Those longing for a Christmas market by the water will find what they are looking for in Lindau or on the Fraueninsel on Lake Chiemsee. Here, the Christmas atmosphere is combined with an island feeling. In Lindau, you can also take the Christmas boat to Bregenz and enjoy Advent on the water. A small town on the Danube takes the Christmas boat idea a step further and relocates part of its Christmas market directly on board.
The small town on the three rivers
The city is located around 20 kilometers northwest of Passau and is known as the “little city of three rivers”, as it also has three tributaries to the Danube. The Danube in particular plays an important role in the cultural life of the city, as many events take place on and along the river and make the city famous beyond its borders. The “Danube in Flames” event is particularly popular, where you can admire a large firework display launched from the Danube every year in July. In fact, other towns emulate Vilshofen by holding similar events in their own towns.
The floating Christmas market in Vilshofen, however, is unique. In Munich, we can also celebrate Christmas on a ship on the Alte Utting, but unfortunately it is no longer on the water. In Vilshofen, on the other hand, the ship floats on the water and you can go on board to be enchanted by the fluvial festivity.
Unique: Floating Christmas market on the Danube
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You can visit the floating Christmas market in Vilshofen for the 20th time this year. On the first three weekends in Advent, the ship “Stadt Linz” is anchored and invites you to browse and stroll around. On board, you can also marvel at the world’s largest wooden nativity scene, which measures 20 meters in length and 3.5 meters in height.
In addition to the ship, the Danube promenade also serves as the setting for the Christmas market. In addition to all kinds of delicacies such as gingerbread and mulled wine, the 9-metre-high mulled wine pyramid, which was specially designed for Vilshofen, is also located here. Next to it, the Christmas tree sparkles with its 1,500 baubles and radiates a devout flair.
The highlights of the program are the musical interludes, which you can attend every day. The artists and musicians perform on the floating stage on the river, with performances ranging from classical to modern music. If you fancy some Christmas music without having to take a trip, you can also attend a candlelight concert instead.
For the first time this year , the Christmas market will also take place on the fourth weekend of Advent as “Vilshofer Adventszauber”, but without the ship. On these days, you will have to do without the floating Christmas market, but you can still enjoy the sight of the lights reflecting in the water from the shore.
From Munich, it takes around two hours by car or train to Vilshofen. There is free parking on site. If you are traveling by train, take the RE3 towards Passau from the main station. The old town of Vilshofen is also worth a visit outside of the pre-Christmas period and invites you to stroll and linger.
📍 Location: Vilshofen on the Danube, Danube promenade
📅 Dates:
- Floating Christmas market: November 28 to 30, December 05 to 07, December 12 to 14
- Vilshofer Advent magic: December 19 to 21
💶 Price information: Free admission