Regensburg Christmas markets 2026: dates

Regensburg is a good Advent city because it has two very different large markets within walking distance of each other: one on a square in the medieval old town, and one in the courtyards of a palace. The short answer for 2026: the Christkindlmarkt on Neupfarrplatz runs from Monday 23 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026, and the Romantic Christmas Market at Thurn und Taxis Palace from Friday 20 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026.

Regensburg Christmas markets 2026: dates

The Neupfarrplatz dates come from the City of Regensburg, the palace dates from Schloss Thurn und Taxis (see sources), as of 4 November 2026. Neither page we opened gives opening hours, so we do not quote any. The city lists the smaller markets on its overview page; check each one's own site for dates.

Both large markets last about a month, a little longer than Nuremberg and a little shorter than Munich:

Season: calendar days from the first to the last day.

The two large markets

Christkindlmarkt on Neupfarrplatz. According to the city, this is the oldest Christmas market in Regensburg: for more than 200 years, decorated stalls have surrounded the Protestant Neupfarrkirche in the middle of the square. It stands right in the old town, surrounded by shops and cafés, and you can simply walk through it on your way across the centre.

Romantic Christmas Market at the palace. This market takes place in the courtyards of Schloss St Emmeram, the residence of the princely Thurn und Taxis family, and the city describes it as a market with traditional crafts being practised. It feels like a separate world from the square. From 20 November to 23 December, palace tours from Monday to Friday are available only to market visitors, with tickets from the Thurn und Taxis Christmas shop in the passage to the large inner courtyard; there are no tours on 22 November. Check the palace site for admission to the market itself.

Smaller markets. The Lucrezia market on Haidplatz and Kohlenmarkt has been the market of Regensburg's craftspeople since 1982. The Spitalgarten market at St Katharinenspital lies at the foot of the Stone Bridge, with a view of the cathedral. The Weihnachtszauber on Bismarckplatz sells goods from social projects.

How to see the markets in one day

• Afternoon: walk through the old town to the Stone Bridge and the cathedral while it is still light.
• Late afternoon: go on to Thurn und Taxis Palace, south of the old town, and see the market as it gets dark.
• Evening: return to Neupfarrplatz for a last hot drink.

Weekdays are generally calmer than weekends, and Saturdays in December are usually the busiest.

Getting there

Regensburg has a main station on the rail line between Nuremberg and the Danube valley; compare train connections to Regensburg^* on Omio. From the station you can walk to both the palace and the old town. Regensburg has no commercial airport of its own, so the flight box below shows Nuremberg, from where you continue by train.

Where to stay

The old town between the cathedral, Haidplatz and Neupfarrplatz puts you close to almost everything. The area around the main station is practical for arrivals and close to the palace market. Stadtamhof, across the Stone Bridge, is quieter in the evening. For Advent weekends, book early.

More than the market: a day in Regensburg

The medieval old town and Stadtamhof are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cross the 12th-century Stone Bridge over the Danube, look up at St Peter's Cathedral and try the sausages at the old Wurstkuchl by the river. You can search for tickets and tours in Regensburg^* on Tiqets.

Weather in December

Regensburg is cold in December: on average about 4.8 °C by day and -0.7 °C at night, with 64 mm of rain and snow over the month (ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2015–2024). Nights are usually around freezing, so warm shoes, gloves and a hat are worth bringing.

Germany is in the EU, so EU mobile plans work without extra roaming charges. If you are travelling from outside the EU, a travel eSIM for Germany^* (Airalo) is usually cheaper than roaming.

How YesTrip helps

In YesTrip the AI day plan puts the markets, the Stone Bridge and the cathedral into a walking order on a map. It shows the forecast for your travel days, and the packing list suggests matching clothes. Share the trip with friends and keep track of shared expenses.

If you want a second market on the same trip, the Nuremberg Christmas market 2026 and the Munich Christmas markets 2026 are nearby classics, and the Salzburg Christmas market 2026 is another option further south. Our guide to the best Christmas markets in Europe compares twelve cities.

Munich trip planDay by day, with map and tips

* Ad – Partner link: if you book there, we earn a commission. Your price stays the same.