The Leipzig Christmas Market will have Christmas festivities from November 24th to December 23rd 2015. The 500-year-old market, one of the most beautiful in Germany, will house over 250 decorated booths with the Christmas theme. The marketplace, which dates back to 1458, will feature a 65-foot tall decorated Christmas tree and Christmas programs held on the marketplace’s center stage.

Leipzig Christmas Market

Leipzig Christmas market in front of the Old City Hall, Photo by Dirk Brzoska/Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing

In Augustusplatz, the square on the east part of Leipzig, visitors can ride a giant Ferris wheel. In Salzgässchen, there’s a historic carousel to delight guests.

Hungry visitors can try the authentic pretzels, Pulsnitzer gingerbread and various adult drinks like the flaming rum and Leipzig wine. Take your children to the fairytale forest on Augustusplatz. They can even make their own gifts at the elves’ workshop. The Ore Mountains is the destination for special Christmas gifts in Germany. Check for nut crackers, ‘incense smoker’ figurines and Christmas pyramids. The Ore Mountains is famous for wooden art and boasts more than 1,600 crafts businesses.

Hours for the Leipzig Christmas Market are 10 am to 9 pm from Sunday to Thursday and from 10 am to 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. There are restrictions for shopping on Sundays in Leipzig, Germany, but the bans will be lifted for December 6th and December 20th. Shops will be open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on those days for the Leipzig Christmas Market.