Ingolstadt in winter: Christmas markets, ice hockey, and cozy evenings
Between November and February, things quiet down in the old town. There is less hustle and bustle in the alleys, but in its place are strings of lights, mulled wine, and a side of the city that summer visitors never get to see. Whether you are here for business or pleasure, you will find more to do in winter than you might expect.
The Christmas Market
From the end of November, the city center transforms. The Ingolstadt Christmas Market brings mulled wine, handicrafts, and festive stalls to the old town, just a few minutes' walk from our apartments on Donaustraße. Many guests tell us that this is exactly what makes it so appealing: strolling through the market in the evening and then heading back to the warmth without needing a car, bus, or taxi.
By the way, the market is much more relaxed during the week than on the weekend.
Ice Hockey: ERC Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt is an ice hockey city. The ERC Panthers play in the top German league, and a home game at the Saturn Arena is an experience even for newcomers—it is loud, fast, and much closer to the action than you see on television. The arena is located south of the Danube and can be reached from the center on foot or by bike. For popular matchups, be sure to book your tickets in advance.
Museums for Cold Days
When the weather does not cooperate, Ingolstadt has plenty to offer indoors. The Bavarian Army Museum in the New Castle, the Museum of Concrete Art, the German Museum of the History of Medicine, or the Audi museum mobile—you can find details on the latter in our Visitor Guide to the Audi Forum. All of these venues are compact enough to explore in half a day.
The indoor swimming pool, just a few minutes' walk from Donaustraße, is also an underrated winter activity.
Dining in Winter
Bavarian cuisine really shines at this time of year: roasts, dumplings, and dark beer. You can find the best spots within walking distance in our article Dining in Ingolstadt. If you prefer to cook for yourself, the weekly market at Theaterplatz is open in winter as well, on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Learn more in our Shopping Guide for the Old Town.
The relaxing part
Winter evenings are meant to be savored. Instead of sitting on the edge of a hotel bed, you can relax on your own sofa, enjoy the convenience of a kitchen for tea or dinner, sleep in a premium bed, and have the historic old town right on your doorstep. For longer stays, be sure to check out our rates for extended stays .
And because winter can sometimes bring train delays or meetings that run late, our digital check-in allows you to arrive whenever it suits you. You can find out how it works in our article Digital check-in explained.
View apartments or book directly – no booking fees, with a discount for stays of 4 nights or more.
