This article offers an overview of the most kid-friendly Christmas markets and activities around Stuttgart, Germany
If you’re anything like us, you prefer unique experiences that stand out from the mundane. In this article, we’ll suggest a few of the best German Christmas markets that passed our kid-test, and offer undeniable unique holiday fun.
While you can find quaint Christmas markets across Europe (more articles on that later!), this article is focused on kid approved German Christmas markets around Stuttgart, Germany. We’re quite sure that even if you are traveling without kids, you will love the markets that made this list.
See our list below for the Best Christmas Markets in Stuttgart, Germany for Families!
Best Christmas Market Adventure? Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market
Best Medieval Christmas Market? Esslingen
Best Non-Traditional Christmas Experience ? Burg Hoenzellern
Best Unique Christmas Market Experience? Decorating gingerbreads at Stuttgart Christmas market.
Don’t forget to check out our tips on visiting Christmas markets with (or without) kids!
Now let’s get on with it!
The Best Kid friendly Christmas Market for it’s Adventure…
Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market
By far, our most memorable Christmas market family experience was a torchlight hike to a small Christmas market set under a train trestle in the heart of Germany’s Black Forest, known as Ravenna Gorge.
For our family, hiking under torchlight, enjoying the magical market for a couple hours and a short bus ride back to the train station felt relaxed, festive and was not too difficult to manage for anyone (or any age). When we reserved the torchlight hike, we assumed that our kids (ages 5 and 7) would not be allowed to carry their own torches. However, to our surprise, the hike leaders were fine with all participants carrying a torch. We thoroughly enjoyed the growing smiles on their faces when they were handed their very own torch to light and carry for the evening hike.
The hike started at the kurhaus in Hinterzarten and meandered downhill for approximately 1.5km before reaching the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market. The path was an easy dirt road, and was not challenging.
A highlight of the torch hike was slowly making our way through the picturesque Loffeltal Valley illuminated under torchlight, to the Ravenna Gorge Christmas market, greeted by the glowing lights of the train tressle high above.
Due to its remote location in the Black Forest, this Christmas market offers various regional specialties such as Black Forest ham, wild boar bratwurst (which was delicious!), Black Forest cake, and other local delicacies.
Most market vendors were selling handcrafted and hand produced specialties. In our experience, many markets across Europe are commercialized with non-unique wares often made in China being sold. This market is NOT THAT.
Tips: If you plan to attend the Ravenna Gorge Christmas market, you need to buy tickets online as this Christmas market charges a small entry fee per person and often sells out due to its small size, remote location and mandatory transport in/out options. If you plan to attend, book early! You can check out the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market website here for more details.
If you plan to take the shuttle to the Ravenna Gorge Christmas market, there are various starting locations so be sure to identify the location that works best for you. We parked our car at the train station in Hinterzarten. The meeting point for the torch hike at the kurhaus was within walking distance and the return shuttle dropped us directly at the train station. If we were not hiking in, other parking locations with shuttle options would have also worked fine.
If you would like to participate in the torchlight hike, you need to book your tickets separately through the Schneeschuh Akademie Hinterzarten, as this group acts as guides for the hike. A torchlight hike ticket purchased from the Schneeschuh Akademie includes entry to the Ravenna Gorge Christmas market and a return trip on the shuttle bus. This event sells out quickly, so be sure to book early.
If the torchlight hike is booked and you still want to hike, detailed directions for a self-directed hike can be found here. If you hike on your own, please know that you still need to purchase your date and timed entry to the Christmas market.
The Best unconventional Christmas Market for Families…
Burg Hoenzellern Winter Magic Christmas Experience
If you’re looking for an unconventional Christmas market, some castles around Germany offer various holiday festivities. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy holiday festivities in a beautifully decorated castle?
Burg Hoenzellern, located approximately 1 hour southwest of Stuttgart, decorates several rooms in their castle for the holidays, and has a Christmas laser light show choreographed to music that takes place in the castle’s courtyard once it’s dark. The courtyard has various stands with typical Christmas market food and refreshments.
A clown in the courtyard provides entertainment for the littles, making oversized bubbles. Our kids were more than happy to chase giant bubbles while we watched nearby with our glühwein, soaking in the festive atmosphere of the castle.
To attend Burg Hoenzellern’s Winter Magic experience, you need to purchase a date and timed ticket, which covers entry and a shuttle to/from the castle parking lot. For more information, click here. If you are looking for something a bit different than the typical Christmas market, this Christmas experience, might be just the ticket.
The Best Medieval Christmas Market in Germany for Families…
Esslingen
The quaint city of Esslingen offers the best medieval Christmas market for kids, hands down. The already gorgeous aldstadt transforms into a medieval Christmas market to offer a variety of medieval inspired kids rides, games and experiences, paired with the traditional Christmas market charm, that we all love. There is truly something for everyone at this family friendly Christmas market.
Adults can choose between mead and glühwein while enjoying the offerings of medieval-inspired vendors. The ‘Dwarfland’ area for kids offers a historic carousel, and Ferris wheel, both of which are hand turned. Traditional games such as axe throwing and archery can also be found here. Kids sotrytelling and other events are also held on a small stage at this Christmas market.
Tips: Be sure to check the city’s website here for the dates/times of the medieval market. For 2025, the medieval market runs from November 25th to December 22nd.
The market is easily accessible from the subway/train station.
Best Christmas Market Experiences for Kids…
Schlossplatz area of Stuttgart Christmas Market
Stuttgart, Germany has an expansive Christmas market that meanders from square to square in the historic aldstadt. The Schlossplatz area of Stuttgart’s Christmas market plays host to the Kinder-Marchenland – Kid’s Fairyland. This area hosts a variety of kid friendly rides, treats and ice skating.
If you’re a savvy parent, head straight to the gingerbread vendor where, for a small fee, kids can decorate their very own gingerbread! When the gingerbread creation is complete, the vendor quickly re-heats to fortify the decorations and wraps them for your kids to wear around the market! This activity was hands down my kids’ favorite activity out of all the Christmas markets they’ve visited.
Tips: The Stuttgart market is easily accessible by train. Make sure to check the website here for Christmas market dates and information.
Christmas Market Tips Food & Fare
All Christmas markets have plenty of food and drink booths, so show up hungry! Warm drinks such as mulled wine (glühwein) are the drink of choice to warm you in the cold. If you don’t drink alcohol, Kinderpunsch, a spiced tea/fruit juice, served warm is sure to warm you and bring about that festive feeling. Hot cocoa and spiced apple cider are also common beverages on offer at Christmas markets.
Most Christmas markets have their own unique mug for the year that many people enjoy keeping as a momento of their visit. If you’d like to keep your Christmas market mug, know that every drink comes with a pfand, or deposit for the mug the purchased drink is provided in (typically 2-5 Euros). Simply keep the mug and forfeit your pfand being returned. It’s also helpful to know that you don’t typically have to return your mug to the same place that you purchased your beverage from to receive your pfand back, as the Christmas markets mugs are uniform. Simply drink, walk, shop and return to any beverage vendor, once finished.
Food options largely depend on the region but most will offer at a minimum Bratwurst, Currywurst, Kartofelpuffer (potato pancake), french fries, Flammkuchen (a thin pizza made of creme fresh, onions and ham) and Käsespätzle (a Bavarian style macaroni and cheese). Most markets will offer regional specialties, which are sure to tantalize your taste buds. If your kids are picky, you can count on finding pretzels and various flavored nuts and chocolate covered fruit.
Similar to our Oktoberfest tips, overly crowded markets can quickly become overwhelming for both kids and adults. Choosing to go earlier or weekdays typically results in fewer crowds.
While most vendors accept credit cards, it’s a good idea to have cash on hand.
We hope this article was helpful and that you and your family enjoy a magical holiday season!
The Atlas Expeditions 