From 11 November 2026 to 9 January 2027, Überseeplatz and Überseeboulevard at Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier will be transformed into a very special winter gathering place. Candy Christmas is not a traditional Christmas market, but a unique winter wonderland with extraordinary design, a strong community focus and the ambition to establish itself as a permanent fixture in Hamburg for the most festive time of the year.
Hamburg is getting a new winter destination
Hamburg has never seen anything quite like Candy Christmas before. The concept deliberately focuses on its own distinctive design aesthetic: playful, modern, inviting visitors to linger and visually striking. Pastel-coloured huts, oversized candy canes, lollipops and pink fir trees create a highly recognisable style. Instead of narrow alleys lined with stalls, the focus is on spacious gathering areas, a range of culinary delights from around the world, arts and crafts, selected retail stalls and a varied programme of events. The Christmas market opens as early as mid-November and runs well into January – positioning itself as a meeting place for the most wonderful time of the year, not just during the weeks of Advent.
A place to stay – not just to walk through
What sets Candy Christmas apart from other Christmas markets is its focus on creating a pleasant atmosphere in which to meet up and spend time. Numerous seating and standing areas, some of which are covered from the typical Hamburg weather, and special lounges invite visitors to enjoy their time there, rather than just strolling through quickly. At the heart of the market is the Candy Lounge, which covers around 75 square metres: The dome-shaped Yakone tent is reminiscent of a cosy igloo and, with its own bar, lovingly crafted décor and special lighting, offers a sheltered meeting place, even in the rain and cold. The Candy Lounge can also be booked as a standalone event venue, creating additional space for activities and socialising. Christmas shopping can also be done on the side in the quarter’s many shops.
Food, shopping and daily programme
Candy Christmas invites you on a real culinary journey of discovery. Alongside familiar Christmas market classics such as crêpes, waffles, ‘Handbrot’ and roasted & sugared almonds, the menu features dishes from all over the world – from Mexican to Polish cuisine – as well as vegetarian and vegan options. Winemaker’s mulled wine in red, white and rosé forms the wintery centrepiece of the drinks menu. Axel Strehlitz, owner of Lola’s Bistro, is providing another culinary highlight: the heated XXL fondue barrels, which can seat up to twelve people and attracted a great deal of interest at the Waterfront last year, will once again be on display at Überseeplatz.
Selected stalls also sell jewellery, ceramics, handmade products and Hamburg souvenirs. The daily programme is varied and free of charge: themed karaoke, live music, after-work evenings with DJs, as well as a puppet theatre, a woodworking workshop and a large carousel for families provide plenty of reasons to come back again and again. Candy Christmas is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm, and until 10 pm from Thursday to Saturday. Entry is free.
