German Christmas Market
German Christmas markets are a kaleidoscope of colors and lights. These are street markets that are typically held in town squares and spill over into adjacent pedestrian zones.
There are Christmas markets all more than Europe, but the tradition of Christmas markets in Germanic speaking parts of Europe seems to go back to the Middle Ages.
The markets typically coincide with the Christian “season” of Advent which begins on the fourth Sunday before December 25, so…. Starting about the last week of November, you will locate the Market Squares in a lot of German cities transformed.
Lights twinkle, and the aroma of mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and savory grilled German sausages fills the air. Who wouldn’t really feel festive? There is music and conventional dancing. Open air stalls sell every thing you can imagine related to standard German Christmas celebrations.
You will uncover Nativity scenes, nutcrackers, candle arches (Schwibbogen), candle pyramids, and those Christmas trees with the wooden curls…. All of those are to buy, but you may possibly even find the town decorated with town-size versions of all of these! Every city or town has it’s own traditions and specialties. There is so significantly to pick from.
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Frankfurt is a great city to fly into, and it has one of the oldest Christmas Markets in Germany. It started in 1393. On Romerberg Square, Paulsplatz and Mainkai Quay you’ll find hundreds of stalls selling arts, crafts and seasonal food and drink.
Munich is yet another city you can fly into. You can most likely discover everything you want on the principal square at Marienplatz. You can also visit the marketplace in Schwabing. Artists and artisans have held a Christmas Market here going back 1,200 years.
Berlin is Germany’s capital again. It looks like a fairytale land at Christmas with around 60 standard Christmas markets! There are endless shopping opportunities, concerts, and lots of food and drink.
Dresden has a thriving Christmas Market tradition that dates back to 1434. They bake an huge “Stollen” cake… four tons of cake! It is the centerpiece of a grand parade, and at the end, it is cut and ceremoniously handed around.
In the Romantic Road town of Rothernberg ob der Tauber, you’ll find an enchanted Christmas wonderland. There are Christmas shops and a Christmas Museum open in town all year long in case you cannot get there at Christmas. Simply because this is such a cute small town, it’s 1 of the prettiest German Christmas Markets. Kids have fun in the “Gingerbread Residence”.
Large cities have huge markets, but don’t overlook the smaller ones, they are just as magical. No matter which you pick, you can get away from mass marketed toys and decorations. Days are brief, but that just makes the twinkling lights a lot more magical. Nights are crisp, but that makes the mulled wine and traditional foods much more appealing.
If you want to go to one of the German Christmas Markets, remember it is going to be cold, so take plenty of warm clothes. You ought to make reservations well in advance in the smaller towns. Be ready for crowds, but keep in mind, everybody will be festive and you will have enjoyable.