Christmas market in Lüneburg opens before Halloween – joy or disappointment?

Christmas market in Lüneburg opens before Halloween – joy or disappointment?

The festive season is just around the corner! Things are really getting started in the region with the Christmas market “Winterzauber am Bergström” in Lüneburg, which opens at the end of October. For many people, the pre-Christmas season means the start of a contemplative time full of treats, mulled wine and a festive atmosphere. But not everyone is enthusiastic about the early opening, as HNA reports. Some social media users are critical of the early launch and would rather wait until December to get into the Christmas spirit.

Organizer Wilfried Voß is understanding. “There will always be complaints,” he says. Nevertheless, the market, which offers mulled wine, reindeer and a Santa Claus, has its own appeal. There is a colorful mix of sarcastic comments and positive voices on the Internet that reflect the anticipation of the days ahead. Some people wish that the Christmas magic lasted a little longer.

A treat for Christmas market fans

The Lüneburg Christmas market is considered one of the first to open this year. The impression that the Christmas season is being pushed forward irreversibly seems to be confirmed. After Dead Sunday, another Christmas market will open its doors in the city, while the “Christmas City of Lüneburg” will be offering numerous events up to and beyond the festival. In this festive setting, the critics' concerns quickly seem to fade into the background.

The Christmas market is not only a hit in Lüneburg. If you want to explore the diverse selection of markets in Germany, you will also find a wealth of offerings in Munich. Several markets will open there in the coming weeks, including the traditional Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz, which looks back on over 600 years of history. This market, which runs from November 24th to December 24th, 2025, is known for its impressive setting of the neo-Gothic town hall and even exhibits the largest nativity scene in Germany.

Diverse Christmas markets in Munich

The city has even more to offer! With facilities such as the Viktualienmarkt, which promises an upscale atmosphere from November 21, 2025 to January 5, 2026, or the Christmas village at the Residenz with craft stalls and puppet shows, it won't be boring. The ice magic event at Karlsplatz-Stachus, the large mobile ice rink, also attracts visitors with special themed ice skating days from November 21st to February 11th, 2026.

• Geplante Weihnachtsmärkte in München:
• Christkindlmarkt am Marienplatz: 24. November bis 24. Dezember 2025
• Viktualienmarkt: 21. November 2025 bis 5. Januar 2026 (geschlossen an Sonntagen und Feiertagen)
• Eiszauber am Karlsplatz: 21. November 2025 bis 11. Februar 2026
• Weihnachtsdorf in der Münchner Residenz: 17. November bis 22. Dezember 2025
• Schwabinger Christkindlmarkt: 28. November bis 24. Dezember 2025

No matter whether Lüneburg or Munich – Christmas magic seems to be blooming in every corner. With many ways to make the pre-Christmas season festive, December and its holidays will be a particularly wonderful treat for the senses. Whether you're crowding the church square in Lüneburg or standing at the mulled wine stand in Munich - they all share the anticipation of the festival of festivals.