Deutsches Weihnachtsmuseum
Museum on the history of Christmas in Rothenburg ob der Tauber – with historic tree decorations, nutcrackers and pyramids.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The idea for the museum arose in the context of the Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas business, which opened its “Christmas Village” in Rothenburg ob der Tauber in 1981. Harald Wohlfahrt wanted to show how Christmas was celebrated by earlier generations and began collecting historic festive decorations. This gave rise to the German Christmas Museum, which today is run by a separate limited company owned by the family of entrepreneurs.
The exhibition rooms are on the first floor of the building at Herrngasse 1 in the old town, directly above the year-round Christmas shop; access leads through the shop. Over about 250 square metres, part of the collection is on display, consisting mainly of pieces from the period between about 1870 and 1950.
On show are Christmas tree ornaments made of glass, cotton wool, tragacanth, tin and Lyonese wire, Christmas tree stands, Advent calendars and wreaths, Christmas postcards, paper nativity scenes, as well as incense smokers, candle arches and pyramids from the Ore Mountains. The exhibition also explains how figures such as Saint Nicholas, the Christkind and Santa Claus developed and what role craft regions such as Thuringia, the Ore Mountains or the Bavarian Forest played in German Christmas decorations.
Highlights
- Historic Christmas tree ornaments made of glass, cotton wool and tragacanth
- Nutcrackers, incense smokers and Ore Mountain pyramids
- Advent calendars and Christmas postcards from 1870 to 1950
- The development of Saint Nicholas, the Christkind and Santa Claus
- Location above the Christmas Village in Rothenburg's old town
Permanent exhibition
- Dauerausstellung zur Geschichte des Weihnachtsfests – Historic Christmas decorations from the 19th to the 20th century – from glass baubles and cotton wool figures to pyramids and candle arches – and the development of Christmas customs in Germany.
- Founded
- 2000
- Operated by
- Deutsches Weihnachtsmuseum GmbH
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4Pensioners, students, people with a severe disability card |
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 11 years €2. |
| Seniors | €4Discount for pensioners. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €4Discount with a severe disability card. |
| Students & apprentices | €4 |
| Groups (20+ people) | €3.50 per personPer person for groups of 20 or more. |
| Families | €112 adults with children up to 14 years. |
Guided tours cost an additional €40 per group.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
According to the operator, the museum is not wheelchair accessible; access is via a small flight of steps in the Christmas Village.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum is on the first floor above Käthe Wohlfahrt's Christmas Village; the entrance is inside the shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Private guided tours (about one hour) for groups of up to 25 people on request via booking form, email or phone; fee €40 per group plus admission. |
Museums nearby
Historiengewölbe mit Staatsverlies
Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum
Grafikmuseum im Dürerhaus
Alt-Rothenburger Handwerkerhaus
RothenburgMuseum
Schäfertanzmuseum
All 8 museums in Rothenburg ob der Tauber All museums in Bavaria
