Magdeburg has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. The best months to visit are May through September, when the city is pleasant for walking and the Elbauenpark and river promenades are at their best. Summer temperatures average 22-25°C with occasional hot spells.
The Christmas market on the Alter Markt is one of the better-regarded ones in Saxony-Anhalt, running through December. The Magdeburg Telemann Festival in spring (every two years) celebrates the composer Georg Philipp Telemann, who was born in the city in 1681 — a significant event in the city's cultural calendar.
Winter is grey and cold but not especially severe. The Gruson-Gewächshäuser (botanical greenhouses) are particularly appreciated in winter for their warm, tropical interiors.