Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market: Everything You Need to Know for 2025

Scoring a trip to the famous Ravenna Gorge Christmas market needs preparation. Here’s how to get tickets, how to find it, all the ways you can get there, and what you’ll see at this one-of-a-kind Christmas market.

A square wooden arch that says Weihnachtsmarkt Ravennaschlucht with a chalet behind, and a tall stone viaduct illuminated in red

The Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market is one of the most coveted ticketed markets in Germany and it sells out every year. Tickets? Yep. That’s the only way to keep the crowds down and make sure that this truly unique and romantic market maintains its magic, without over-tourism. But that means you’re going to have to plan ahead if you want to be one of the few to experience this one-of-a-kind Black Forest Christmas market. Way ahead.

I missed out on tickets the first year I tried, so I was on a mission not to blow it two years in a row. My planning paid off and we enjoyed Saturday night of opening weekend!

What You'll Find in this Post

How to get tickets to the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market

The only way to get tickets for the Ravenna Gorge Christmas market is to purchase them online from the HochSchwartzwald website. But you’re going to have to be paying attention, and on the ball! Mark your calendar for early October, and check the website to find out when the tickets go on sale.

Then mark your calendar again for the day and time the tickets become available. It will be some time in mid-October in late morning, Central European Time. The market is only open on weekends (Friday – Sunday) during the Advent Season which is between the end of November and mid-to-late December. So plan what day you want to go, what time you want to go, which type of ticket you want, and be ready to strike! (I’m not kidding!)

What kind of tickets are there?

A tall arched stone viaduct illuminated in purple with a christmas stall decorated in greenery and white lights with snow on top.

All Tickets are Timed

All tickets are timed with an approximate 2 hour time slot. You will have plenty of time to see the whole market in that time. And they won’t round you up and kick you out after 2 hours, so you can probably stay longer, but be mindful that they do stagger the times for a reason – so it’s less crowded and everyone has a better experience.

Google the time of sunset in Hinterzarten, Germany for the day you want to go, and choose whether you want a daylight ticket, a sunset ticket, or an evening ticket. There are pros and cons to each of these.

1. Daylight ticket:

This is a good option if you are combining the day with a hike, if you have kids, or if you just prefer the daytime for travel purposes, or because it’s slightly warmer.

2. Sunset ticket:

This one is kind of the best of both worlds. You can see and enjoy the forest surroundings before it gets dark, but you’ll be there when the lights come on and everything turns into a twinkling wonderland.

3. Evening ticket:

With an evening ticket, you’ll get more time to enjoy the nighttime magic and light show, but you will miss some of the forest experience and may not get back to your hotel until late. It will also be a little colder.

Ticket Prices for the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market

Tickets will have different price points depending on how you plan to get to the market. You can either hike from the train station, use the car park on site, or take a shuttle bus from one of several locations.

The prices and dates for next year’s market will be released in the spring of 2025. But to give you a general idea, prices for 2024 were €5.50 per adult before 4pm, €7.50 per adult after 4pm, Children up to and including 15 years old were free. This does not include parking or other transportation. This is just the price to get in the door.

1. Parking on Site

Hofgut Sternen, Höllsteig 76, 79874 Breitnau/Hinterzarten

A blue parking sign that says Bus Parkplaz Coach Parking only and a parking lot with a bus full of people. A tall arched stone viaduct illuminated in pink in the background.

The cost of the ticket with on site parking is a combination parking fee and entrance fee per person. It is not a parking fee just for the car.

This option is by far the most convenient if you are driving your own car. There is a smallish parking lot about a 5 minute walk from the entrance to the market. But you will need to be quick on the draw to nail this one. These sell out first as there are a very limited number of tickets.

*There are some parking spaces available for disabled drivers, but you must make a reservation ahead of time.

2. Taking a shuttle bus

A snowy field with a white building to the right and a parking lot with buses on the left. People are walking to the buses.

The cost of this ticket is a combination shuttle bus ticket and entrance fee per person.

This option allows you to take a shuttle bus to and from the market to several different locations. The shuttle bus will drop you off in a parking lot right next to the entrance. Many people take this option because of the proximity to the market, and because parking for cars is so limited. This is the other option for not having to hike.

The shuttle buses run from the Hinterzarten (closest) and Himmelreich train stations, as well as from the Kurhaus parking lot in Titisee. Departure times will be printed on your ticket. And here’s the odd part – they say they cannot guarantee you a seat… I don’t know why this is, but be aware and be early!

For a shuttle bus that *does* guarantee you a seat, take the one from the ZOB Steig 7 in Freiburg im Briesgau which is about 40 minutes away. Freiburg is a great home base for your trip to the Ravenna Gorge Christmas market, and has a fabulous market of its own!

3. Hiking to the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market

There is no transportation provided with this ticket

The Hike Itself

Hiking to the market is the least expensive option, and the most exciting.

You will begin at the train station (Bahnhof) in Hinterzarten. You can either take a train to the station, or park your car in the large parking lot in front of it.

A high stone wall with a sign saying Freiburger Str. A man with a backpack walks on a snowy sidewalk by the road

The hike to the market will begin by walking through town, and then you’ll turn off on to a wide lit trail which will eventually become a wide unlit trail. On the way to the market it is mostly downhill, which means on the return it’s mostly up hill, and the hike is about 50 minutes, or 2.5 miles each way. The uphill portion is not extremely steep and the trail is in great condition.

Finding the Right Trail

The trail you’ll take from the road to the market is part of a trail system in the Black Forest. There is also another trail which leads there, but it is more dangerous and is closed in the wintertime. Both trails begin at about the same place from the road so it can be a little confusing.

If you find yourself climbing a steep narrow set of stairs right at the beginning of the trail, this is NOT the right trail. Yes, we found out the hard way.

A street sign for Löffeltalweg with seven pointed directionals one of which says Ravennaschlucht 3.0 km

This is the signpost you need to look for on the road. Follow the Ravennaschlucht (Ravenna Gorge) arrow. Once you start this trail, just keep following the main trail all the way to the market. Easy peasy.

Daytime Hike

The scenic trail is definitely more enjoyable in the daytime. The trail is very safe, and parallels a beautiful stream that flows over big boulders, passes old wooden barns and an old mill, gives views of some nice little waterfalls, and beautiful tall evergreen trees. You’ll be sharing it with other Christmas market goers.

Hiking After Sunset

A stone millhouse with windows and snow on the roof. A wooden bridge crosses a stream which flows over large snow-covered boulders.

If you are hiking after sunset, you will need to bring a flashlight or head lamp. You will miss out on some of the scenery, but we did the hike both ways in the dark and I actually still enjoyed it a lot. It’s very peaceful and beautiful, and somehow it made it easier to keep that special Christmas magic feeling going.

4. Hiking/Taxi Combination

If you hike into the Ravenna Gorge Christmas market and your ticket is for hiking only, you cannot decide to take a shuttle bus back. So what if you get there and don’t want to make the hike back through the woods? You can take a taxi! There’s a whole line of them near the exit that just shuttle people back to the train station (or wherever you are going).

The ride to the Hinterzarten train station via taxi is a little over 5 minutes long and should cost you between €10-€15. Ask first how much it will be, so you can be clear on pricing.

Layout of the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market Area

A tall arched stone viaduct illuminated in red with several evergreens covered in white lights and a wooden hut

A tall arched stone viaduct illuminated in blue with several Christmas market stalls with snowy roofs, and a crowd of people

If you’ve looked at photos of the market, and seen all the amazing Instagram and YouTube content on it, you’re probably thinking that the market is somewhere off the beaten path, over the river and through the woods, in the depths of the Black Forest.

I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but it’s pretty much right next to the highway. But don’t be disillusioned just yet. I’ll tell you what you can expect in the next section. It’s still pretty fabulous!

There is a little cluster of buildings near the famous railroad viaduct that cater to visitors. You’ll find a gigantic cuckoo clock, a cool gift store, and a couple places to eat, including a fondue restaurant!

A large cuckoo clock on the side of a building

A chalet with wooden stairs and a large evergreen in white lights covered with snow. An open fire in a fire pit and people warming themselves

The market itself is behind a large hill, so you won’t actually see any of this from the market. In other words, it looks and feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere, even though you aren’t.

What to Expect at the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market

Getting in

Be sure that you arrive on time. Your ticket has a two hour window and you won’t be allowed into the market before or after those times.

They ask you to print out your tickets, which we did, but if you forget they can check your phone for the tickets which were sent to you when you paid online and scan them. Then you’ll get a little paper bracelet, and in you go!

What Does the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market Look Like?

A tall arched stone viaduct illuminated in red with snowy trees and a lane lined with Christmas trees next to a wooden chalet with green shutters. People in heavy coats and hats walk down the lane towards the camera

As you pass under the welcome arch, you’ll proceed up a little walkway lined with Chritmas trees all sparkling with little white lights. Then the smell of sizzling bratwurst and hot mulled wine (glühwein) hits you, and it begins!

Look up and you’ll see the amazing stone arches of the railroad viaduct that is the signature landmark of the market, and the reason that people come from near and far to get those pictures and bask in all that Christmas magic. The colored lights on the viaduct change, and cycle through pink, red, orange, blue, purple, and green in an hour so you’ll get to see them all twice.

The whole space is dotted with little tables or covered mini-chalets where you can stand and eat, and there are several big open fire pits where you can warm yourself.

The Train

Yes, that viaduct is still in use, and you’ll be able to see the train pass overhead! A train comes about every half hour or so, and most times they will give a blast of the whistle giving you a couple seconds to whip out your phone and grab a shot.

The best places to see the train are either from close to the entrance of the market, at the very back or on top of the big hill (which may or may not be closed, depending on the conditions).

Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market Stalls

A booth full of wooden carvings, and hanging wooden mobiles and ornaments

A Christmas market stall full of snow globes and illuminated decorations, with lots of little white lights and greenery overhead

There are only about 40 market stalls at this market, making it fairly small by comparison to some of the other well-known German Christmas markets, but it’s small size is part of its charm. Your two-hour ticket will give you plenty of time to really browse everything, and you won’t feel overwhelmed by its size.

The Ravenna Gorge Christmas market really prides itself on the regional products the market is famous for. You’ll find wooden crafts, handmade dolls, Christmas ornaments, home decor, jams, honey, wild game, and sausages.

Food and Drink

A paper plate piled high with cheese spaetzle and 2 wooden spoons. Two black mugs with an image of the viaduct, full of glühwein

If it’s glühwein you’re looking for, you’re going to be very happy. There were at least six stands that we counted and several different colors and styles of Christmas market mugs to go with them! There were also many other warm drinks in mugs available from hot chocolate to hot applejuice, kinderpunsch, and some interesting hot cocktails I’d never seen before.

The food is mostly classic German fare done really well. We had Käsespaëtzle (think decadent German mac and cheese with caramelized onions on top), and venison sausage with mustard on a fresh crusty roll. Both were top notch.

The Nativity Walk

A woodland illuminated in red with people moving up a trail

A creek with snow-covered boulders and trees illuminated in blue

At the back of the market there is a path leading up the hill. On either side on the way up are wooden nativity scenes carved out of wood with placards telling the Christmas story. The woodland area is lit with colored lights and borders a beautiful stream with water flowing over big snow-covered boulders.

At the end of the nativity walk, you can continue on the path which winds around and brings you to the top of the hill overlooking the market. There is a little wooden gazebo at the top and you can get a great photo from there of the market from above. However, the path may be closed depending on conditions.

How Crowded is the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market?

A tall arched stone viaduct illuminated in blue with a long row of market stalls, and two large evergreens with snow and white lights. Hundreds of people in coats and hats browse the stalls

The market is definitely crowded, but not too crowded. There are lots of people and you won’t escape that because the market sells out every ticket. But it isn’t like some of the large popular markets where you get crushed in the crowd and it’s impossible to navigate.

I think they’ve found a good balance in letting as many people in as possible without making it uncomfortable or a negative experience.

How Much Cash Should You Bring?

I’m not sure if any of the vendors take credit cards, but don’t count on it! Cash is usually the name of the game, especially in smaller sized markets. Hot drinks were about €5, bratwurst was €6, and that cheesy spaetzle I’m still dreaming about was €8 and worth every penny!

Christmas Market Mugs

A woman's hand in a blue fingerless mitten holds a black Ravenna Gorge Christmas market mug that says Weihnachtsmarkt Ravennaschlucht in front of a portion of the viaduct illuminated in red

When you buy glühwein or other hot drinks at the market, they will hand it to you in a ceramic mug. Each market has at least one unique mug for that market that you won’t find anywhere else. The mugs change yearly too, so they have become popular souvenirs. You’ll also get a colored plastic chip to signify which vendor you got the mug from.

The price you pay will include a deposit on the mug which is usually €2-€3 on top of the cost of the drink. This is called the “pfand” (fand) in German. If you finish your drink and want the deposit back, you just bring the mug and the chip back to the vendor you purchased from, and trade them back. If you want to keep the mug as a souvenir you can just take it with you.

Is the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market Dog Friendly?

We opted to leave our girl napping at the hotel, and it was the right call. You know your dog best, but be advised that the market is crowded and could be a little overwhelming for your pup. I tripped over a little guy’s leash and felt really bad because he looked a little scared.

The market advises against bringing your dog, but says that if you do bring them and you take the shuttle bus, you need to book a ticket for your dog as well.

How to Get to the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market

By Car to Hinterzarten Train Station

From Freiburg im Brisgau – 28 minutes

From Strasbourg, France – 2 hours 52 minutes

From Colmar – 1 hour 7 minutes

From Stuttgart – 1 hour 39 minutes

From Basel – 1 hour 11 minutes

By Train to Hinterzarten Train Station

From Freiburg im Brisgau – 28 minute

From Strasbourg, France – 1 hour 19 minutes

From Colmar – 41 minutes

From Stuttgart – 1 hour 49 minutes

From Basel – 1 hour 29 minutes

What’s the Weather at Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market?

In general, the rule is to prepare for winter conditions, but be sure to check the weather at Ravenna Gorge a week before you go. Checking the day before you go will give you the best projection of what to expect. Here’s where to check current weather conditions at Ravenna Gorge.

Have a Great Time at the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market!

A smiling couple with a tall arched stone viaduct illuminated in blue behind

So, what’s our takeaway?

Yes, this market takes some logistics to figure out, but it’s all very do-able, and it truly is unique among Christmas markets. The viaduct and the train (Polar Express anyone?) add some major magical vibes to the entire experience, the food was excellent, the wares were interesting and different althuough not plentiful, and the whole mood was just romantic and beautiful.

The market itself is small, and there are definitely some people who say, “That’s it?” But you really aren’t coming to this market for the “biggest and best of everything.” You’re coming for its unique location, the romantic atmosphere, and if you’re up for it, a really cool hike. Your time will be limited by your ticket, but you don’t need more than 2 hours to see everything and enjoy some food and drink.

We recommend combining this market trip with others in the area like Freiburg im Brisgau, Colmar or other locations in Alsace, or even Basel. But however you come, and whatever else you do, the Ravenna Gorge Christmas market is guaranteed to be one you will never forget.