Historic Osnabrück Christmas Market

Set between City Hall, the cathedral, the theater, and Nikolaiort, the Osnabrück Historic Christmas Market exudes its own special magic. The Old Town itself provides the backdrop: City Hall—site of the Peace of Westphalia—St. Mary’s Church, and the historic gabled houses frame the festively lit stalls. When lights, voices, and music come together here, Christmas in Osnabrück feels both pleasantly close and impressively grand. The market gives the city room to breathe. That’s precisely why people often refer to it as the “quiet Christmas market”: less loud spectacle, more atmosphere, more of that old-town feel. In front of City Hall, the Telsemeyer family’s traditional carousel—more than 100 years old—spins its rounds. Just a few steps further on, the Cathedral Courtyard and the theater lead to more eye-catching attractions. There stands a 6-meter-tall nutcracker, considered the largest fully functional nutcracker at a Christmas market. In front of the theater, the world’s largest working music box also spins, featuring life-size figures set to Christmas melodies.

Culinary options range from mulled wine, bratwurst, Feuerzangenbowle, Handbrot, and flambéed salmon to cheese spaetzle, pretzel sandwiches, stroopwafels, as well as vegetarian and vegan options. For families, the Advent calendar in front of City Hall and the St. Marien trombone choir are among the highlights that set the festive mood.

All important information is available at the Osnabrück | Osnabrücker Land Tourist Information Office: Phone: 0541-323-2202, Email: tourist-information@osnabrueck.de, or at erleben.osnabrueck.de