Esslingen Christmas Markets: A Medieval Twist on a Holiday Classic

Christmas markets in Germany are a magical combination of food and drinks, lights, and holiday cheer. I live in Stuttgart and visiting the Weihnachtsmärkte is something I look forward to each year. 

Nevertheless, if you see lots of them they can tend to get a bit repetitive. Visitors will see much of the same Christmas decor and handcrafts at each market throughout the country. 

So if you’re looking for a Christmas market with a unique twist this year, head to the Esslingen Christmas Markets (technically there is more than one market, but I’ll just refer to it as different sections). Not only is the town of Esslingen one of the most beautiful towns in Germany, but the market is special because it has a medieval theme!   

The Esslingen Christmas Market is a must-visit for those seeking something different. It’s much more interactive than other markets in the activities and entertainment offered. This guide will cover the history of the market, explore the unique medieval touches, and provide essential information for you to make the most of your visit.

History of the Esslingen Christmas Market

Esslingen has been known for its trading market since 866, when it was granted a market right, distinguishing it as a city that was allowed to host a market.  

Esslingen has had a Christmas Market for decades, but in 1997 some medieval-themed stalls were set up, and the Medieval aspect of the market has only grown since.   

Where is Esslingen?

Esslingen am Neckar (Esslingen on the Neckar River) is part of the larger Stuttgart metro area in Baden-Wurtemburg, in southwest Germany.  The city is on the Neckar river southwest of Stuttgart and has a beautifuly-preserved old town that dates back to the middle ages.  

How to get to Esslingen’s Christmas Market

Esslingen is easily reachable for a day trip from Strasbourg, Frankfurt or Ulm, as it is only a 15-minute train ride from Stuttgart’s central station (Hauptbanhof). Take the S1 on the S-bahn or a number of other regional trains.

Once you get off the train in Esslingen, it’s a 10-minute walk through the main shopping area (follow Bahnhofstrasse) to get to the main section of the Christmas market, which is in the old town by the Rathaus.   

If you drive, use the Esslingen city app to see which parking garages are available, as it gets very crowded during Christmas market time.

Esslingen Christmas Market Dates and Hours

The Esslingen Christmas Market is open daily from November 26th to December 22nd from 11:00am to 8:30pm and for an additional hour until 9:30pm on Friday and Saturday.  Opening and closing day hours are slightly different. Check the tourism website for the most up to date information and to see if the market will be closed on the Totensonntag (Sunday of the dead) holiday in November.

The best time to visit the market is when it is least crowded, which is in the morning or early afternoon on a weekday.  Evenings and weekends are often very crowded–so crowded that in the medieval area you may feel claustrophobic since you have to push past people to move around.  That being said, the market is even more magical when it’s lit up at night, so consider going in the afternoon and leaving right after sunset. 

Around 1,000,000 people come to Esslingen to see the Christmas Market each year, so you know it’s good!

Layout of the Markets

As with many German cities, there are actually multiple markets in different areas here. Check out the map to get oriented before you arrive. 

In the Marktplatz, or Market Square, there are typical Christmas market stands with food and Christmas crafts for sale.   

Heading from the Marktplatz to the Rathaus you’ll see a wooden structure with a sign for the Mittelaltermarkt (Medieval Market) and you’ll step back in time. Torches and fire pits provide the light here and vendors are dressed up in middle ages garb.  Signs and prices are painted on wood. The things for sale are not Christmas-specific but hand crafts that you could find centuries ago.

A must-visit section is the Zwergenland (Dwarf land) children’s area. The area is a bit hidden in the pedestrian underpass that goes under Augustinerstrasse but look for the wooden signs that say Zwergenland. Here there are games where kids can try their hand at archery or launching a catapult.  There are also some wooden rides that I had never seen before that were fun to watch, like a hand-cranked ferris wheel.

The medieval market continues near Hafenmarkt, and the first time I visited I completely missed this section. This area is generally a little less crowded, which is nice if you are feeling overwhelmed.  There are food and drinks here, archery for adults and even hot tubs (or hot barrels?) that you can reserve at the Badehaus. Did I mention it’s Germany so you’ll be expected to go naked though? 

The last area is near the Fischbrunnenplatz where there are live animals for a nativity scene. On Saturdays and Sundays there is the Adventsmarkt where vendors were selling lots of handcrafts like soaps and carvings that were not necessary Christmas-related. 

Entertainment

Some German Christmas markets might have Christmas carolers or musicians but Esslingen has fire-eaters, jugglers and acrobats, all acts you might have seen in the middle ages. 

There are four stages that offer entertainment and over the course of the market almost 500 shows.  With the crowds these stages can be difficult to find, so it’s a good idea to check out the program ahead of time to see if there is anything you want to see. 

One special event is the torchlight parade. On December 21 participants parade up to the castle on the hill with torches to celebrate the winter solstice.

Respect Local Customs:

The Medieval Market is a fun celebration and a little more lively than a typical Christmas market. Have fun while still being respectful of local customs and traditions. While photography is generally allowed, always ask for permission before capturing images of specific products or people. The privacy laws in Germany regarding sharing images without permission are very strict, so you don’t want to get in trouble!

Food and Drink You Can’t Miss:

• Glühwein – A must at every market.  Of course, Esslingen has their own twist and it’s that the cups here are handmade ceramics with a stamp of the city coat of arms.  If you get a drink you’ll pay a pfand which is a deposit and you can keep the cup or return it and get your money back. They make a fun souvenir!
• Stickbrot – This twisted bread on a stick is a favorite with kids.  There are sweet and savory versions and there is even a pfand (deposit) for the stick!
• Venison – Medieval food was pretty basic but the venison was good so if you are a fan be sure to get some here.

Most places offer touchless payment with card but it’s always a good idea to have cash on hand and it’s much appreciated by smaller merchants.  It’s also important to have 50 cent or 1 euro coins to use the bathrooms, which you usually have to pay for. 

The Esslingen Medieval Market is absolutely worth a special trip, so start planning your visit now!