Things to Do in Germany in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Germany
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Christmas markets are genuinely magical in December - not tourist fluff, but actual centuries-old traditions with handcrafted goods, glühwein (mulled wine), and roasted almonds. Markets in Nuremberg, Dresden, and Rothenburg run late November through December 23rd, with the best atmosphere happening weekday evenings around 6-8pm when locals actually shop there.
- Minimal daylight crowds at major attractions - with sunset around 4:15pm and most tourists deterred by cold, you'll get Munich's Residenz, Neuschwanstein Castle, and Berlin's museums practically to yourself on weekday mornings. The Pergamon Museum in Berlin, normally packed, has walk-in availability most December weekdays before 11am.
- Advent season brings cultural experiences you cannot replicate other months - church concerts featuring Bach cantatas, traditional Adventskaffee (coffee and stollen cake gatherings), and the four Sundays of Advent when Germans actually light candles and slow down. This is when you see how locals live, not the summer tourist version of Germany.
- Winter pricing on accommodations drops 30-40% compared to summer peak - a hotel in Munich's Altstadt that costs €200 in July runs €120-140 in early December (before Christmas week spike). Book by October for best rates, though you'll find decent last-minute deals too since business travel slows.
Considerations
- Daylight is genuinely limited - sunrise around 8am, sunset by 4:15pm means you're sightseeing in 8 hours of weak winter light. Outdoor attractions like castle exteriors and Rhine Valley views lose their impact in flat gray light. Plan indoor-heavy days and accept you'll be doing dinner in darkness.
- The cold is damp and penetrating, not crisp and refreshing - that 70% humidity at 1-6°C (34-43°F) feels colder than drier climates at the same temperature. Wind chill along the Rhine or in Berlin drops perceived temperature another 3-5°C (5-9°F). If you hate being cold, December Germany will test you daily.
- Many smaller towns and rural attractions operate on reduced winter schedules or close entirely - castle tours in Bavaria might run only 10am-3pm or weekends only, some Romantic Road villages have restaurants closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and hiking trails in the Black Forest become inaccessible. Always verify hours before traveling outside major cities.
Best Activities in December
Christmas Market Exploration in Historic Cities
December is the ONLY time to experience authentic Christkindlmarkt culture. Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt (late November through December 23rd) is the gold standard with 180+ stalls selling handcrafted ornaments, lebkuchen, and proper glühwein in ceramic mugs you return for a deposit. The atmosphere peaks on weekday evenings when locals shop after work, not weekend afternoons when tour groups dominate. Markets in Cologne, Dresden, and Rothenburg each have distinct character - Dresden's Striezelmarkt features the world's largest Christmas pyramid, while Rothenburg's medieval setting feels like stepping into a snow globe. Temperature hovers just above freezing, perfect for warming up with hot drinks between stalls.
Museum and Gallery Deep Dives
December's short daylight and frequent drizzle make this the ideal month for Berlin's Museum Island, Munich's Pinakothek museums, or Dresden's Zwinger Palace collections. You'll actually have space to contemplate art without summer crowds. The Pergamon Museum typically has 45-minute waits in July but walk-in availability most December mornings before 11am. Munich's Alte Pinakothek is nearly empty on rainy Tuesday afternoons. The low UV index and overcast skies mean you can spend 4-5 hours indoors without missing good weather - because there isn't any.
Rhine Valley Castle Tours and Wine Tasting
The Rhine Valley between Koblenz and Rüdesheim looks atmospheric in December fog and low clouds - yes, you lose the brilliant summer colors, but the medieval castles emerging from mist have a moody beauty summer tourists never see. River cruises still operate (check schedules, some reduce to weekends only) and you'll have Marksburg Castle or Rheinfels Castle tours with maybe 10 other people instead of 200. The wine taverns (Weinstuben) in towns like Bacharach or Boppard are cozier in winter, with locals gathering for Federweißer (young wine) and hearty food. That said, outdoor castle viewing in 3°C (37°F) drizzle requires serious layering.
Bavarian Alps Winter Hiking and Village Exploration
If you're prepared for cold, the Alps around Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Berchtesgaden, and Füssen offer stunning winter landscapes without summer's hiking crowds. Trails at lower elevations (below 1000m or 3,280 ft) usually remain accessible, though you'll need proper winter boots with grip. The Partnach Gorge near Garmisch is otherworldly with icicles and frozen waterfalls. Neuschwanstein Castle has its shortest queues of the year - book tours 2-3 days ahead instead of the 2-3 weeks required in summer. Alpine villages like Mittenwald or Oberammergau feel authentically Bavarian when not overrun with tour buses.
Traditional Beer Halls and Advent Concerts
December is when beer halls like Munich's Hofbräuhaus or Augustiner-Bräu shift from tourist attractions to actual local gathering spots. The atmosphere on cold December evenings - locals settling in for hours with Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle) and Maß (1-liter beer mugs) - shows you German social culture. Pair this with Advent concerts in historic churches: Bach cantatas in Leipzig's Thomaskirche, organ concerts in Cologne Cathedral, or Christmas oratorios in Dresden's Frauenkirche. These concerts happen throughout December, often free or €10-20, and offer cultural immersion beyond museums.
Thermal Spa Experiences in Baden-Baden and Bavaria
December's cold makes thermal baths incredibly appealing, and Germany has world-class spa culture. Baden-Baden's Friedrichsbad (built 1877) and Caracalla Therme offer Roman-Irish bathing rituals with thermal waters at 34-38°C (93-100°F) - perfect when outside temperature is barely above freezing. Bavaria's Therme Erding near Munich is Europe's largest spa complex. The contrast between cold air and hot mineral water, especially in outdoor pools with steam rising around you, is genuinely restorative after days of winter sightseeing. This is what Germans actually do in December to cope with dark, cold weather.
December Events & Festivals
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
Germany's most famous Christmas market, running from late November through December 23rd. The opening ceremony features the Christkind (traditionally a young woman in white and gold) delivering a prologue from the Frauenkirche balcony. Over 180 stalls sell handcrafted ornaments, Nuremberg lebkuchen, and glühwein. The atmosphere is genuinely special, though weekends get packed - visit Tuesday or Wednesday evenings for the best experience.
Dresden Striezelmarkt
Germany's oldest Christmas market, dating to 1434. Features the world's largest Christmas pyramid at 14.6m (48 ft) tall and the famous Dresden Stollen cake festival in early December where a giant stollen is paraded through the city and sliced for visitors. The market runs in Dresden's Altmarkt square with views of the Frauenkirche creating a stunning backdrop.
Advent Concert Season
Throughout December, churches across Germany host special Advent concerts. Leipzig's Thomaskirche (where Bach was cantor) performs his cantatas, Cologne Cathedral has organ concerts, and Dresden's Frauenkirche presents Christmas oratorios. These aren't tourist shows but actual German cultural traditions. Concerts happen most weekends and some weekday evenings, typically 6-8pm. Check individual church websites for schedules.