Things to Do in Leipzig in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Leipzig
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + In December, Leipzig's Christmas market (Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt) floods Augustusplatz with 250 wooden stalls; the scent of Glühwein and Rostbratwurst swirls with pine from the 38-metre (125-foot) spruce tree that towers over the square.
- + Museum crowds evaporate—Gewandhaus concerts that sell out in October still have seats in mid-December, and you can hear Bach's Thomaskirche organ without tourists whispering.
- + Hotel rates fall 30-40% after the first week of December, when business travelers vanish for the holidays, leaving boutique properties in the Zentrum-Süd district surprisingly affordable.
- + The city's famous coffee-house culture peaks—Coffe Baum (open since 1694) pours their seasonal Lebkuchen latte with house-roasted beans while the tiled stoves hold the 18th-century interior at 22°C (72°F).
- − Daylight disappears by 4 PM, which compresses sightseeing time more than you'd expect—Schlosspark Leipzig closes at dusk, and photographing the Völkerschlachtdenkmal becomes impossible after 3:30.
- − Christmas market weekends bring shoulder-to-shoulder crowds between noon and 6 PM, when day-trippers from Dresden and Berlin arrive by train; the narrow lanes behind Thomaskirche become nearly impassable.
- − Some restaurants close entirely between Christmas and New Year's—traditional German establishments in the Gottschedstrasse quarter often shut for a week, limiting your dinner options to hotel restaurants.
Year-Round Climate
How December compares to the rest of the year
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
The December markets stretch from Augustusplatz through Marktplatz to Naschmarkt, with ice-skating at the Augustusplatz rink staying open until 10 PM. Morning visits (9-11 AM) deliver the best light for photography and the hottest Glühwein before the kettles cool. Local families arrive after 4 PM when the lights turn on, creating the authentic atmosphere most visitors miss.
December's crisp air makes the 3.2 km (2-mile) Bach Trail from Thomaskirche to Schlosskeller pleasant—summer's humidity would melt you by the second stop. The trail hits all eight Bach-associated sites, and December's low sun throws dramatic shadows for photographing the baroque architecture.
The massive 360-degree panoramas at Panometer are perfect December weather insurance—huge indoor space where you can spend 90 minutes without freezing. The current exhibition (rotating every 18 months) stays warm at 21°C (70°F) with perfect lighting regardless of Leipzig's grey December skies.
December is brewing season at the traditional Gose breweries—bay windows steam up at Bayerischer Bahnhof while the sour wheat beer ferments in open vats. The brewery tours include warming Rauchbier tastings that make the 1.5 km (0.9-mile) walk between stops comfortable in winter temperatures.
The African savanna enclosure stays 25°C (77°F) year-round, making it a December oasis when outside temperatures hover around freezing. The zoo's Pongoland research center keeps its bonobos active indoors, and the Christmas-themed enrichment activities happen at 11 AM and 3 PM daily.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
The main Christmas market runs from late November through December 23rd, with the highlight being the 250 stalls arranged in traditional medieval style. The wooden pyramid near Alte Waage features daily performances at 5 PM, and the Finnish Christmas Village in Naschmarkt serves smoked salmon and glögg until 10 PM.
Every weekend in December features special advent concerts with candlelit performances of Bach's Christmas Oratorio. The acoustics in the new Gewandhaus are designed for baroque music—book early since locals snap up tickets during the first week of December.
Essential Tips
What to pack, insider knowledge and common pitfalls