving in Munich on the 23rd and departing on the 30th

Thanks!!

Ingo

Most finish Christmas Eve in the afternoon, often even earlier (like 4th Advent).

Mainhattengirl

Most finish on the 22nd or possibly 23rd. Very few are open on the 24th or after, but some towns do have them open. Best is to check the websites of the towns to see.

Poconolady

German-Christmas-market.org.uk. Is a great website with wonderful info on many German markets.

Pepper_von_snoot

I was in Berlin during Christmas 2007. I left December 27 and could swear the Christmas Market near the Opera House on Unter den Linden was open on the day I left.

Thin

AisleSeat

Since the German markets close the afternoon of the 24th or earlier we spent the time after Christmas one year in Prague where the Christmas market stays open till the end of the year.

quokka

Christmas markets are meant to sell gifts, decorations, and food items for the Christmas celebrations, i.e. things that are needed by Christmas Eve. As a logical consequence they take place before the holidays and close no later than Christmas Eve around noon. A few cities, which includes Berlin but not Munich, have sacrificed tradition for the sake of commerce and tourism and started keeping the markets open after the holidays.
Not a good idea because the atmosphere isn't the same. Advent is Advent and Christmas is Christmas. All things have their time, methinks.

WeisserTee

The markets will be closed but that doesn't mean the festive ambience will have disappeared. The holiday decorations in the city streets won't have come down. The stores will still have all their holiday decorations, as will cafes, restaurants etc (those that decorate for the holidays). So enjoy those -- instead of gluhwein at a market, have a drink in a handsomely decorated cafe/bar/restaurant.