Compiled by USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs
Events On Post
Monday, Nov. 10 to Friday, Dec. 12
Operation Angel Tree
- Help a child have a brighter holiday this year by picking a child or adult from The Angel Tree at the Panzer Main Exchange and purchasing holiday gifts for them! Drop off unwrapped gifts to the marked boxes at the Exchange by Dec. 12 and the Stuttgart Community Spouses’ Club will distribute those gifts to recipients.
Wednesday, Dec. 3
Patch Barracks Tree Lighting at Patch Chapel parking lot
4 p.m.
- Photo opps with Santa, caroling, food trucks, home-based businesses and hot cocoa followed by a tree lighting.
Kelley Barracks Tree Lighting at Parade Deck in front of Building 3314
5 p.m.
- Enjoy holiday music, hot cocoa, treats and Santa.
Friday, Dec. 5
Frosty Fest and Panzer Tree Lighting at Panzer Kaserne
Galaxy Bowling Center (Frosty Fest), Garrison Headquarters (Tree Lighting), and Panzer Fitness Center Turf Field (Army vs. Navy Game)
4 to 8 p.m.
- This year’s Frosty Fest features pics with St. Nick and fun for the whole family in the Galaxy Bowling Center from 4 p.m., a tree lighting at 5 p.m., and Army vs. Navy flag football at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy a festive evening packed with holiday cheer — from fun holiday trivia to photos with Santa and a festive holiday photo booth, there’s something for everyone!
Saturday, Dec. 6
Ugly Sweater Run 5K at Patch Barracks
9 a.m.
- Put on your kitschiest holiday sweater and join other community members for a frosty 5K around Patch Barracks. Don’t forget to dress tacky in your ugliest sweater. The tackier the better! Registration is $10 without a medal and $15 with a medal through Dec. 3. Same day registration is $15 without a medal and $20 with a medal the morning of the race. Event shirts are $15 while supplies last. Register at any Fitness Center or on Webtrac.
Sunday, Dec. 7
Robinson Barracks Tree Lighting at RB Zentrum (Building 168)
5 p.m.
- Enjoy selfies with Santa, a food truck, JROTC performances, games, baked goods, cocoa, and more!
Thursday, Dec. 11
Operation Sleigh Ride Salute
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- The Directorate of Emergency Services, in conjunction with the USO and Santa, will demonstrate its mobility, capabilities, and readiness with a ride through USAG Stuttgart’s four residential installations. Santa’s tour of USAG Stuttgart starts on Robinson Barracks around 9 a.m., continues onto Kelley Barracks around 11:25 a.m., arrives at Patch Barracks around 12:30 p.m. and ends on Panzer Kaserne around 2:30 p.m. All times are approximate based on traffic between installations.
Thursday, Dec. 18
Single and Unaccompanied Service Member Holiday Dinner by USO Stuttgart
6 to 8 p.m.
- Don’t miss out on the holidays just because you’re away from home and family! The USO is preparing a special celebration just for single unaccompanied community members with an incredible meal, gifts, and more! Registration is required and opens on Dec. 4. One ticket per attendee.
Sunday, Dec. 14 to Thursday, Jan. 1
Religious Services
- Throughout the winter holidays, the Religious Support Office will host services for a variety of faiths at USAG Stuttgart. Check out this article for more details.
Other Local Community Events
Our host nation is known for its Christmas markets and a comprehensive list would be extensive, but here is a small sample of a few unique markets in our local area. Nearby cities, towns, and villages also have their own celebrations, including Böblingen, Vaihingen, Möhringen, Sindelfingen and Schönaich.
Stuttgart Christmas Market
Wednesday, Nov. 26 to Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025
Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday/Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Conveniently located in the heart of Stuttgart at the Schlossplatz, visitors can purchase mulled wine, roasted almonds, and Swabian delicacies from 280 beautifully decorated stalls. This market features a children’s fairy tale land, a steam-powered mini railway, and an ice rink. Hockey and figure skates are available to rent. Daily concerts also take place in the courtyard of the Old Palace and on the steps in front of City Hall.
Esslingen Christmas Market
Tuesday, Nov. 25 to Monday, Dec. 22, 2025
Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Friday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Every year, the Esslingen Christmas Market and its medieval market in the Downtown Market Square attract thousands of visitors to the old town with its magnificent half-timbered houses and historic buildings. With around 200 Christmas stalls and approximately 500 program items, the old town of Esslingen is transformed into a unique Christmas atmosphere during the Christmas season. Performers and participants, including jugglers, fire-eaters, market criers, dress in imaginative or medieval-style costumes. Several stages offer themed entertainment. Enjoy mulled wine, punch, grilled food, original Swabian homemade Maultaschen, stick bread, gingerbread, almonds, crepes, tarte flambée, and other specialties. In addition, a large selection of gift ideas, Christmas items, jewelry, handicrafts, and much more are presented in the beautifully decorated Christmas stalls.
Ludwigsburg Baroque Christmas Market
Tuesday, Nov. 25 to Monday, Dec. 22, 2025
Daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- The symmetry and straight lines of Ludwigsburg’s streets and the gardens of its famous Baroque palace are reflected in the small Christmas town. Culinary delicacies such as waffles, chestnuts, gingerbread fresh from the oven, punch, and mulled wine are offered in an intoxicating atmosphere. But Swabian specialties such as Schupfnudeln (potato noodles) are also on offer. Shop fine paper and ceramic items, antique and modern Christmas tree decorations, woolen items, fine silk items, hand puppets, and nativity figures. There is an attractive stage program every day for visitors of all ages with performances by ventriloquists, clowns, magicians, puppeteers, marionette theaters, swing jazz and folk musicians, and atmospheric concerts with Christmas carols.
Nuremberg Christmas Market
Friday, Nov. 28 to Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025
Daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Christmas Eve, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- With roots traced back to the middle of the 16th century, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in the world. In wooden stalls, you will find traditional, often handmade Christmas decorations and sweet treats such as gingerbread. Additional attractions include the Children’s Christmas Market and the Star House, the Market of Twin Cities, and the Nuremberg Children’s Light Parade.
Baden Baden Christmas Market
Thursday, Nov. 27 to Tuesday, Jan. 6
Daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Christmas Eve, 11 am. to 3 p.m.
New Year’s Eve, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
New Year’s Day, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Epiphany (Jan. 6), 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- If you’ve been too busy to make it to a market in December, the Baden Baden Christmas Market is the perfect opportunity to partake in the Christmas spirit well into the new year. While Christmas markets in Germany traditionally coincide with the Advent season, shuttering up right around Christmas, Baden-Baden’s market just an hour and a half away from Stuttgart ends Jan. 6. Enjoy a wide variety of market stalls, a magical fairytale path, illuminated church windows, a nativity scene exhibition, a carousel and mini Ferris wheel, a Christmas bakery for children, and dine in gourmet igloos (must be reserved in advance).