During the Christmas season, the marketplace at Maximiliansplatz in Bamberg's pedestrian zone is filled with pre-Christmas magic. In the heart of the Old Town with its illuminated and decorated shops and streets, the irresistible aroma of grilled bratwurst, roasted almonds, mulled wine and lebkuchen fills the air. Toys and baubles hang from the market stands, selling Christmas fare, hand-crafted gifts, decorations and much more. At the end of the market lanes, the large nativity scene dominates the square, comprising a Franconian half-timbered house which depicts different scenes as the weeks progress.
Good to know: Free public transport for your Christmas shopping spree
On the Saturdays of Advent 2025, public transport can be used free of charge. No tickets are required on November 29, 2025, as well as on December 6, 13, and 20, 2025. Those arriving in Bamberg by car can use the Bamberg public transport company's Park & Ride service at Heinrichsdamm and Kronacher Straße for 50 cents all day on the Saturdays of Advent. A free shuttle runs to the city center every 15 minutes. In the evenings, the facilities are served by night bus lines 936 and 935. These can also be used free of charge on the Saturdays of Advent.
