It’s Christmas market season, and Germany is the place to experience this lively tradition—nowhere more so than in Frankfurt. The city’s market history reaches back to 1393. Early fairs didn’t always feature decorated trees, but they did include popular ecclesiastical mystery plays and other seasonal entertainment. By the early 19th century, evergreen firs became part of the celebration. Wealthy merchants originally displayed the first trees inside the Römerhalle, and tree sales soon moved to the area in front of the town hall. Today a tall, sparkling tree still stands there each year, serving as a focal point for visitors and locals alike.
Modern markets fill Frankfurt’s historic quarters around Paulsplatz and the Römerburg, with stalls stretching from the Hauptwache to the banks of the River Main. Sample local specialties such as almond-studded marzipan biscuits called bethmännchen and little figures made from prunes and nuts known as quetschemännchen. Other regional gifts to look for include apple-wine soaps, distinctive mustards, baking tins shaped like the bull and bear sculptures from the financial district, cozy slippers, apple-wine jelly, and Kornmann’s Frankfurt Crown Cake Liqueur, a creamy almond-and-vanilla–flavored spirit. Be sure to warm up with a mug of glühwein as you browse. Under the market’s main Christmas tree you’ll often find a log cabin showcasing the season’s special gifts and souvenirs.
Beyond the market itself, Frankfurt offers a range of seasonal experiences. Consider booking a Christmas getaway that includes an overnight stay with breakfast at a centrally located hotel, a roughly 50-minute festive cruise on the River Main, and ice skating at the city rink when weather permits. Practical options for visitors include a Frankfurt information package and a two-day Frankfurt Card for public transportation and museum entry. Many seasonal packages also include a Christmas Market coupon book with vouchers for a mug, a bratwurst, a mulled wine, and a bag of marzipan sweets. Package prices typically start from around €76 per person for a double-room stay, making Frankfurt an accessible and atmospheric holiday destination.