For more than twenty years, the residents of Gengenbach have counted down the days until Christmas with what is said to be the world’s largest advent calendar. Every evening at 6pm, in the heart of the town’s Christmas market, one of the 24 windows on the ornate façade of Gengenbach’s 200-year-old town hall is ceremonially opened to reveal an illuminated work by an internationally-renowned artist. It’s no small affair: previous calendars have been contributed by Andy Warhol and Marc Chagall. This year’s windows, on the theme of paradise, are by German illustrator Olaf Hajek, who has created artwork for everyone from YSL and Gucci to Nike and Apple.
The Christmas market on the town square has 58 stalls with specialties from the Black Forest, Christmas decorations and gifts, German and regional food specialties and of course glühwein!
Gengenbach is in the Black Forest region, known for its picturesque landscapes, dense forests, and traditional villages. Gengenbach’s historic town centre is the perfect setting for a magical Christmas market with its narrow cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and medieval structures.
The Gengenbach Advent Market was selected as one of the best Christmas markets in Germany in 2024. Read the article here!
2024 Dates
30 November – 23 December
Opening hours on market days
Monday: 2pm – 8pm
Tuesday: 2pm – 8pm
Wednesday: 2pm – 8pm
Thursday: 2pm – 8pm
Friday: 2pm – 8pm
Saturday: 12pm – 8pm
Sunday: 12pm – 8pm
Gengenbach Advent Market window opening every day at 6pm
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