Christmas 2026
Christmas in Bremen
The markets, the lights and the parties — and when each is worth it.
21 days to go16 Nov – 26 Dec · 49 ideas
- 3 nights out
- 2 costume parties
- 19 for families
- 12 free
Don't miss
Bremer Weihnachtsmarkt
Schlachte-Zauber
Schlachte-Zauber Opening Fireworks
Friday 20 November
Gregorian »Magical Christmas Tour 2026«
The globally successful choir GREGORIAN presents its 'Magical Christmas Tour', featuring unique Gregorian chants of classical and modern Christmas songs in a new, magical sound. The show includes impressive stage design and light effects.
Monday 23 November
Schlachte-Zauber Opening Fireworks
A grand fireworks display over the Weser River to mark the opening of the Schlachte-Zauber Christmas market.
FamilyFreeSource: Marktwelt-Bremen.de
Tuesday 24 November
Alexander Klaws – A very special MUSICAL CHRISTMAS
Germany's first superstar, Alexander Klaws, performs a festive show featuring popular Christmas songs and hits from his musical career in an intimate setting.
Saturday 28 November
The Grand Christmas Party
A Christmas party featuring percussion beats and a DJ playing a mix of festive and modern sounds, along with a selection of drinks. The event runs until 02:30.
Night out
Saturday 5 December
Krippenspielprobe for Christmas Eve Service
A rehearsal for the nativity play that will be performed during the Christmas Eve service at Hemelinger Kirche. Visitors may be able to observe.
FamilyFree
Sunday 6 December
J.S. Bach: Weihnachtsoratorium
A performance of J.S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio.
Festliches Weihnachtskonzert
A festive Christmas concert featuring Elena Harsanyi, Stefanie Schäfer, Daniel Kim, Armin Kolarczyk, and a large choir performing traditional Christmas songs in beautiful arrangements.
Tom Gaebel & His Orchestra - A Swinging Christmas
Tom Gaebel, Germany's big-band entertainer, and his orchestra perform American Christmas evergreens and modern classics in a 'swinging' style.
Thursday 10 December
Kerzenlicht-Konzert
A candlelight concert at the Dom.
Friday 11 December
Orgelpunkt
An organ concert.
Musik & Lesung aus der Chronik
An evening of music and readings from the chronicle.
Saturday 12 December
Weihnachtliche Orgelmusiken
Christmas organ music.
Mittagskonzert - Orgelmusik zum Advent
A lunchtime organ concert for Advent.
Sunday 13 December
Weihnachtsoratorium
A performance of the Christmas Oratorio.
Advents- und Weihnachtsmusik am 3. Advent
Advent and Christmas music on the 3rd Advent Sunday.
Adventskonzert in der Kirche St. Magni
An Advent concert in the St. Magni Church.
Tuesday 15 December
Die Weihnachtsbäckerei - Das Musical
A turbulent Christmas musical about three siblings, Jonas, Paul, and Emily, and their dog Muffin, who embark on adventures to bake Christmas cookies. Recommended for ages four and up.
Family
Wednesday 16 December
Die Weihnachtsbäckerei - Das Musical
A turbulent Christmas musical about three siblings, Jonas, Paul, and Emily, and their dog Muffin, who embark on adventures to bake Christmas cookies. Recommended for ages four and up.
Family
Ross Antony & Paul Reeves - Unser lustiges Weihnachten
A lively and colorful Christmas show with Ross Antony and Paul Reeves, featuring festive songs, humorous anecdotes, and interactive surprises. Guests are encouraged to wear their 'craziest and most beautiful Christmas outfits'.
Costume
Thursday 17 December
Die Weihnachtsbäckerei - Das Musical
A turbulent Christmas musical about three siblings, Jonas, Paul, and Emily, and their dog Muffin, who embark on adventures to bake Christmas cookies. Recommended for ages four and up.
Family
Merry Christmas Party
A Christmas party with DJ Frank Koopmann and a festive atmosphere. 'Ugly Christmas Sweaters' are explicitly welcome. The event takes place at the Mercedes-Benz Customer Center.
Night outCostumeSource: Rausgegangen Bremen
Friday 18 December
Die Weihnachtsbäckerei - Das Musical
A turbulent Christmas musical about three siblings, Jonas, Paul, and Emily, and their dog Muffin, who embark on adventures to bake Christmas cookies. Recommended for ages four and up.
Family
Candlelight: Weihnachtsklassiker
Candlelight concerts featuring Christmas classics. Specific times are not announced for each day, but the event runs over multiple days.
Saturday 19 December
Die Weihnachtsbäckerei - Das Musical
A turbulent Christmas musical about three siblings, Jonas, Paul, and Emily, and their dog Muffin, who embark on adventures to bake Christmas cookies. Recommended for ages four and up.
Family
Candlelight Christmas: Weihnachtliche Filmmusik
A candlelight concert featuring Christmas film music.
Sunday 20 December
Die Weihnachtsbäckerei - Das Musical
A turbulent Christmas musical about three siblings, Jonas, Paul, and Emily, and their dog Muffin, who embark on adventures to bake Christmas cookies. Recommended for ages four and up.
Family
Monday 21 December
Die Weihnachtsbäckerei - Das Musical
A turbulent Christmas musical about three siblings, Jonas, Paul, and Emily, and their dog Muffin, who embark on adventures to bake Christmas cookies. Recommended for ages four and up.
FamilySource: StubHub
Wednesday 23 December
Der Nussknacker - Ballett mit Orchester (International Festival Ballet)
A performance of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker ballet with an orchestra by the International Festival Ballet.
FamilySource: Ticketplatz
Thursday 24 December
Christmas Eve (Heiligabend) - Early Shop Closures
Christmas Eve is not a public holiday, but shops are generally permitted to open only until 14:00. Many businesses close early, and public entertainment may be restricted. Bakeries and florists might have special opening hours.
Friday 25 December
Dark Christmas Special!
A special party night on Christmas Day for fans of dark and rock music. Two floors offer different alternative music styles: medieval, rock, folk, and metal in the Tivoli-Floor, and gothic, wave, electro, industrial, postpunk, and classix in the Roadhouse-Floor.
Night outSource: Bremen.de
First Christmas Day - Public Holiday
A public holiday in Bremen. Most shops are closed, and public entertainment may be restricted. Restaurants and attractions may have special opening hours; it is advisable to check directly.
Saturday 26 December
Second Christmas Day (St. Stephen's Day) - Public Holiday
A public holiday in Bremen. Most shops are closed. Restaurants and attractions may have special opening hours; it is advisable to check directly.
All season
Bremer Weihnachtsmarkt
Experience the festive atmosphere of Bremen's traditional Christmas market. Stroll among numerous stalls offering culinary delights, crafts, and gift ideas. The market is set against the historical backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage Town Hall and the Bremen Town Musicians.
FamilyFreeSource: Bremen.de
Schlachte-Zauber
A historic, wintry, and maritime Christmas market along the Weser promenade, featuring medieval-themed stalls, craftspeople, and a variety of hot drinks and food. The promenade is bathed in blue light in the evenings, creating a magical atmosphere.
FamilyFreeSource: Bremen.de
Findorffer Winterdorf
An intimate winter village market focusing on fair trade and vegan options, offering mulled wine and snacks. It provides a cozy atmosphere away from the larger city center markets, without traditional craft stalls or Christmas music. Located by the Jan Reiners Park, it features eight self-built huts and a heated 'Old Train Pub'. The market runs until January 31, 2027.
FreeSource: Findorffer Winterdorf Official Website / Worpswede24
Christmas Lights in Bremen City Centre
The city center of Bremen, including areas from the Wall to the Weser, will be illuminated with festive Christmas lights. Famous streets to see the lights include the Marktplatz, Böttcherstraße, Schnoor, and Obernstraße.
FamilyFreeSource: Bremen.de
Schlittschuhspaß auf der Überseeinsel (Outdoor Ice Rink)
An outdoor ice rink for skating. Skate rental is available for 5€ (deposit required). The dates for the 2026/27 season are yet to be announced, but is expected to be open during the winter season.
FamilySource: Schlittschuhspaß Überseeinsel Official Website
Public Ice Skating at Eissporthalle Paradice
Enjoy public ice skating at Eissporthalle Paradice. Public sessions during the week are on Wednesdays from 19:00 to 20:00 (Halle 2) and Saturdays from 9:00 to 10:00 (Halle 1). The season starts October 31, 2026.
Family
Lichter der Neustadt
An alternative and uncommercial winter cultural festival focusing on local artists, sustainable products, and a diverse program. It features handcrafted stalls, live music, street theater, performances, and workshops. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 16:00-22:00, Sat 14:00-22:00, Sun 14:00-20:00.
Vegesacker Winterspaß
Enjoy a festive atmosphere in Vegesack's pedestrian zone with decorated huts, seasonal specialties, and an ice stock track. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12:00-21:30. Sunday hours are not explicitly stated but markets usually operate.
FamilyFreeSource: Bremen.de
Viertel Facade Projection with Concerts
A captivating facade projection will illuminate a building in Das Viertel, accompanied by small concerts on various days. The projection runs daily from 16:30 to 22:00.
Viertel Light Figures by Stelzen-Art
Enchanting light figures by Bremer Companie Stelzen-Art will parade and be visible throughout Das Viertel on two Advent Saturdays.
FamilyFreeSource: Das Viertel Official Website
Christmas Market Mug Deposit (Glühweinpfand)
When purchasing Glühwein or other hot beverages at Christmas markets in Bremen, a deposit (Pfand) of approximately 3-5€ is typically charged for the reusable mug. While the mug remains the property of the vendor, taking it as a souvenir is often tolerated, with the deposit covering its cost.
Bremer Klaben - Traditional Christmas Cake
Bremer Klaben is a traditional rich raisin bread, similar to Stollen, often enjoyed in winter and around Christmas, though available year-round. It is made with fresh butter, sultanas, candied peel, and a hint of wine and rum.
Grünkohl mit Pinkel - Traditional Winter Dish
Grünkohl mit Pinkel (kale with Pinkel sausage) is a traditional hearty winter dish in Bremen, often served with Kochwurst, Kassler (cured pork), bacon, and fried potatoes. It's a popular meal, especially during colder months and associated with 'Kohlfahrten' (kale tours).
Orchester im Viertel (Choir Singing)
The IGV, in cooperation with TSV Blau-Weiß Melchiorshausen, invites visitors to sing along at Ulrichsplatz. The program includes secular and sacred Christmas carols, as well as rock and pop music.
FamilyFreeSource: Das Viertel Official Website
Times and prices change, so check with the organiser before you go. Updated 26 Oct