Veganer Weihnachtsmarkt Heidelberg

The Veganer Weihnachtsmarkt Heidelberg is a one-day, fully vegan Christmas market on Saturday 12 December 2026, held on the public square Friedrich-Ebert-Platz in Heidelberg. It is organised entirely by a small volunteer team, and the 2025 edition was the fifth, so 2026 should be the sixth. Organisers report that 2025 drew record crowds, which tells you the city has taken to it.

The market is a classic outdoor Christmas market in format, with the animal products taken out. You will find vendor stalls, information stands and vegan food and Glühwein. Animal-welfare groups are part of the mix: in 2025 the wildlife organisation Pro Fuchs Deutschland had an info stand. Because the market is run by volunteers, it stays modest in size, and the organisers say they are looking for sponsors to keep stall fees and prices affordable.

Opening hours are 13:00–21:00, so it is a good late-afternoon and evening market once the lights are on. It is an open-air public square, so dress for December in the Neckar valley.

One caveat before you travel: on 17 September 2026 the organisers said the city had not yet confirmed the permit for Friedrich-Ebert-Platz. Their website and Instagram bio now list 12 December as fixed, but we did not find a post saying the permit was granted. Some listings still show 13 December, which was the 2025 date. Check @veganer.weihnachtsmarkt.hd on Instagram shortly before you set off. If you are building a vegan Advent weekend, Heidelberg's old town and castle make a good daytime programme before the market opens.