Christmas market in Constance
The scent of mulled wine on Lake Constance: that's what awaits you at the Christmas market in Constance, right on the shore.
Winter wonderland on Lake Constance
From the end of November until just before Christmas Eve, Constance's old town is transformed into a festive winter wonderland. The atmospheric Christmas market in the four-country region of Lake Constance was voted one of the top 10 most nostalgic Christmas markets in Germany by GEO magazine in 2023.
Getting to Constance from Switzerland is particularly convenient: trains run every half hour from Schaffhausen, Zurich via Weinfelden, or St. Gallen via Kreuzlingen. From Constance main station, it is only a few minutes' walk to the Christmas market. If you are arriving by car, you will find ample parking at the Bodenseeforum or the Döbele car park.
Interesting fact: You could combine a visit to the Christmas market with a day of shopping in Constance. This border town offers the perfect setting for finding new favorite items. Please note: With the Platinum Card and Gold Card from American Express, you can enjoy numerous benefits such as Purchase Protection Insurance and seasonal special offers.
Attractions at the Christmas market in Constance
The Christmas market in Constance has lots of special features to offer:
- Historic horse carousel: The restored carousel from 1897 with hand-carved figures delights the whole family. It's not just children's eyes that light up when they take a ride on this historic gem.
- Christmas elf village: The youngest visitors can romp around and discover lots of things in this Christmas play and adventure area.
- Christmas ship: On the festively decorated restaurant ship in the harbor, a restaurant awaits you on the middle deck, while a lounge and bar with DJ and drinks create a lively atmosphere on the open deck.
- Christbaumschänke: In the covered, two-story mulled wine bar with a view of Lake Constance, you will find the ideal place to enjoy the contemplative Advent season with a hot drink in pleasant company.
- Füxle Bar: This cozy hut spoils you with Demeter mulled wine and hot Black Forest gin. You will enjoy the best quality in an authentic atmosphere.
You can also browse through a wide range of arts and crafts from the four-country region of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. You will find Christmas decorations, candles, winter clothing, and original specialties at charmingly decorated stands.
Opening hours: The food and drink stalls at the Christmas market in Constance are open daily from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The market huts are open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 9:30 p.m.
Interesting fact: Constance is worth a visit at any time of year, not just at Christmas, for example for sightseeing and sports. It's best to book your trip with a credit card, such as the American Express Platinum Card, to benefit from attractive additional services on your trips.
Sustainability is a top priority
The Christmas market in Constance sets standards in terms of sustainability. Since 2024, the event has been certified as a "Green Event BW," with which the state of Baden-Württemberg honors events that are planned and implemented sustainably.
In addition, the Christmas market is now a "Green Destination" of the "Good Travel Program" – an award that recognizes consistent commitment to environmentally friendly event culture. Here are some features of the Christmas market in Constance:
- Regional added value: Almost all of the Christmas market's trading partners and catering businesses come from Constance and the surrounding area. The food and drinks are preferably sourced from regional organic production. Whether it's ox shredded beef from Höri, Swiss fondue sticks, or winter punch with juice from the Stahringer Streuobstmosterei.
- Reusable instead of disposable: Only reusable tableware is used for serving food. This significantly reduces the amount of waste.
- LED lighting and green electricity: All lighting at the Constance Christmas market has been converted to LED. In addition, 100 percent green electricity is used.
- Battery booster: A battery booster with a capacity of 150 kilowatt hours is used in the Stadtgarten to ensure the power supply during peak times. This is significantly more environmentally friendly than the previous diesel generator.
- Sustainable materials: The new huts are made from regional wood in the district of Constance. With oil-based paints.
- Climate-friendly travel: Traveling by train, bus, and boat is convenient. The ferry between Meersburg and Constance runs more frequently than usual during the Christmas market season. The catamaran runs hourly from Friedrichshafen and back, and there are additional evening trips.
Fundraiser at the Christmas market: doing good in Constance
Christmas is a time for charity. And the Christmas market by the lake is more than just a place for mulled wine and gifts—it is a place where solidarity is put into practice. Every year, it provides financial support to an association or charitable organization in Constance.
In 2025, the Christmas market vendors will support the Konstanzer Tafel food bank. Specifically, the donation will go toward the school bag campaign, which already provided 45 children from low-income families with new school bags last year.
Which credit card should you take with you on trips to places like Constance?
Your Christmas experience in Constance on Lake Constance
The Christmas market by the lake in Constance combines a festive atmosphere with sustainability and is a fixture in the four-country region. Its location right on Lake Constance with a view of the snow-covered Alps is wonderful. The diverse range of offerings—from regional arts and crafts to vegetarian and vegan specialties to a historic horse carousel—appeals to all age groups.
At the Christmas market in Constance, you can stroll, discover, enjoy – and do good at the same time. And with the Platinum Card from American Express, you'll receive first-class benefits on this city break, as on all your travels, for example in hotels and in the form of travel insurance.
Frequently asked questions and answers
The Christmas market by the lake is open daily from November 27 to December 23, 2025.
From Konstanz train station, which is served every half hour from Switzerland (Zurich, Schaffhausen, St. Gallen, Kreuzlingen), it is only a few minutes' walk to the market. From eastern Switzerland, we recommend the OSTWIND day ticket from the Hegau-Bodensee Transport Association (VHB). It is also possible to travel by boat.
Yes, parking spaces are available at the Bodenseeforum (P&R with bus connection), at the Döbele car park, in the LAGO car park and at Klein Venedig in the Hafenstrasse car park.
