Adventure Medieval Market & Christmas Market
November 23 - December 21, 2023
Attention: Dead Sunday - 26 of november - whole day closed!
Experience the Esslingen Medieval Market & Christmas Market
Always shortly before the first Sunday of Advent, Esslingen transforms and reinvents itself. As if the city had been enchanted overnight. The Esslingen Medieval Market & Christmas Market begins with its 180 booths and approx. 500 cultural programme items.
The Esslingen Medieval Market
The people of the Medieval Market take possession of the city for four pre-Christmas weeks and take visitors on a journey through time
As many hundreds of years ago, merchants offer their wares for sale, craftsmen demonstrate their art. Smells of foreign food tempt the palate, medieval songs resound. Fire artists whirl their torches into the air and light up the night. Visitors can immerse themselves in the medieval hustle and bustle to become part of the unique Medieval Market - this is experienced history at first hand.
All around, the medieval half-timbered houses of the Old Town form a spectacular stage. The Middle Ages for all our senses - unique in the Stuttgart region. No wonder that visitors come in droves, from all over the world. Esslingen is never closer to its history than in the weeks before Christmas.
Cultural programme and artists
A special trademark of the Medieval Market is the daily cultural programme with renowned artists. Whether wild music or delicate sounds, stilt walkers, jugglers, fire magicians, acrobats, storytellers, minstrels and dancers: entertainment is well provided for here. And that daily on four stages at the Market Square, Town Hall Square, Hafenmarkt Square and in Dwarfland (at the Kleiner Mark Square).
Poster of the Esslingen Medieval and Christmas Market
The poster motif of the Esslingen Medieval Market & Christmas Market has now been a tradition for many years. As a symbol of the diverse market hustle and bustle that can be experienced here, the fire-breather is in the foreground. He inspires every visitor with his art. The colourful hidden-object picture shows many other scenes as they happen every day at the Market. Welcome to one of the most beautiful events at Christmas time!
Copyright: Michael Luz
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Our artists Bijan the Minstrel, Fleapit Theatre, Lidia - Lady of Sealand, Mercurius and Shlomo Goldstein provide unique entertainment.
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23.11.-25.11. Turas Math – historical world music 23.11.-07.12. Schmierenkomödianten - Fairy tales, comedies and fire spectacles 23.11.-28.11.
11.12.-17.12.Duo Spectaculatius - polyphonic singing and diverse instruments 25.11. + 01.12.
03.12.-04.12. 19.12.-20.12.Bagatelli - Power juggler with grace and precision 27.11.-30.11. Holger Funke - Master of the Nyckelharpa 28.11.-30.11.
12.12.-14.12.
19.12.-21.12.Mirimah - Dance at a high level, graceful and powerful 28.11.-30.11. Theatrum Diaboli - fascinating puppet theatre 29.11. -02.12. TiAnne - adorable duo 01.12.-03.12. Poeta Magica - Multifaceted Nordic World Folk Music 03.12.-10.12. Duo Usse Lamäng - entertaining musica 04.12.-10.12. Krless - virtuoso music from Prague 11.12.-17.12. Le Groupe Gabino mit Derwish - Impressive group from the South of France 12.12.-15.12. Zirkus Meer - fascinating rope acrobatics 15.12.-19.12. Max und Moritz - Jugglery and fire artistry 18.12.-21.12. Satolstelamanderfanz - Post-Gothic Ethnoswing and historical instruments 18.12.-21.12. TiAnne - adorable duo
The Esslingen Christmas Market
Not only the medieval enthusiasts get their money's worth, because the traditional Christmas Market with over 80 booths, a nostalgic carousel and a candle workshop has a wide range of handmade goods. Here you will find classic Christmas decorations, nativity figures, miniature clay houses for tealights, nostalgic toys, colourful felt hats, natural clothing, furs, jewellery and much more.
Songs on the Christmas Market
Esslingen's musical societies present themselves daily on the Christmas Market's cultural stage. Children's or trombone choirs delight the visitors with traditional Christmas songs and are happy to receive lots of applause.
The Advent Market - arts and crafts
Always on the Advent weekends
On the Advent Weekends, Nostalgia and decoration of a special kind can be found by the visitor in the Ritterstraße. More than 30 artisans offer a wide range of goods and show their treasures. Elks in pyjamas, fairy tales in felt, dwarfs at Christmas time or knitted necklaces - but also very traditional things made of felt, glass, wood or wool can be discovered.The Advent Markets are intended as a creative complement to the Esslingen Medieval Market & Christmas Market and are the paradise for all who are faced with the same tricky question every year: Since what's on offer varies a little every weekend, a visit is also worthwhile several times!
Directions
How to get to the Esslingen Medieval Market & Christmas Market.
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The S-Bahn (S1) and the regional train stop at Esslingen station. Travel time from Stuttgart main station is about 15 minutes. All buses go to the bus station, from where you can get to the market square in about 10 minutes on foot.
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Autobahn A8, exit Esslingen and primary road B10. In Esslingen, the parking control system will show you where there are free parking spaces. Under this link you will find a city map with car parks that are available. Two nearby parking garages can be found e.g. here as well as in the live teaser.
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Exit point: Kiesstraße near the university, approach via Vogelsang Bridge
Bus parking:
At the Old Town Ringroad: 'Kleiner Markt'/New Town Hall and Neckar Forum.
Mon. - Sun. in Mettinger Straße
Sat. + Sun. in Esslingen-Mettingen, Emil-Kessler-Str. 4, in the Daimler parking area.
Our sponsors
We thank all sponsors for their support of the Esslingen Medieval Market & Christmas Market!
Not only the financial, but also the immaterial support is essential for the qualitative development of the Market with its unique cultural programme.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our main sponsor, the Stadtwerke Esslingen and Mavo-Hospitality, as well as the "Wilder Hahn" Tavern.
