Steam Train Trip to the Heidelberg Christmas Markets

About this event

The trip begins at Darmstadt’s main station, where steam locomotive 23 042 from the 1950s, hauling a rake of authentic passenger coaches, sets off with a hearty whistle. Through the window the wintry Hessian and Baden countryside rolls by – an hour of relaxed steam-train atmosphere, with a small bistro car serving drinks and snacks. Once in Heidelberg, a short tram ride lands you at Bismarckplatz, the gateway to the Old Town that strings together five distinct Christmas markets along the Hauptstraße. At Universitätsplatz a towering Christmas pyramid doubles as a mulled-wine bar; on Marktplatz a wooden giant barrel with a spinning Perkeo figure entertains the crowd and Father Christmas poses for photos. The Kornmarkt turns into a twinkling Winterwäldchen with over 100 fir trees, white pavilions and a lovingly crafted nativity scene, where a kiddie train shuttles children around while others lace up skates on the real-ice rink at Karlsplatz, all with a view up to the illuminated castle. Stalls sell handmade crafts, roasted almonds, waffles and plenty of Glühwein – enough to fill an afternoon and early evening at your own pace. In the evening the steam train carries you back to Darmstadt. The mood on the return journey is usually mellow and festive, with the lights of the Bergstraße flickering past the window.