It’s only mid-October, but Germany is already glowing with fairy lights and cinnamon-scented air. Across the country, several Christmas markets — or as they prefer to call themselves, “winter villages” and “winter worlds” — are opening their doors weeks ahead of the Advent season.
From Bayreuth in Bavaria to Laubach in Hesse and Berlin’s Potsdamer Platz, organizers are betting that festive nostalgia and warm Glühwein can’t come too soon.
Bayreuth: tradition meets early sparkle
In Upper Franconia, the city of Bayreuth has long embraced the art of early celebration. Its “Winterdorf” (Winter Village) opened this Wednesday in front of the Old Castle — almost ten weeks before Christmas Eve.
The long-standing event has become a local tradition, running for more than 20 years and drawing over 120,000 visitors annually. Wooden huts, twinkling lights, and steaming mugs of mulled wine turn the city center into a glowing hub of pre-Christmas cheer. The market runs until 31 December, offering locals a long, cozy stretch of holiday atmosphere.
Laubach: a castle wrapped in winter magic
Farther north, in the Hessian town of Laubach (Gießen district), the “Winterzauber auf Schloss Laubach” brings royal charm to the season. The historic castle and park of the Counts of Solms-Laubach transform into a festive wonderland on two consecutive weekends: 16–19 October and 23–26 October.
Visitors can expect live music, artisan gifts, light installations, and theatrical performers on stilts, all set amid the backdrop of a 16th-century estate. For many, it marks the unofficial start of the German Christmas season — weeks before Advent calendars are even opened.
Berlin: sliding into the season at Potsdamer Platz
Even the capital is joining in early. At Berlin’s Potsdamer Platz, the popular “Winterwelt” (Winter World) opens on 31 October, featuring classic treats like roasted almonds, crêpes, and of course, Glühwein.
But the star attraction isn’t edible — it’s the 12-meter-high, 70-meter-long toboggan run, inviting brave visitors to slide downhill right in the heart of the city. The market stays open until 31 December, giving Christmas enthusiasts two full months to soak in the festive vibe — or race down the slope, mug in hand.
A trend that divides opinions
While many Germans welcome the early glow of fairy lights, others feel the Christmas season is creeping too far into autumn. But in a country where holiday markets are cultural institutions, few can resist the lure of roasted nuts, hot drinks, and familiar carols drifting through crisp air.
As temperatures drop and days grow shorter, Germany’s love affair with early winter magic shows no sign of cooling off.
