Christmas Market in Göttingen (Weihnachtsmarkt)
The Göttinger Weihnachtsmarkt turns the medieval heart of Göttingen, the Lower Saxony university town, into a Christmas village, with more than 60 decorated wooden stalls clustered around the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) and St. John’s Church (Johanniskirche). The famous Gänseliesel fountain, the goose girl whom graduating doctoral students traditionally kiss, stands in the middle of the festive bustle.
Held annually from late November and running through the days after Christmas until the end of December, the market suits a relaxed visit in a compact half-timbered old town, with a stage at the Johanniskirche for performances for all ages.
Christmas Market Highlights:
- Old Town Hall Setting: The stalls fill the market square in front of the medieval Altes Rathaus, with the Gänseliesel fountain in the middle.
- Local Drinks & Sausages: Mulled wine served with pickled cherries, mulled beer, a local specialty, and Göttingen’s sausage specialties.
- Stalls & Gifts: Candles, tree ornaments and Christmas treats from the decorated huts.
- For Children: A historic penny-farthing and a festively decorated children’s carousel, plus the Advent calendar in the windows of the city library.
Tips for Visitors & Trip Planning:
- Free Entry: Walking around the market costs nothing; you pay only for food, drinks and souvenirs.
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday afternoons are relaxed, while weekend evenings are livelier. A live webcam on the official site shows crowds and weather.
- Getting There: The old town is a short walk from Göttingen’s railway station, and more than 4,000 parking spaces are available in the city centre, with extra spaces on Advent Saturdays.
- What to Wear: Warm layers, a hat, gloves and comfortable shoes for the cobbled lanes and cold evenings.
- Accommodation: Hotels in this university town fill up on weekends and during the market, so booking well in advance is strongly recommended.
- Explore Göttingen: Combine the market with the “Rund ums Gänseliesel” walk, the “Göttinger Unterwelt” cellar tour and the nativity scenes in the city’s churches — browse top Göttingen tours and activities here.
The full program, the stage schedule and the map of stalls are published on Göttingen’s official tourism website. See details below, under “Event Related Information” section.
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