Christmas Markets in Cuxhaven 2026 – Schloss Ritzebüttel and the Winterzauber in the Kurpark

Two Christmas markets in Cuxhaven at a glance: the Weihnachtszauber in the courtyard of Schloss Ritzebüttel and the Winterzauber in the Kurpark Döse, with an ice rink. Both are about 17 and 21 kilometres from the Nordseezimmer. This article tells you what the markets offer, which dates you should double-check before you travel and how to get there. All details are as of October 2026.

Weihnachtszauber at Schloss Ritzebüttel

The Weihnachtszauber is a traditional Christmas market in the castle courtyard: small wooden stalls with treats, local crafts, woodwork and gift ideas. It runs “from the end of November until Christmas”.

Exact days and opening times for 2026 have not been published yet. Last year the market was scheduled for 27 November to 24 December, from 3 to 9 pm, according to the market overview by CNV Medien from November 2025 (in German). Whether the same days apply in 2026 is open. Check the current dates shortly before you set off.

Winterzauber in the Kurpark Döse

The Winterzauber is a Christmas and winter market in the Kurpark Döse. Admission is free. On site there is a 10 × 20 metre artificial ice rink with skate hire, a covered rink for Eisstockschießen and a 25-metre toboggan run. There are also mulled wine, bratwurst, crêpes, roasted almonds and potato pancakes, with covered seating.

Skating, skate hire, Eisstockschießen, the toboggan run and a dodgem track for children cost extra. For families there is the Wichtelstube with craft activities on the Advent weekends, and Father Christmas visits on the Advent Sundays. There is also a wishing tree and a Christmas rally through the Kurpark. Wednesday is family day with discounts. School classes can use the rink in the morning by arrangement with the organiser.

Dates: what is fixed and what you should check

For the Winterzauber the end is clear: 3 January. The start is given differently on the official pages: 20 November in the page header, “mid-November” in the text, “end of November” on the overview page. If you want to be there for the opening, check the date beforehand in the online events calendar.

Around the holidays the hours change: on 24 Dec, 26 Dec, 31 Dec and 1 Jan the Winterzauber is open only from 11 am to 4 pm, and on 25 Dec it is closed (see the table above). If you come on one of these four days, plan for the late morning or early afternoon.

For the Weihnachtszauber at the castle the 2026 days are open as well: “end of November until Christmas”, with no more detail given. If you are flexible, pick a date from early to mid December that falls within all the periods mentioned, and check the current dates before you book.

Getting there

You can get to the Kurpark Döse by bike, on foot or by bus to the “Kugelbake” stop. By car there are paid car parks at the Messeplatz and at the Kugelbake-Halle, both reachable via Nordfeldstraße. From the Nordseezimmer it is about 21 kilometres, around 27 minutes. You can find more in our article on the Kugelbake in Cuxhaven.

To Schloss Ritzebüttel it is about 17 kilometres, around 19 minutes. For general directions to Otterndorf, see Getting to Otterndorf.

In Otterndorf: the Sternenmarkt on the third Advent weekend

You do not have to go to Cuxhaven for Christmas atmosphere. The 18th Otterndorf Sternenmarkt takes place on the Kirchplatz in Otterndorf from 11 to 13 December 2026, on the third Advent weekend. You can visit the Sternenmarkt on Friday from 3 to 10 pm, Saturday from 2 to 10 pm and Sunday from 12 to 8 pm. Many small stalls offer a variety of things to browse, and there is a carousel. Father Christmas drops by, and choirs and clubs sing. The Kirchplatz is closed to road traffic during this time, and the diversions are signposted. What the rest of the town looks like is shown in our article on the Otterndorf old town.

Back to the Nordseezimmer

After an evening at the market you do not have to be back at a particular time: check-in by key box works around the clock. You have your own bathroom, a large bed (180 × 200), Wi-Fi, your own parking space and coffee, and the tourist tax is included. Both rooms, Koje and Koi, can be booked from one night, with no single-room supplement. For a short Advent trip this goes well with our article One Night on the North Sea.