Updated 5 November 2026. The temperatures below are long-term averages from Germany’s national weather service (DWD), and the market dates were checked on the official market websites on 5 November 2026.
Short answer: Dress for standing still in the cold. December in Munich and Nuremberg averages about 2°C (35°F), and it’s dark by around 4 pm. Wear warm layers, a waterproof winter coat, insulated boots with good grip, a hat, gloves and a scarf. Casual clothes are completely fine. Nobody dresses up.
Servus (hi)! 👋 We live in a small German village near the Austrian border, south of Rosenheim, so Christmas market evenings are a big part of our December. The photo at the top is our own, from the Rosenheim Christkindlmarkt in December 2024. Count the beanies and hoods in that crowd. That’s the dress code.
Here’s the thing to plan for. At a Christmas market you don’t walk much. You stroll a few stalls, then you stand at a high table with a Glühwein (hot mulled wine) for half an hour, and the cold comes up through your feet. So my tips are all about staying warm while you’re standing still.
How cold is it at German Christmas markets?
Colder than most visitors expect, mainly because you’re out in the evening. Here are the December averages from the DWD’s official 1991 to 2020 climate data:
| Place | Average December temperature | December days that stay below freezing all day |
|---|---|---|
| Munich (city) | 1.8°C (35°F) | about 5 |
| Nuremberg | 1.6°C (35°F) | about 5 |
| Dresden | 1.7°C (35°F) | about 5 |
| Berlin | 2.3°C (36°F) | about 5 |
| Cologne | 3.8°C (39°F) | 1 or 2 |
| Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Alps) | -1.4°C (29°F) | about 7 |
Those are averages over the whole day and night. In Munich, the temperature drops below freezing on about 17 of December’s 31 days, and that usually happens in the evening and at night, which is exactly when the markets are at their best. Any single year can be milder or snowier, so check the forecast the week before you fly.
It also gets dark early. The City of Munich lights its big Christmas tree on Marienplatz every day “from dusk, around 4 pm”. By the time the lights look their prettiest, the sun has been down for a while.
What should you wear? Layers, layers, layers
You’ll go back and forth between the cold square and warm places: shops, cafés, churches and heated trains. Layers you can open up are much easier than one huge coat with a T-shirt underneath.
- Base layer: thermal long underwear, top and bottom. Merino wool or a synthetic thermal works best. This is the layer I’d never skip, because it’s the one that keeps you comfortable at the Glühwein table.
- Middle layer: a wool sweater or a fleece. Something you can unzip or take off on the train.
- Outer layer: a warm, waterproof winter coat that covers your hips. A hood is a bonus if it rains or snows.
- Bottoms: jeans are fine over thermal leggings. On a really cold night, warmer lined pants are nicer.
As Germans like to say, Es gibt kein schlechtes Wetter, nur schlechte Kleidung (there’s no bad weather, only the wrong clothes). 😊
Shoes: the most important thing you’ll pack
If you only upgrade one thing, make it your shoes. The old towns are cobblestone, the squares get wet from melting snow and spilled drinks, and in a cold snap they can be icy.
- Warm, waterproof boots with a grippy rubber sole. Winter hiking boots or insulated ankle boots are perfect.
- Wool socks, plus a spare pair in your bag. Wet socks are the fastest way to end an evening early.
- Break them in at home. You’ll walk a lot between markets during the day.
- Skip heels, smooth leather soles and mesh sneakers. They’re slippery on wet stones and let the cold straight in.
Heading into the mountains? Slip-on ice cleats (sold in German outdoor shops as Grödel or Spikes) are small and worth having, for example for the walk up to the castle in our guide to Neuschwanstein in winter.
Hat, gloves and scarf
These three make the biggest difference for the least space in your suitcase.
- A warm hat that covers your ears. A beanie is the classic look here.
- Gloves you can use your phone with, or thin touchscreen liners under warmer gloves. You’ll take a lot of photos.
- A scarf or neck gaiter to keep the wind out of your collar.
A hot mug helps too. Glühwein and Kinderpunsch (the alcohol-free punch for kids) come in a real ceramic mug, and you pay a deposit (Pfand) for it on top of the drink. You get the deposit back when you return the mug, or you keep the mug as a souvenir. Our Christmas market food and drinks guide explains how the Pfand works.
Do people dress up for Christmas markets in Germany?
No. Christmas markets are casual. Jeans, a dark winter coat, boots and a beanie is what you’ll see on most people, locals and visitors alike. You don’t need anything traditional, and you don’t need to change before dinner unless you’re going somewhere fancy afterwards.
The one thing worth thinking about is a bag. Pick a small cross-body bag or a daypack that zips closed. The popular markets get crowded in the evening, so it’s smart to keep your bag zipped and in front of you.
What to wear in different parts of Germany
Munich, Nuremberg and Bavaria
Plan for cold, dry evenings around freezing, with a chance of snow. Munich’s main market on Marienplatz opens on 20 November 2026 (it’s closed on Sunday 22 November, then open daily to 24 December), and our Munich Christmas markets guide covers the others. The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt runs from 27 November to 24 December 2026, daily from 10:00 to 21:00 (10:00 to 14:00 on Christmas Eve).
If you’re going to Munich’s big Krampus run on Sunday 13 December 2026 (15:00 to 17:00 in the old town), add an extra layer. You’ll stand in one spot for two hours, and the city says it draws up to 50,000 people, so you’ll want to get there early. Our Krampus run guide has more tips.
Cologne and the Rhine
Cologne is a few degrees milder, but it’s wetter. In the DWD data it gets about 69 mm of rain in an average December, compared with about 58 mm in Munich. A waterproof coat with a hood (or a small umbrella) matters more here than thermals. The market at Cologne Cathedral runs from 16 November to 23 December 2026, so it’s one of the first big ones to open.
The Alps and the Inn Valley
Mountain towns are the coldest. Garmisch-Partenkirchen averages below freezing in December, so plan for snow and ice. This is where proper winter boots, snow pants for kids and ice cleats pay off. Our area on the border is similar, and our guide to Christmas markets on the German-Austrian border covers the markets around Rosenheim, Kufstein and the Chiemsee.
What to wear with kids
Kids get cold faster than adults, especially in a stroller or on your shoulders. Dress them one layer warmer than you, and pack:
- snow pants or lined rain pants for little ones
- mittens on a string, plus a spare pair
- hand warmers for pockets
- a full change of clothes in the daypack
Our guide to Christmas markets with kids has the family-friendly markets and more tips for little ones.
What to carry in your bag
- Cash in coins and small bills. More stalls take cards every year, but small purchases and mug deposits are still easier with coins.
- A foldable bag or some wrapping to carry a mug or ornaments home.
- A small power bank. Phone batteries drain faster in the cold.
- Tissues and lip balm. Cold air is drying, and noses run.
- Hand warmers for the walk back to the station.
Your Christmas market packing list
Here’s the short version I’d hand a friend:
- ☐ Warm, waterproof winter coat (covers your hips, ideally with a hood)
- ☐ Thermal base layers, top and bottom
- ☐ Wool sweater or fleece
- ☐ Insulated waterproof boots with good grip
- ☐ Wool socks, plus a spare pair
- ☐ Warm hat, touchscreen gloves and a scarf
- ☐ Small zip-up cross-body bag or daypack
- ☐ Coins and small bills
- ☐ Foldable bag for a mug or ornaments
- ☐ Power bank, lip balm, hand cream and tissues
- ☐ Hand warmers (especially for kids)
- ☐ Ice cleats if you’re heading to the Alps
Want the printable version? My full Germany packing list covers every season, plus a page for traveling with kids. It’s free when you sign up for the monthly newsletter (instant PDF download, one email a month). 🎄
Forgot something?
No stress. Market stalls sell hats, scarves, wool socks and felt slippers, and every bigger town has department stores and drugstores (look for dm or Rossmann) for hand warmers and lip balm. Just remember that shops in Germany are closed on Sundays, so do your shopping on Saturday.
For dates, our 2026 Christmas market calendar lists every market we track, our guide to when the markets open covers opening days, and the German Christmas markets guide helps you pick the cities.
Pfiat di (take care), Brian
FAQ
What should I wear to a German Christmas market?
Dress for standing outside in the cold for a few hours: thermal base layers, a sweater or fleece, a warm waterproof coat, insulated boots with good grip, wool socks, a hat, gloves and a scarf. Casual clothes like jeans are completely fine.
How cold is it at German Christmas markets?
December averages about 2°C (35°F) in Munich, Nuremberg, Dresden and Berlin, about 4°C (39°F) in Cologne and below freezing in Alpine towns like Garmisch-Partenkirchen, according to the DWD’s 1991 to 2020 climate data. Evenings are colder, and it’s dark by around 4 pm.
Do I need snow boots for German Christmas markets?
You don’t need heavy snow boots in the cities, but you do want warm, waterproof boots with a grippy sole. Cobblestones get wet and can be icy. In the Alps, proper winter boots and slip-on ice cleats are worth it.
Do people dress up for Christmas markets in Germany?
No. Christmas markets are casual. Most people wear jeans, a dark winter coat, boots and a beanie. There’s no dress code and nothing traditional is needed.
What should I pack for a Christmas market trip to Germany?
A warm waterproof coat, thermal layers, insulated boots, wool socks, hat, gloves and scarf, a zip-up bag, coins for stalls and mug deposits, a power bank, lip balm and hand warmers. Add ice cleats for the Alps.
Sources
Checked on 5 November 2026:
- DWD: average temperatures 1991–2020 (Munich city 3379, Nuremberg 3668, Dresden-Klotzsche 1048, Berlin-Tempelhof 433, Köln/Bonn 2667, Garmisch-Partenkirchen 1550)
- DWD: frost days 1991–2020
- DWD: ice days (below freezing all day) 1991–2020
- DWD: precipitation 1991–2020
- muenchen.de: Münchner Christkindlmarkt 2026 (dates, hours, tree lighting, Krampus run)
- Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt: dates and hours
- Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom
- Gesetz über den Ladenschluss, § 3 (shops closed on Sundays)
Top photo: our own, Rosenheim Christkindlmarkt, December 2024.