You have to see this! Christmas Markets in the Black Forest

news article Christmas Markets in the Black Forest -
A Touch of Magic in the Wintertime Black Forest

The scent of mulled wine in the winter air, strings of lights among the fir tree tops, wood carvings, and Black Forest specialties—a Christmas market in the Black Forest has a magic all its own.


Anyone traveling through the region during Advent will discover a wide variety of settings. Whether it’s the enchantingly lit Ravennaschlucht Gorge, the festive Old Town of Freiburg, the festively decorated cathedral in St. Blasien, or the Advent magic right on the waterfront in Titisee: the region’s most beautiful Christmas markets are just a short distance away. 

The winter market in Schluchsee is also easily accessible from the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten am Schluchsee and invites you to enjoy an atmospheric outing during the pre-Christmas season. Afterward, the soothing tranquility of the Upper Black Forest awaits.

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Germany's Most Extraordinary Christmas Market The Ravennaschlucht Christmas Market

Nestled amid the wintry landscape near Breitnau lies one of the most famous Christmas markets in the Black Forest: the Christmas market in the Ravenna Gorge. Its unique setting is created by the steep, forested slopes of the Höllental Valley, fir forests, fire pits, and the illuminated Ravenna Viaduct, which stands about 40 meters tall. Spread out beneath the nine arches of the historic viaduct are market stalls offering regional handicrafts, Black Forest specialties, and local products.

The Höllentalbahn railway also adds to the special experience. It runs across the Ravenna Viaduct directly above the market, connecting the railway line with the festive scenery. It is precisely this interplay of the train, the viaduct, and the gorge that makes the market so unique.

In 2026, the Christmas market will take place from November 26 through December 20. It is open on Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Visitors must have a ticket booked online in advance; advance ticket sales begin on October 14, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Shuttle buses are available from Hinterzarten, Titisee, and Himmelreich, among other locations. Visitors can also drive their own cars or hike to the market.

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From the hotel to the magic of Advent in the Black Forest The Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten as a base for Advent

If you’d like to visit several Christmas markets in the Black Forest, you can use the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten on Schluchsee as a base for your Advent excursions. From here, various destinations are easily accessible. The Ravennaschlucht is about 30 minutes away, Titisee is about 15 minutes away, and Freiburg is about 45 minutes away by car. The Schluchsee Winter Market is held right next to the hotel and, with its festive atmosphere, offers a special winter experience.

Once you return to the hotel, the Advent spirit lingers. Christmas decorations, an Advent dinner, and a warm atmosphere provide the perfect setting to unwind after a cold day outdoors. The 4,000 m² wellness area is particularly inviting. After hours spent among market stalls, crowds, and wintry temperatures, you can wind down the day in warmth and tranquility.

The hotel also offers a convenient culinary complement to a stroll through the market. With regionally inspired Black Forest cuisine and half-board, dinner is already taken care of. This eliminates the need to search for a restaurant when your feet are tired after a long Advent evening. Instead, you head back to the hotel, where a warm meal and, afterward, the wellness area await guests.


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Vier Jahreszeiten am Schluchsee im Winter

New offer! The Most Beautiful Christmas Markets
in the Black Forest

  1. Freiburg Christmas Market: One of the region’s most famous Christmas markets is located about 45 minutes from the hotel. Numerous stalls offering traditional handicrafts, regional products, and culinary specialties are scattered throughout the historic old town. With more than 140 stalls and various market locations around Freiburg’s old town, the Christmas market offers plenty of variety and invites you to stroll, enjoy, and discover. The scent of pine, candlelight, and the festively lit city center create a particularly magical atmosphere. Freiburg is also easily accessible by train, making it ideal for a pre-Christmas outing without a car.

    Hours: Nov. 19–Dec. 23 Weekdays 10:00 a.m.–8:30 p.m. and Sundays 11:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.; on Nov. 19 from 2:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.; closed on Nov. 22; on Dec. 23 from 10:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.

  2. Schluchsee Winter Market: Even after the Christmas holidays, the Upper Black Forest remains full of festive spirit. From December 28 to 30, 2026, the winter market on Kirchplatz in Schluchsee invites you to enjoy a cozy visit. Lovingly decorated huts, culinary delights, arts and crafts, and regional products create a special atmosphere during the days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The illuminated town center and the festively decorated wooden huts create a cozy backdrop for the days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. In addition to regional products and handicrafts, there are various culinary offerings as well as live music. This makes the winter market a wonderful destination for a day trip to the Upper Black Forest even after the Christmas holidays.

    Hours: December 28–30, daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

  3. St. Blasien am Dom Christmas Market: St. Blasien is also a great destination for a day trip. The Christmas market takes place against the impressive backdrop of the striking St. Blasien Cathedral, and its festively decorated stalls create a special pre-Christmas atmosphere. Handicrafts, Christmas decorations, wooden goods, and regional delicacies make the market a diverse destination for an Advent outing. The cathedral’s illuminated dome is particularly worth seeing, providing an extraordinary backdrop for the Christmas market.

    Hours: December 4–20, Fridays 4:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., Saturdays 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., Sundays 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

  4. Christmas Village at the Vogtsbauernhof: The Christmas Village at the Vogtsbauernhof Black Forest Open-Air Museum offers a unique blend of Christmas spirit and Black Forest tradition. Against the artfully lit backdrop of historic Black Forest farmhouses, local exhibitors showcase traditional crafts and regional products. The historic setting makes the Christmas market a special experience and sets it apart from traditional Christmas markets in the cities. A visit can be wonderfully combined with a trip to Gutach and offers the opportunity to experience regional craftsmanship and the special atmosphere of the Black Forest.

    Hours: Dec. 11 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Dec. 12 from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Dec. 13 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

  5. The Schönwald Christmas Market: Considered Germany’s highest-altitude Christmas market, it transforms Schönwald into an atmospheric gathering place in the Upper Black Forest at the end of November. Around the village square and the Uhrmacher-Ketterer Hall, visitors can expect more than 40 festively decorated stalls offering regional specialties, arts and crafts, and lovingly crafted decorations. A varied program featuring a children’s choir, the spa band, and alphorn players creates a special Christmas atmosphere. Families will also find plenty to enjoy, with face painting, a Christmas story, Christmas postcards, and visits from St. Nicholas and Knecht Ruprecht.

    Hours: November 27 from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

  6. An atmospheric Advent route through the Black Forest leads from Freiburg via Schönwald and St. Blasien to the Ravennaschlucht Gorge and the Vogtsbauernhof. Those who want to enjoy the winter atmosphere even after the holidays can combine their visit with a detour to the winter market in Schluchsee. Each market delights visitors with its own unique character and can be wonderfully combined with relaxation and indulgence at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten.

Ein prachtvoll mit dickem Neuschnee beladener Nadelbaum vor blauem Winterhimmel.

Winter moments to unwind, warm up, and enjoy Advent Spirit 
in the Upper Black Forest

A Christmas market in the Black Forest can be wonderfully combined with other winter experiences. Around Schluchsee, the Advent spirit begins even beyond the festively lit market stalls: On a winter hike through snow-covered forests or along Schluchsee, everything becomes very peaceful. Amid fir trees, snow, and crisp winter air, the Upper Black Forest reveals its most idyllic side.

Those who prefer to stay active in winter will find plenty of options at an elevation of around 1,000 meters. Sledding, snow walks, and other winter activities provide a chance to get some exercise in the fresh air. When conditions are right, you can also experience the winter landscape while ice skating. This makes it easy to combine a trip to a Christmas market in the Black Forest with an active winter day.

Afterward, it’s time for warmth and relaxation. At the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten on Schluchsee, the 4,000 m² wellness area offers the perfect retreat after a day in the cold. While there may be snow outside, pleasantly warm water awaits in the outdoor pool. The sauna area and relaxation zones turn a winter day into a soothing break.

And when it comes to cuisine, Advent is an integral part of the Black Forest experience: hot punch, Black Forest specialties, and a cozy fireplace atmosphere ensure moments of comfort. A special winter treat is the raclette at the Schwiizer Stübli. In an atmospheric setting, winter delights are celebrated here in true Swiss style—the perfect way to enjoyably round off an eventful day.

Schwiizer Stübli

 

 

Zwei Frauen schmücken gemeinsam lachend einen Weihnachtsbaum mit silbernen Kugeln.
Stimmungsvolles Porträt einer Frau beim Ausruhen in der sanft beleuchteten Sauna des Hotels.

FAQs for the Winter Season Frequently Asked Questions About the Advent Season in the Black Forest

  1. The Christmas market in the Ravennaschlucht is one of the most popular Christmas markets in all of Germany. The illuminated Ravennaviaduct and the wintry gorge create a very special atmosphere.

  2. Yes. You must book a ticket online in advance to attend the Christmas market in the Ravennaschlucht. Advance ticket sales for 2026 begin on October 14 at 10 a.m.: https://www.hochschwarzwald.de/weihnachtsmarkt-ravennaschlucht/tickets

     

  3. The Ravenna Gorge is about a 30-minute drive from the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten on Schluchsee. Shuttle buses also run to the Christmas market from Titisee or Hinterzarten.

  4. Parking tickets can only be purchased online in advance. Public parking spaces are limited and some may require a fee. We recommend taking the shuttle. You can book your shuttle ticket online along with your admission ticket.

  5. The winter market in Schluchsee is located right near the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten. 

    The Christmas market in Titisee is also about a 15-minute drive away.

  6. Yes, there are several Christmas markets that are easy to visit from Schluchsee. These include, among others, the markets in Titisee, the Ravennaschlucht, Freiburg, and St. Blasien.

  7. A special highlight in winter is the raclette at the Schwiizer Stübli. Here, you can enjoy a delightful evening in a cozy atmosphere—perfect after a winter walk or a visit to the Christmas market.

photo gallery Impressions from the hotel

  • Winterlicher Wald der sich im See spiegelt
  • Die schneebedeckte Schutzhütte Amalienruhe direkt am Ufer des Schluchsees im Winter.
  • Ein Kind fährt mit einem Schlitten durch eine tief verschneite Winterlandschaft im Wald.
  • Zwei Gäste stoßen mit Sektgläsern in einer schäumenden Kupferwanne im Wellnessbereich des Hotels Vier Jahreszeiten an.
  • Ein liebevoll verziertes Lebkuchenhaus steht als Dekoration vor einem geschmückten Weihnachtsbaum.