Merano Christmas Market 2026: dates, opening hours and getting there

The market is open from 26 November 2026 to 6 January 2027. The opening ceremony is on 26 November at 5 pm, and the events programme is added to the official website as the season goes on.

The market is closed on Christmas Day, 25 December.

The market opens on 26 November at 5 pm.

Craft and product stalls

• Monday to Thursday and Sunday: 10 am–7 pm
• Friday, Saturday and public holidays (26 December and 1 January): 10 am–8 pm
• 6 and 7 December: 10 am–8 pm
• 24 and 31 December: 10 am–3:30 pm
• 25 December: closed
• 6 January: 10 am–6 pm

Food and drink stalls

• Monday to Thursday and Sunday: 10 am–9 pm
• Friday, Saturday and public holidays (26 December and 1 January): 10 am–10:30 pm
• 6 and 7 December: until 10:30 pm
• 24 and 31 December: 10 am–5 pm
• 25 December: closed
• 6 January: 10 am–6 pm

Some food stalls stay open later on New Year’s Eve; the organisers will name them nearer the time. Check the official page before you go.

The market follows the river. It starts on the Passer promenade (Kurpromenade) and the Winter Promenade and reaches Piazza Terme, Piazza della Rena, Piazza Duomo and Piazza del Grano. Along the promenade, the Art Nouveau Kurhaus is the backdrop.

• Piazza della Rena: the Christmas hut village, with a large chalet, more wooden huts, workshops and guided tastings of organic gin and chocolate.
• Piazza Terme: across the river, in front of the thermal baths. There is an ice rink, a Sky Bar on the roof of the Christmas pavilion and the oversized “Weihnachtskugln” Christmas baubles in six colours, where you can have lunch or dinner à la carte (book through the Terme Merano website).
• Along the promenade: mulled wine stalls, regional specialities, gift ideas and traditional crafts.

Around 80 exhibitors take part. At the Solidarity Hut, charities sell handmade crafts and decorations.

• The Merano Tourist Board’s Advent calendar, made with 58chocolate: 24 handmade chocolates for €25, sold at the Tourist Board’s Infopoint and at 58chocolate in Merano.
• Handmade Swiss stone pine lanterns, sold at the info hut.
• Headbands and caps in recycled merino wool.
• Warm dishes by Michelin-starred chef Egon Heiss at the chalet on Piazza della Rena, with fine dining in the evening.

There is also a daily programme of concerts, activities for children, local traditions and crafts. The Merano Tourist Board publishes the latest programme on its website.

By train. The organisers recommend it: no traffic and no hunting for parking on Advent weekends. From Merano station, walk or take a city bus to the centre.

By bus. Timetables are on suedtirolmobil.info. Note that Merano’s city buses don’t sell tickets on board. Buy them at a südtirolmobil sales point or in the südtirolmobil app, or pay contactless at the validator with Tap & Go. Wessobrunn guests travel free on public transport with the South Tyrol Guest Pass.

From Hotel Wessobrunn. The hotel is in a quiet spot in Gratsch, about 10 minutes from Merano’s town centre and a 10-minute drive from the station (more under How to reach us). The Tappeiner promenade starts right at the hotel and makes a lovely walk into town on a sunny day.

• Go midweek if you can. Advent weekends are the busiest.
• Mind the special hours. On 24 and 31 December the craft stalls close at 3:30 pm and the food stalls at 5 pm. The market is closed on 25 December.
• Combine it with a walk. The Winter Promenade is sunny and sheltered from the wind. More ideas: sights in Merano and walks from Gratsch.
• Warm up afterwards. Hotel guests can unwind in the Klosteroase, with Finnish sauna, steam bath and infrared sauna.

When does the Merano Christmas market 2026 open?
On 26 November 2026 at 5 pm. It closes on 6 January 2027.

Is it open at Christmas and New Year?
On 24 and 31 December, 10 am–3:30 pm; food stalls until 5 pm (some later on New Year’s Eve). Closed on 25 December. On 1 January, holiday hours apply: stalls 10 am–8 pm, food stalls 10 am–10:30 pm.

Where exactly is it?
Along the Passer and Winter promenades, plus Piazza Terme, Piazza della Rena, Piazza Duomo and Piazza del Grano.

How do I get there without a car?
Train to Merano, then walk or take a city bus. City buses don’t sell tickets on board: buy one in advance at a südtirolmobil sales point or in the südtirolmobil app, or pay contactless at the validator with Tap & Go. Hotel guests travel free with the South Tyrol Guest Pass.

Is the market still open during the New Year stay at the Wessobrunn?
Our New Year stay starts on 27 December and the market closes on 6 January, so the dates overlap. Check the daily hours on the official site.

Is the New Year’s Eve gala dinner included?
Yes. In our offer “Moments of enjoyment over New Year’s Eve”, the eight-course gala dinner with aperitif on 31 December is already included in the price.

Between Christmas and Epiphany you can enjoy the market without rushing. Our offer “Moments of enjoyment over New Year’s Eve” runs from 27 December 2026 to 6 January 2027, with a minimum stay of 6 nights. It includes half board with a five-course dinner using herbs from our garden and the exclusive eight-course New Year’s Eve gala dinner with welcome aperitif on 31 December – the gala dinner is already included in the price.

All the details: Christmas and New Year at the Wessobrunn.