Winter & Christmas markets on Lake Constance

Lindau Harbor Christmas  | © Frederick Sams

Limitless christmas at Lake Constance

Bodensee Region is a quintessential summer holiday, but for those who appreciate the winter season, this is one of the best times to visit for value and activities.

For all those who love the frosty season, now is the perfect time to visit: look forward to a magical winter adventure and attractive deals! Christmas markets along the shore, on islands, amidst snowy mountain peaks or in baroque castles enchant visitors. And it's not just the scent of mulled wine and cinnamon, but also the Christmas ships that sail across the wintry lake and connect the Christmas markets with each other. And Christmas arrangements round off a winter vacation in the four-country region in style. Discover Christmas traditions, customs and culinary delights from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Christmas is a special time for enjoyment ...

… on that we can all agree. As spiced mulled wine fills the crisp air, the village people are busy cooking and baking your favorite holiday treats.

And despite the close proximity of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein to each other, each country is proud of their own traditional Christmas specialties, so it’s a good idea to visit as many holiday markets and festivities as you can!

Kässpätzle, Kässpatzn, Käsknöpfle, Chäschnöpfli ...
they all mean the same thing … more Cheese Dumplings, please! The delicious dish made from flour, fresh eggs, herbs and cheese has a different name on almost every Christmas market on Lake Constance.

Why is that? Well, Cheese Spaetzle is not just cheese spaetzle! In each country, this typical dish is prepared a bit differently: In Liechtenstein, the Käsknöpfle are served with fresh applesauce. In Switzerland and Austria, a blend of three or four mountain cheeses plays an important role in this recipe topped with crispy onions. And the German side is particularly proud of their Swabian spaetzle. Order up and dig in!

Specialities Everyone Must Try!

  • Germany: Schupfnudeln (finger-shaped potato dumplings), Dinnele (thin-crust flatbreads with different savory toppings) and Winzerglühwein (hot mulled wine)
     
  • Austria: Heiße Maroni (hot, roasted chestnuts served streetside in a paper cone), Käseknödel (a soft cheese dumpling), Glühmost (a delicious hot apple cider drink) and Riebel (this dish is comfort food to the core, served as a savory or sweet polenta dish that’s also vegetarian)
     
  • Switzerland: Biber from St. Gallen (gingerbread treats made from honey and filled with marzipan), Raclette and Fondue, Nusstorte (nut cake, looking more like a pie with a dense nutty filling and a buttery, flaky crust) and Glühbier „Heißer Schütz“  (from St. Gallen is hot spiced beer)
     
  • The Principality of Liechtenstein: Käsknöpfle mit Apfelmus (cheese dumplings with apple sauce), Ribel (a warm polenta dish with milk, cream, sugar or also made with sour cheese) and Tatsch mit Kompott (mini pancakes served with warm fruit)

Magical Christmas markets and events on Lake Constance

If you are looking for a special destination for your Christmas market visit, then Lake Constance is the perfect choice. Here you will find more Christmas markets in one region than anywhere else! With 273 kilometers of shoreline and four countries, Lake Constance offers more than enough opportunities for Christmas, Advent and Christmas markets. These markets are among the most beautiful Christmas markets on Lake Constance and should definitely be visited.

Christmas market by the lake Constance Konzil forecourt | © Dagmar Schwelle

Lakeside Christmas Market

28. November until 23. December

With its glittering lights, the Christmas market in Constance invites you to take a leisurely stroll and becomes a second living room for locals and guests alike in the run-up to Christmas. A magical...

Lindau Harbor Christmas  | © Frederick Sams

Lindau Harbor Christmas

28. November until 22. December

Snow-capped Alpine peaks in the background, the lake in front of you, reflecting sparkling lights, a fairytale forest on the waterfront: Lindau Harbour Christmas is special in many ways and is one of...

St. Gallen – The City of Stars

28. November 2024 until 06. January 2025

Every year during Advent, the city of St.Gallen is transformed into a sea of almost 700 stars. They bathe St.Gallen's old town and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Abbey District in a magical...

Lake Constance Christmas in Friedrichshafen

Lake Constance Christmas Friedrichshafen

29. November until 22. December

Special features include the large decorated Christmas tree, the life-size nativity scene, the mulled wine pyramid and a great stage program. There is also a varied children's program in the...

The street lights up in Engen

30. November until 01. December

The Advent highlight in Hegau Engen stores and over 100 stalls offer an attractive range of products. Many gift ideas await visitors. Music groups and choirs set the mood for the pre-Christmas season...

Märlistadt Stein am Rhein | © Schaffhauserland Tourismus / Melanie Duchene

Märlistadt Stein am Rhein

04. December 2024 until 05. January 2025

Countless lights and small, cozily illuminated market houses in the old town and in the St. Georgen monastery transform Stein am Rhein into a winter fairy tale.

Hüttenzauber Singen

Christmas market Singen

05. December until 23. December

A cosy, pre-Christmas mulled wine garden in the middle of the catering area in the centre of Rathausplatz will once again serve as the central element of the Singen Christmas Market this year. There...

Radolfzeller Christkindlemarkt | © TSR GmbH Kuhnle+Knoedler

Radolfzell Christmas market

05. December until 08. December

Far from commercialism, authentic and regional, the four-day market offers an atmospheric ambience and a diverse, high-quality range of products. Younger visitors particularly enjoy taking a spin on...

Christmas lights market Markdorf

06. December until 08. December

Church concert with emotional goosebump moments and a Christmas market of lights that bathes the market square in Markdorf in a sea of lights.

Überlingen Christmas market

12. December until 22. December

A contemplative, pre-Christmas atmosphere prevails at the Überlingen Christmas market. Lovingly decorated wooden stalls, Christmas music, craft activities including a Christmas post office and much...

Winterfestival Meersburg | © Philipp Uricher

Meersburg Winter Festival

28. December until 30. December

At the Meersburg Winter Festival, visitors can enjoy a wide range of dishes from food trucks and atmospheric concerts on the winter-decorated Schlossplatz.

Winter magic on Mainau Island

Experience the winter season on Mainau Island: stroll through the wintry park, enjoy the tropical butterfly house and be enchanted by the sparkling sea of lights in the Christmas Garden in the...

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Selected Christmas ships on Lake Constance

Experience the festive magic of Lake Constance on the Christmas ships! Whether on an atmospheric round trip, a cozy Advent cruise or in an exclusive pop-up restaurant on board - every cruise is an unforgettable winter experience. Treat yourself to a break from the hustle and bustle and enjoy the festively decorated ships, the glittering water and the special atmosphere on wintry Lake Constance. A must for every visitor to the lake during the Christmas season!

Katamaran | © Michael Häfner

Catamaran to Christmas Markets

Catamaran is also on the lake every day in winter. It takes its passengers to Christmas shopping and the Christmas markets in just 52 minutes.

Ahlan Habibi Pop-Up-Schiffrestaurant Schaffhausen

Pop-up ship restaurant Ahlan Habibi

08. November 2024 until 14. March 2025

A fairytale experience on the floating restaurant on the Schifflände in Schaffhausen. Here you can immerse yourself in the oriental world and enjoy Levantine cuisine.

Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe | © Björn Jansen

Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe

Experience the wintry magic of Lake Constance during the Advent season. Our boat trips offer the perfect opportunity to escape the pre-Christmas hustle and bustle and still enjoy the festive...

Christmas and New Year's Eve cruises on the art deco motor ship Oesterreich

Experience the magic of the winter landscape and the twinkling lights along the shores of Lake Constance on board the stylish motor ship Oesterreich. Whether with family, friends or colleagues -...

Suitable offers

Enjoy festive Christmas specials in regional hotels that will make your winter vacation dreams come true. And with the Bodensee Card PLUS - the all-inclusive ticket for your winter vacation on Lake Constance - your vacation will be even more relaxing.

Christmas vacation with HO HO HO

3 nights from 410.00 € per person
Konstanz Weihnachtsmarkt

WinterSeeLeuchten

01. October 2024 until 31. March 2025

During the cozy season, a special magic lies over the largest city on Lake Constance. Winter city tours, hotel packages and Christmas specials invite you to take a relaxing break.

Gourmet Advent on Lake Constance

2 nights from 221.00 € per person

An overview of the Christmas highlights

Around Lake Constance, visitors will find Christmas experiences in the smallest of spaces and at the highest level: events right on the lake, in historic old towns with special lighting, in baroque castles or on exclusive Christmas ships. Mulled wine, almonds and traditional Christmas specialties are now on the agenda and one winter highlight follows the next. 

Which Christmas markets are taking place this year? Here is a comprehensive overview of the 2024 Christmas markets around Lake Constance.

Christmas markets & winter experiences 2024

15.11. - 23.12.2024

Bregenz Christmas Market (AT)

15.11. - 23.12.2024

Christmas in the Upper Town, Bregenz (AT)

19.11.–06.01.2025

Winter magic with Christmas Garden Mainau Island (DE)

22.11.–23.11.2024

Blosengelmarkt Feldkirch (AT)

22.11. - 23.12.2024

Dornbirner Christkindlemarkt (AT)

22.11. - 24.11.2024

Medieval Christmas Market Schloss Laufen (CH)

22.11. - 26.12.2024

Magic forest Hohenems (AT)

23.11.2024

Chlausmarkt Hüttwilen (CH)

23.11. - 24.11.2024

Christmas Market Tobel-Tägerschen (CH)

26.11.2024

Wittenbacher Christmas Market (CH)

28.11. - 22.12.2024

Lindau Harbor Christmas (DE) 

28.11. - 23.12.2024

Christmas market by the lake Constance (DE)

28.11. - 23.12.2024

St. Gallen – The City of Stars (CH)

28.11. - 24.12.2024

St. Gallener Christmas Market (CH)

29.11. - 30.11.2024

Kressbronner Christmas Market (DE) 

29.11. - 30.11.2024

Meersburger Christmas Market (DE)

29.11. - 01.12.2024

Advent Market Bischoffszell (CH)

29.11. - 01.12.2024

Christmas in the castle, Tettnang (DE) 

29.11. - 22.12.2024

Lake Constance Christmas, Friedrichshafen (DE) 

29.11. - 24.12.2024

Christmas town Feldkirch (AT)

30.11.2024

Allensbacher Christimas Market (DE)

30.11.2024

Christimas Market Öhningen-Wangen (DE)

30.11.2024

Advent Market Neunkirch (CH)

30.11.2024

Christkindlimarkt St.Gallen (CH)

30.11. - 01.12.2024

Advent Market Neuhausen (CH)

30.11. - 01.12.2024

Adventszauber am alten Torkel Hagnau (DE)

30.11.–01.12.2024

Salemer Christmas Market (DE)

30.11. - 01.12.2024

Weihnachtsmarkt Engen (DE)

30.11. - 01.12.2024

Chlausmarkt Romanshorn (CH)

30.11.2024

Christmas and craft market Stettfurt (CH) 

30.11.2024

Advent Market  Wasserburg (DE) 

30.11.2024

Nikolausmarkt Deggenhausertal (DE)

30.11.2024

Christkindlemarkt Arbon (CH)
30.11.2024 Winter open-air cinema in the museum garden in Überlingen (DE)

 

 

01.12.2024

Christmas market  Eigeltingen-Heudorf (DE)

01.12.2024

Klosemarkt Aach (DE)

01.12.2024

Balgacher Christmas Market (CH)

01.12.2024

Christmas Market im Kloster Fischingen (CH)

04.12. - 05.01.2025

Märlistadt Stein a. Rhein (CH)

05.12. - 08.12.2024

Radolfzeller Christmas Market (DE)

 

05.12. - 23.12.2024

Christmas Market Singen (DE)

06.12. - 08.12.2024

Christmas market with lights Markdorf (DE)

06.12.–08.12.2024

Christmas in the castle, Tettnang (DE) 

06.12.–08.12.2024 Christmas Market Wil (CH)

06.12. - 09.12.2024

Medieval Christmas market in the castle courtyard, Markdorf (DE) 

07.12.2024

Christmas Market Gaienhofen (DE)

07.12.2024

Christmas Market Thayngen (CH)

07.12.2024

Amriswiler Christmas Market (CH)

07.12. - 08.12.2024

Schaffhauser Christmas Market (CH)

07.12. - 08.12.2024

Vaduzer Christmas Market (FL) 

07.12. - 08.12.2024

Christmas Market Weinfelden (CH)

08.12.2024

Castle Christmas Tengen (DE)

08.12.2024

Arts and crafts market Bermatingen (DE)

08.12.2024

Christmas and Advent Market Heiligenberg (DE)

10.12.2024

Christmas Market Schönholzerswilen (CH)

12.12.2024

Advent Market  Sulgen (CH)

12.12.2024

Klausmarkt Altstätten (CH)

12.12. - 15.12.2024

Christmas tent Kreuzlingen (CH)

12.12. - 22.12.2024

Überlinger Christmas Market (DE)

13.12.–14.12.2024

Advent Market Weinfelden (CH)

13.12. - 15.12.2024

Medieval Market Stein am Rhein (CH)

14.12. - 15.12.2024

Moos Harbor Christmas Market (DE)

14.12. - 15.12.2024

Chrischchindlimärkt Schlaate (CH)

14.12.2024

Aadorfer Christmas Market (CH)

14.12.2024

Christmas Market Schloss Herdern (CH)

15.12.2024

Christmas Market Hilzingen-Riedheim (DE)

15.12.2024

Christkindlesmarkt Bermatingen (DE)

20.12. - 22.12.2024

Christmas Market Frauenfeld (CH)

21.12.2024

Christmas Magic Malbun (FL)

28.12.–30.12.2024

Winter-Festival Meersburg (DE)

 

Christmas ships

08.11.2024 - 14.03.2025 Pop-up Schiffsrestaurant Ahlan Habibi (CH)

28.11.–23.12.2024

Advent shuttle catamaran: more trips, longer in the evening
evening, from Friedrichshafen and Constance

29.11. - 22.12.2024 Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe : Winter cruise, Advent cruise with coffee & cake, pleasure cruise in winter with Advent breakfast | from the port of Constance or Lindau
29.11.–31.12.2024 Christmas and New Year's Eve cruises on the art deco motor ship Oesterreich
29.11. - 22.12.2024 Christmas ship Bregenz (AT) - Lindau (DE) - Vorarlberg Lines

The details of the events are without guarantee

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