Erlangen – Erlangen Forest Christmas Market 2026

Erlanger Waldweihnacht 2026 takes place from Monday, 23 November to Thursday, 24 December 2026 at Schlossplatz in Erlangen. A little Christmas forest with real fir trees, soft woodland floor, twinkling lights and market stalls will once again be set up in front of the Markgrafenschloss. A varied programme of music will also be offered on stage. The City of Erlangen confirms the dates and daily opening times.

Erlanger Waldweihnacht 2026: Schlossplatz as a Christmas forest

The City of Erlangen and ARGE Erlanger Weihnachtsmarkt organise the market at Schlossplatz together. Numerous fir trees and special ground covering create a wintry square in front of the historic palace. This makes the forest Christmas market different from traditional rows of market huts on a paved area. You can stroll between the decorated huts and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. The central location also makes it a good starting point for a visit to Erlangen city centre.

Crafts, wooden toys and gift ideas

The official Erlangen tourism websites describe a range of handmade products. These include handcrafted wooden toys and mouth-blown Christmas tree decorations. You can also look for Christmas decorations, cosy furs and other gift ideas. The exact mix of traders may vary from day to day. If you are looking for particular products, it is worth checking the organiser's latest information.

Erlanger Waldweihnacht 2026: Music and stage programme

The city announces a varied programme of free stage entertainment. According to the official tourism description, the music ranges from traditional Christmas carols and gospel to rock. So you can combine your visit with a concert to suit your taste. Specific artists, dates and start times are published in the city's current stage schedule. However, no specific artist dates are listed without clear individual confirmation for 2026.

Franconian food and winter treats

Various market stalls offer winter treats among the fir trees. Erlangen Tourist Information mentions Franconian bratwurst, sweet treats and warming drinks such as punch and mulled wine. This makes the forest Christmas market suitable for a lunch break as well as an evening visit. The atmosphere in front of the palace is especially striking at dusk, when the lights come on. Individual stalls' offerings may also change at short notice.

Opening times and Christmas Eve

The forest Christmas market is open from 10 to 21 hours from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays it stays open until 21:30, while opening at 10 as well. On Sundays, the hours are 11 to 21. There is a special arrangement on Thursday, 24 December 2026: you can visit the market only from 10 to 14. According to the city, the additional Christmas tree market at Schlossplatz opens on 4 December and is a separate market area with its own range of goods.

Other Christmas markets in Erlangen

The Historic Christmas Market takes place at the same time at Neustädter Kirchenplatz. This is a separate event with a medieval focus and closes on 23 December. The Waldweihnacht, on the other hand, remains open until Christmas Eve. The city also offers other winter activities. You can find the latest information on the official city website and in our Kirmestermine calendar.