The Durham German Market is 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, at Durham Central Park: 100+ artisan vendors, gluhwein, brats and a tree contest.

Last checked Oct. 25, 2026. Facts come from the organizer’s Durham German Market website and its listing on the Downtown Durham calendar. This page is updated for each year’s market at the same address.

The Durham German Market is on for 2026: 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St. The organizers promise “one magnificent night of shopping under the twinkle of thousands of lights,” with more than 100 artisan vendors.

Know before you go

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. One night only.
  • Where: Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St., downtown Durham
  • Admission: not stated on the market’s website or listing
  • Organizer: Wildly Inclusive Learning Collective, DGM@WildlyInclusiveLC.com
  • Parking: downtown decks and street parking; see getting around Durham

What is at the market

From the market’s website and its calendar listing:

  • Shopping: more than 100 artisan vendors.
  • Food and drink: gluhwein (mulled wine), German beer, brats and brezels, plus hot chocolate.
  • Live performances through the evening.
  • Lights: “thousands of lights” across the park.

The market is presented by the Wildly Inclusive Learning Collective. Its logo dates the market to 2024. Vendors apply through the market’s website.

Tree decorating contest

The tree decorating contest runs alongside the market:

  • Entry: $25 a tree, with a sliding scale; email the organizers for details.
  • Set-up: trees go up in the market area from 1 p.m. on Dec. 5, decorated ahead or on site.
  • Voting: visitors vote online for their favorite during the market, and the trees stay lit all evening.
  • Prizes: the top three trees win, with a large gift basket for first place.
  • Wrap-up: breakdown starts at 8:30 p.m.

Getting there and parking

Durham Central Park is at 501 Foster St. in downtown Durham. The market’s website does not publish parking or road closure plans. City parking decks, the fare-free GoDurham buses and the downtown parking rules are on our getting around Durham page, and any street closures for the evening will be on our road construction and closures page.

The Durham Farmers’ Market uses the same park pavilion on Saturday mornings, including Dec. 5; its winter hours are on our farmers markets page.

What this means for you

  • Put Saturday, Dec. 5, on the calendar; the market runs one evening only.
  • Food, drink and shopping are paid for at the stalls; bring a way to pay.
  • Want to enter a tree? Sign up through the market’s tree contest page before the day.

More holiday events: holiday lights and Christmas events, the Christmas parade and tree lighting and holiday shopping in Durham.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Durham German Market in 2026?

Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St., according to the market’s website. It is a one-night event.

What is at the Durham German Market?

The organizers list more than 100 artisan vendors, thousands of lights, live performances, gluhwein, German beer, brats and brezels, with mulled wine and hot chocolate.

Does the Durham German Market cost anything to get in?

The market’s website and its Downtown Durham calendar listing do not give an admission price. Food, drink and vendors’ goods are paid for separately.

How do I enter the tree decorating contest?

Groups sponsor a tree for $25, with a sliding scale, and set it up from 1 p.m. on market day. Visitors vote for their favorite during the market, and the top three win prizes.