Rostock Christmas Market Draws Positive Balance - Rostock’s city centre hits record 9.7 million visitors in 2024
Rostock’s city centre saw a record number of visitors in 2024, with nearly 9.7 million people walking along the western section of Kröpeliner Straße. The figures, collected using advanced laser technology, mark a 12% increase over 2023 and a 6% rise compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Officials described the year as both successful and peaceful for the area.
The data, analysed by the municipal statistics office, came from anonymised counts provided by hystreet.com GmbH Cologne. It focused specifically on the western stretch of Kröpeliner Straße, a key shopping and leisure area in the city.
The pre-Christmas period played a major role in boosting visitor numbers. Rostock’s Christmas market, held between 24 November and 22 December 2024, attracted nearly 1.5 million people. This accounted for over 15% of the annual total. Lord Mayor Eva-Maria Kröger highlighted the market’s broad appeal, drawing visitors from across Germany and beyond. Inga Knospe, managing director of the city-owned Großmarkt Rostock GmbH, also praised the event’s smooth organisation and positive atmosphere.
The 2024 figures confirm the growing popularity of Rostock’s city centre, particularly during the festive season. With a 12% jump in footfall compared to the previous year, the area has now surpassed even pre-pandemic visitor levels. The Christmas market remains a key factor in this upward trend.
