LGBTQ+ & Gay Christmas Markets in 2023 in Germany and worldwide

Karl Krause

The Top LGBTQ+ and Gay Christmas Markets in 2023 in Germany, the home country of Christmas markets. Thousands of tourists and travelers from all over the world come to Germany during pre-Christmas time every year to get the perfect Christmas presents and dive into the German Christmas spirit. The well-known Christmas markets like in Berlin, Nuremberg, Munich, and Dresden have a century-long tradition of showcasing incredibly beautiful decorated Christmas trees, craftsmanship like wood carvings, the finest German Christmas cuisines like Christmas Stollen, and organizing concerts of local choirs and orchestras. Today, there are uncountable Christmas markets all over Germany and Europe. And even some Gay Christmas Markets during the pre-Christmas season, which we would like to introduce you to now on a couple of men.

Best LGBTQ+ & Gay Christmas Markets in 2023

Your Christmas market experience would not be complete without a delicious mulled wine (called Glühwein in German) together with some gay friends and members of the LGBT community. The most known Gay Christmas Markets 2023 in Germany also take place in the biggest cities in the country Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Hamburg, and Frankfurt. Additionally, several German cities organize weekly “LGBTQ” day(s) like Pink Mondays, Thursdays, or Queer Wednesdays, for example, in Düsseldorf, Essen, and Heidelberg. We did some thorough research to find all Gay Christmas Markets in Germany and were even able to locate some pink Christmas events around the world, like in Amsterdam, Toronto, and Arnhem. But we are sure there are more LGBTQ+ and Gay Christmas markets and pink events out there. 

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#1 Pink Christmas – Munich | Germany

Welcome to Munich, the German capital of tradition and folklore, and to the “Gay Christkindl Market” in the famous Glockenbachviertel. The Bavarian city, as the third-biggest city in Germany, offers everything LGBTQ+ travelers need for the perfect traditional pre-Christmas time. But there is more! The traditional Christmas market got a Pink add-on in 2005 when the first Pink Christmas market was opened to the public. In 2023, the LGBT winter event will celebrate Christmas under the rainbow with a small but gay, colorful, diversified market. Starting November 27th, you can stroll around, shop for your Christmas gifts, and taste delicious German food and drinks, including sausages and Glühwein. Do not miss the daily show acts; DJ James Munich starts playing at 6 p.m. Enjoy the pink star of the Christmas markets in Munich daily until December 23rd!

Location: Stephansplatz, Munich (in the heart of the famous gay neighborhood Glockenbachviertel)
Dates: November 27, 2023, to December 23, 2023
Opening Times: Mon to Fri: 4 pm to 10 pm | Sat & Sun: 2 pm to 10 pm

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#2 Heavenue – Cologne | Germany – canceled in 2023

The Gay Christmas Market “Heavenue” with its colorful market booths in pop art style, decorations with romantic elements, and snow-white garlands, is planning to return for Christmas in 2024. We are certain it will put more than one sparkle according to LGBTQ+ visitors and friends from all over the world in this Christmas wonderland! Nevertheless, Cologne is always a great destination for a trip, with beautiful Christmas markets all over the city.

Location: tbd
Dates: canceled in 2023 

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Official Facebook Website Heavenue Cologne >

#3 Winter Pride – Hamburg | Germany

Welcome to the North-German city of Hamburg for Winter Pride 2022. The only Queer-Lesbian-Gay Christmas Market 2023 in Hamburg is conveniently located in the heart of Hamburg’s popular Gay neighborhood St. Georg. The gay Christmas event in Hamburg is well-known among the LGBT community for its cozy, diverse, and tolerant atmosphere. Join the local queer, lesbian and gay people for a hot punch, Glühwein and sweet and salty Christmas treats, and don’t miss the highlights of the entertainment program on weekends featuring LGBT artists and hosts to collect donations for a good cause supporting the LGBTQ+ community. The updated event calendar will be available on the official website of Winter Pride Hamburg.

Location: Corner of Kirchenallee & Lange Reihe | Hamburg – St. Georg
Dates: November 20, 2023, to December 23, 2023
Opening Times: Daily from 12 pm to 10 pm, Fri & Sat until midnight

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Official Website Winter Pride Hamburg >

#4 Rosa Weihnacht – Frankfurt | Germany – Not Confirmed yet

The scent of hot mulled wine, brandy punch, Bratwurst, potato cake, freshly baked waffles, crêpe, baked apple, raclette cheese, and hot almonds soon pulls through the city because, in November, the Christmas market in Frankfurt will begin! By then, the illuminated rainbow area of the “Rosa Weihnacht” at Friedrich Stoltze Platz with its pink Christmas trees will open its gates to the national and international LGBTQ+ community, offering a safe, diverse and inclusive space for everyone who is in the pink Christmas mood. Like every year, there is supposed to be an almond hut where you can buy Beetmänchen, Popcorn, Fresh Almonds, Gingerbread Hearts, Aids Ribbons, and Aids Help Bears. Also, the already iconic Pink Christmas Hats will be available as well. The remaining income will go to Aids aid this year.

Location: usually at Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz, Frankfurt am Main
Dates: 27th November to 21st December 2023
Opening Times: Daily from 10 am to 9 pm, Sunday starting at 11 am

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#5 Christmas Avenue & LGBTQIA Winterdays – Berlin | Germany

The new Gay Christmas market in Berlin arrived in 2019! Finally, a Gay Christmas market in Berlin! For the first time, there was an LGBTIQ+ Christmas market Christmas Avenue in Berlin at the square Nollendorfplatz in Berlin’s gay neighborhood Schöneberg. Since then, a colorful lighting concept by lighting designer Andreas Boehlke from Berlin has created a unique atmosphere right in front of the reopened Metropol-Theater under.

While Christmas Avenue was originally designed as an LGTBIQ+ Christmas market, it has evolved through the years and has now become a true neighborhood Christmas market. It attracts not only members of the LGTBIQ+ community, but also families, neighbors and visitors from all corners of Berlin and beyond. With its open and welcoming atmosphere, variety of stalls and festive lighting, Christmas Avenue has become an integral part of the Christmas season in the neighborhood around Nollendorfplatz.

From November 10 to 25, 2023, we are setting a special accent: our “LGBTQIA Winter Days” are dedicated entirely to social and political issues. During these days, we offer the LGBTQIA community a platform to raise its voice. Associations, organizations and initiatives are given the opportunity to present their messages and work to the public. Christmas Avenue in Berlin

As an enrichment for the Berlin LGBTIQ+ scene, “Christmas Avenue” aims to not only be just another attraction in Germany’s capital but also make a special social contribution in favor of various non-profit associations through fundraisers as a joint work of Berlin’s LGBTQ+ community.

Location: Nollendorfplatz Berlin – Schöneberg
Dates: November 10 to December 23, 2023
Opening Times: Check the updated program here >

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Official Website Christmas Avenue Berlin >

#6 Pink Monday in Heidelberg | Germany

Once again, the Christmas Market in the West German city of Heidelberg will turn pink on December 4, 2023 and transform the traditional market into a queer meeting place to be in the region. The “Pink Monday Heidelberg” was held for the first time in 2014 on the Heidelberg market square. In the past, the city’s major officially opened in the evening at 6 pm. For the event, the City Hall, the Hercules Fountain, the Church of the Holy Spirit, and the Hotel Zum Ritter St. Georg will be illuminated in pink for one evening.

This year, the “Pink Glühwein” created especially for Pink Monday by the Adam Müller winery and, of course, the 2023 special edition of the “Pink Monday Christmas mug” will also be available. Pink Monday has become a cult event at the Christmas market that not only the LGBT+ community looks forward to but all visitors. Every year, it is colorful and diverse, always bringing a good mood and a large donation for AIDS-Hilfe Heidelberg. Our tip: Before the pink event and to get in the proper pink Christmas mood for Pink Monday, a QueerTour Heidelberg will take place on December 4 at 3:30 p m.

Location: Pink Monday at Marktplatz | Hotel Zum Ritter St. Georg
Dates:  December 4, 2023
Opening Times: Pink Monday at 6 pm

Top Hotel Deals Heidelberg > | Flight Offers to Heidelberg >

Official Website Heidelberg Marketing >

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The perfect present to inspire (German-speaking) LGBTQ+ travelers and their allies to travel the world open-minded, respectfully, and with a happy heart.

Order our book online or purchase it in bookstores in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

On Amazon >

#7 Gay on Christmas Market in Düsseldorf (former Pink Monday) | Germany – Not confirmed yet

LGBTQ+ travelers and allies can enjoy queer get-togethers in Düsseldorf as well! Since 2014, the Yes it’s Gay Christmas Market in Düsseldorf at the Christmas market on Schadowplatz brings local gay, lesbian and BTTIQ * visitors together under the rainbow at the long-standing Christmas market hut Schwarzwaldhütte (Black Forest Hut). This year under the new motto: “Gays on the Christmas Market”. You should try the many solid and liquid treats such as grandma’s eggnog, the children’s punch, red and white mulled wine, also Pilsener Urquell and cocoa with delicious Amarula liqueur. In addition to that, various delicious German foods are waiting to be eaten. Pink Monday Düsseldorf on the Christmas market at Schadowplatz is a project from the community. The event is supported by many clubs, companies, and groups from the LGBTQ+ community in Düsseldorf and surroundings. Good to know: This year, in addition to all Mondays, the Pink Monday also takes place on the Friday before New Year’s Eve.

Location: Schwarzwaldhütte
Dates:  no information available

Top Hotel Deals Düsseldorf > | Flight Offers to Düsseldorf >

Official Facebook Page Schwarzwaldhütte >

#8 GAYnachtsmarkt Stuttgart | Germany – Not confirmed yet

It wasn’t that easy to find information about the gay Christmas market in Stuttgart, the capital city of the German state Baden-Wuerttemberg. But also in 2021, the hut of the GAYnachtsmarkt Stuttgart will be once a week the LGBTQ+ meeting point for Stuttgart’s lesbian, gay and queer community for the pre-Christmas time. Additional to the weekly GAYnachtsmarkt hut, the AIDS Help of Stuttgart will have an own hut serving daily hot drinks and Christmas snacks as well. For everyone who is getting cold after the Christmas market, our friends-couple David and Andreas from Stuttgart recommend the Gay-Café Rubens just around the corner from Stuttgart’s Christmas market.

Location: Gaynachtsmarkt at Christmas Market in Stuttgart
Dates:  no information available

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Official Website GAYnachtsmarkt Stuttgart >

#9 Pink Monday “Glühweintreff” Essen | Germany – Not confirmed yet

Essen, the second-biggest city of the Rhine-Ruhr Metropolitan Region, has its own weekly LGBTQ+ Christmas hangout, “Schwul Lesbische Trans* Glühweintreff” during the Christmas market season as well. The popular Christmas hut “Zum Ritter” will be the place to be at the Christmas market in Essen. Happy Holidays in Essen!

Location: Essener Weihnachtsmarkt im Feuerwald, between Essener Dom and Kennedyplatz
Dates:  Mondays in November and December 2023
Opening Times: From 7:30 pm

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Official Facebook Page Zum Ritter in Essen >

#10 Vielbunter Friday on Christmas market in Darmstadt

The queer LGBT community of Darmstadt called “Vielbunt” is organizing a queer Christmas market event on “Vielbunter Friday” in 2023. vielbunt e.V. invites you to the vielbunt Friday of the queer community on the main stage at the market square in cooperation with Darmstadt Marketing. The event starts at 6 pm! We start the program with music by Farbrevolte, as well as Paula and Mattea. At around 7 p.m., a drag show that packs a punch will begin! Kitty Bambule, Dahlia Danger, Igitte von Bingen, Vanessa P, Koko von der Line and the Gaga Ladies will be there this year! Look forward to an evening full of laughter, new acquaintances and maybe even new friendships.

Location: Main stage Christmas market | Darmstadt, Hesse
Dates:  December 8, 2023
Opening Times: Queer Friday at 6 pm

Top Hotel Deals Darmstadt > | Flight Offers to Frankfurt >

Official Website Vielbunter Weihnachtsmarkt >

All you need to know about Christmas & Germany:

• Overview: Tips, Info, & Articles our Gay Pride Trips worldwide >
• CSD Gay Pride List: All 60+ Gay Pride Parades in Germany>
• All Reviews of our tested Gay-friendly Hotels around the globe >

• Best of the 40th CSD Gay Pride in the German Capital City Berlin >
• Best of the Amsterdam “Gay” Pride Parades with Canal Parade 2017 >

• Our Tips: List of our Gay Travel Christmas Gift & Presents Inspirations >
• All you need to know for your Gay Travels to the Netherlands, Holland >

International LGBT Gay Christmas Markets 2023

#1 Pink XMAS Market Toronto | Canada

*** So far, there is no information about an edition of 2023.***

We have been to Toronto this year for the first time, but have been falling in love with the Canadian city at Lake Ontario.  During our research for Gay Christmas Markets, we discovered the small Pink Market with an XMAS edition! The Pink XMAS market Toronto is supposed to be a queer craft/ fashion/ art/ lit fair ahead of the coming Christmas season in Canada. The idea behind the Pink market is simple as it aims to give queer creators from Toronto and across Canada a platform for their work, connecting them to members of the public as well as fostering a community of LGBTQ artists and makers. We are sure it is the perfect opportunity to get all you need for your Christmas gift list while supporting the Canadian LGBTQ+ community!

Location: Community Center at 519 Church Street | Toronto, ON
Dates: Beginning of December 2022 | Sat 11 am to 6 pm/ Sun 11 am to 5 pm

Top Hotel Deals Toronto > | Flight Offers to Toronto >

Official Website Pink Market TO >

#2 Winter Avenue Arnhem | The Netherlands

*** So far, there is no information about an edition 2023.***

Last year, we had great news from the Dutch city Arnhem in the eastern part of the Netherlands, close to the German border! The union of Gay Arnhem organized the first-ever Pink Christmas Market, in Dutch called ‘Roze Kerstmarkt’ including Drag Queen Contest “Miss Drag Gelderland 2019” and lots of “bling bling”. Our dear friend Rudy participated as well! During the two-day event on December 15th and 16th, colorful Christmas huts, DJs, and LGBT people from all over the country came together to create a safe environment for lesbians, gays, and queer people. The Winter Avenue Arnhem was initiated to support the local gay community after the violent incident in Arnhem in 2017 when a gay couple was physically abused. Gay Arnhem consciously opts for an ‘own’ Christmas market to create an open space for the whole LGBT community to meet, talk and celebrate the pre-Christmas time together. Strong and proud #handinhand in Arnhem. If this event takes place in 2022 is still not confirmed.

Location: Jansplein | Arnhem, The Netherlands
Dates: December 2022 | Sat 12 pm to 10 pm/ Sun 12 pm to 7 pm /tbc

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Gay Christmas Events in Amsterdam 2023

Amsterdam, our hometown, had its Gay Christmas market on the popular gay street Reguliersdwaarstraat, but unfortunately, it does not exist anymore. But as the Dutch capital city of the first country ever to introduce marriage equality, Amsterdam offers a lot during the pre-Christmas and wintertime. Besides the annual Amsterdam Light Festival with illuminated art pieces all around the city, party series, clubs, and bars are turning pink and rainbow-colored. Like our favorite Amsterdam Gay Bar PRIK. Until now, we do not know if all the events will happen in 2023. But usually, in December, several events take place at the cozy bar in central Amsterdam, like Pink Pub Quiz, Disco PRIKmas, and PRIKmas Karaoke. Story of the guys behind Amsterdam PRIK >

Dates: December 2023
Location: Amsterdam’s favorite gay bar Prik | Spuistraat 109

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Gay Christmas Parties in Amsterdam in December 2023

One of our favorite parties Bear Necessities has an edition scheduled for December 2, 2023, and January 1st, 2024, and X-Mas Fun House on December 23rd 2023. So do not forget to book your trip to Amsterdam in Winter and your Gay Christmas party ticket for one of the listed queer events! Happy pre-Christmas time with your loved ones, and may your Holidays 2023 be merry and bright!

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Order our book now!

The perfect present to inspire (German-speaking) LGBTQ+ travelers and their allies to travel the world open-minded, respectfully, and with a happy heart.

Order our book online or purchase it in bookstores in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

On Amazon >

Our List of the Top LGBTQ+ & Gay Christmas Markets in 2023

(Pre)Christmastime is the time of year to spend time with loved ones, cuddle together with hot tea, watch Christmas movies, and plan Christmas parties with friends and family. The Christmas markets in Germany are just another great way to experience pre-Christmas time with the scents of cinnamon, mulled wine, oranges, and Christmas cookies accompanied by traditional (German) Christmas music. We are convinced that we, despite all our efforts, did not manage to find all Gay Christmas markets in Germany or worldwide. So please drop us a line when you attended one of the LGBTQ+ events during your holidays in 2023. We cannot wait to add those to our list of Gay Christmas Markets 2023 in Germany and worldwide.

Do you want to know and see more of us gay couple travel bloggers? Stay tuned on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook! See you around Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and on one of our next gay pride trips around the world!

Karl & Daan.

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