Christmas Market. We didn’t see it, but apparently at a local festival called Trachtenfest, the town blacksmith will challenge you to a drink by dunking his red-hot iron into your beer, daring you to chug the whole thing. I aim to inspire people to find ways to fit more travel and adventure into the lifestyle they already have. – Submitted by Carol-Anne of Dream Big, Travel Far. Set in the beautiful old town, the event called the Christmas Market of Nations, or Rüdesheimer Weihnachtsmarkt der Nationen, includes a collection of over 120 stalls spread around the Marktstrasse (Market Street) into Droselgasse, the heart of the city, and through to Rhine Street. “Cullman has a strong German heritage, and … Like many larger cities in Germany, Cologne doesn't host just one Christmas market. This charming market is held in the Marktplatz dominated by two Baroque churches on either end of the market square. Kassel is the heart and soul of Germany's fairy tale route. Learn how your comment data is processed. - JRR Tolkien. 2021 dates are Friday 12/3 from 12pm to 9pm, Saturday 12/4 from 10am to … Pinned! Want a traditional Christmas market with a twist? Here's a map of all the markets included on this list: And now, on to the best Christmas markets in Germany! You'll find 180 wooden huts selling everything from the traditional Prune Men that decorate Nurembergers houses at Christmastime to the Original Nuremberger that can only be named as such if they are produced within the city limits and weigh precisely 23 grams. Living in Bavaria, We were smack-dab in the midst of the quaintest, quirkiest, and even oldest Christmas markets in Germany. You have to be patient to really taste its richness. Trier was my favorite because of many Roman sites in the city. One of my favorite things to do is get lost along the cobble lanes and in the boutique shops. Twas a month before Christmas and all through the land, the season kicked off at a gingerbread stand… In some cases, at a Lebkuchen stand at the Christkindlemarkt in Nuremberg, one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany.Nobody has Christmas here without Lebkuchen, the city’s gingerbread, and it’s hard to resist a market to … One of the largest and oldest Christmas markets in all of Germany, the Frankfurt Christmas Market, or Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt, is a massive event that covers a vast area in the center of the city, from the Hauptwache square to the banks of the river Main. There are pilgrimages every year that bring thousands of people on foot to this chapel, which belongs to the Shrines of Europe and ranks in the same league as Fatima, Loreto or Lourdes. German Christmas traditions are rooted in a culture of craftsmen and artisan guilds. Seven Christmas different markets in Cologne attract millions of visitors to the city on the Rhine every year. You'll want to try the Rüdesheim Coffee, which is made with locally distilled Asbach Uralt Brandy and whipped cream, and also check out the life-size Nativity scene on the market square, which is said to be the biggest in Europe. Enjoy the scenery of the New City Hall and the Munich Christmas tree … Go to Munich for the Christmas markets and you won’t be disappointed. If you are not a fan of those, make sure to grab one of the yummy hot chocolates sold near the Market Church instead. Join the ADB Community! From traditional wooden crafts and local delicacies, “white” mulled wine and a wide range of Christmas gifts and souvenirs for you to bring home, the magical spirit of Christmas turns the village into a true Christmas postcard. The Christmas market was small but it wasn’t nearly as crowded and very relaxing. Why is it so special? Christmas Markets River Cruises | 2021 Christmas Market River Cruises The best way to enjoy and experience the Christmas Markets River Cruises of Germany & Austria is by any one of the Christmas Markets River Cruises we offer below... 2021 Christmas Markets River Cruises have already been selling out space since this past summer, but we can still find you some space … You can also find a lot of medieval-themed dishes such as meat sticks and freshly baked bread. Thanks again for the post! Wander the stalls and admire the adorable fairy tale decorations as you indulge in a number of glühwein flavors and incredible eats. Wow! It gets cold (I mean very cold), so dress for the occasion. Visitors can stroll around the 40-something huts selling Christmas-themed handicrafts and local delicacies such as flammkuchen, a German-style pizza. Look for the stand with a wide variety of fruity mulled wine, and order either Elvesfire or Dragonsfire – they’re the best. Ever wondered what it's like to visit a German Christmas Market? Germany's Christmas traditions take centre stage today as we Dive Into Culture and wander through Dresden's Striezelmarkt, Germany's oldest Christmas market. I enjoyed a pick-me-up snack of empanadas and falafels. These craftsmen use fascinating techniques to create folk art from solid wood. Deep in the Black Forest you'll find the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market. In Germany, the onset of winter brings one of my favorite seasons of the year – Christmas market season! Berlin is bursting with brilliant Christmas markets. Maybe it'll be the classic tale of Hanzel and Grettel? I’d argue it’s one of the best, too. Christmas Markets 2019 - For the original, traditional and authentic Christmas Markets visit Germany. Even the wooden stalls themselves are made of regionally sourced spruce, and at least 30 of the wooden huts themselves were originally constructed in 1890. The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, or Nuremberg Christmas Market, is arguably Germany's most famous Christmas market. Treat yourself by staying at one of the best boutique hotels in Berlin! Address. However, the most iconic one is the market in front of the old city hall. If you can't manage to make it to Frankfurt until after Christmas and the main markets are gone, you can head over to Hofheim, where there's a market that stays around until early January. Since 1434, this market has spread its beautiful charm every single year over the Altmarkt (old market square in the historic center of Dresden), becoming a big attraction for both locals and tourists alike. And one you simply must visit is the Christmas market located at Potsdamer Platz (better known as Winterwelt). 2020 Cologne Christmas market info: Planned for November 23 – December 23; hours may vary at different markets. The Christmas market in Rüdesheim am Rhein is definitely a must. Munich's Christmas market on the Marienplatz is the oldest and largest in Bavaria's capital. But the impulse is understandable. – Submitted by Jennifer of Luxe Adventure Traveler. Among the Top Travel Blogs on the Planet. Since this is located in the heart of Munich, it is the easiest for tourists to reach and, as such, is the most crowded. 2020 Goslar Christmas market info: Tentatively canceled for 2020. Like most Germany Christmas markets, expect to find sweet stalls, sausages, gluhwein, and lots of happy faces! This was definitely true in the town of Speyer, an historic city on the Rhine River. It didn’t take long until the market grew thanks to salesmen and craftsmen who came from the area around Dresden. One of the largest and oldest Christmas markets in all of Germany, the Frankfurt Christmas Market, or Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt, is a massive event that covers a vast area in the center of the city, from the Hauptwache square to the banks of the river Main. On Christmas Eve and New Years Day (and other seemingly random times), costumed men shoot black powder guns over the town. (function() { Christmas is a beloved season in Hamburg and the city welcomes several Christmas markets, including the main one, the Weihnachtsmarkt, which is held in front of the Town Hall. "It's a dangerous business, going out your door. While there are many Hamburg hostels, not all of them are created equal. As such, the Advent season sees the Kapellplatz square, which features several churches and Baroque buildings, turn into a village of wooden stalls and nicely illuminated Christmas trees. However, Esslingen was special because it combined a beautiful German town dating back to 1000 B.C. This beautiful market dates back to the 1400s and features hundreds of stalls selling German treats, handmade crafts, Christmas ornaments, and décor. Hi Amanda, thanks for the lovely collection and inspiration. The number one thing you have to eat at the Christmas Markets, especially … In my experience of 7 or 8 different markets, Dresden is the best. (This event is cancelled in 2020 due to COVID) The Kris … Then you can go to a romantic market set in the middle of a palace, and at another you can overlook the Danube and Dom while petting sheep and drinking a Feuerzangenbowle (mulled wine with a rum soaked sugar cube lit on fire!). At one, you might get the traditional finds of a Christmas market (ornaments, trinkets, ets) but at another it may be a local artisan market with homemade jewelry and pottery. A forerunner to the Christmas markets Germany has become famous for, was the ‘December market’ in Vienna, recorded in history as far back as 1294. 2020 Regensburg Christmas market info: Planned for November 22 – December 23; hours are 10 a.m.-8 or 9 p.m. daily. It is organized by Roncalli and its motto is “Kunst statt Kommerz” – art instead of commerce. She didn’t mention Düsseldorf in the article, but we’ve found it to be really nice as far as big city markets go. One of my favorite Christmas markets in Germany is not a big one – which is exactly what makes it so charming. In pre-pandemic times, Germany’s famed Christmas markets would be springing to life this time of year. If not, return it and get your deposit (pfand) back. Hamburg is incredibly festive during the holiday season, and you will find Christmas markets all over the city in December. Open annually from the Friday before Thanksgiving to December 23rd; beginning at 11:00am daily! There are sports games, fires, ice skating, and lots of food and drinks. I lived in Ulm fir a year and a half and it has a nice Christmas market right next to the tallest church in the world! That will be amazing, and they will be so easy to get to if you’re living in the UK! You can find it in the small Bavarian town of Altötting. https://www.momcandothis.com/german-christmas-market-recipes Whether it’s the tiny Nuremburger sausages that you could easily pop by the dozen or a thick Thuringian rostbratwurst in a bun with mustard, you’re spoiled for choice wurst-wise at any German Christmas market. 2020 Stuttgart Christmas market info: Planned for November 25 – December 23. Along with the usual market staples, the Speyer market is unique in that it includes stalls that are hosted by eight towns from around the world that are “twinned” with Speyer. You'll find classic fare like roasted chestnuts and sweet Eiserpunsch with gingerbread cookies, plus delicious mulled Elvesfire wine. There are ample food options to lure you as you wander around, from slow cooked pork to roasted corn and meat pockets. At over 600km long as it runs from Bremen to Hanau, the route pays homage to the iconic Brothers Grimm fables. Germany is known for it's wonderful sausage and the Christmas markets bring out the best. Each market has a different vibe or theme – and each one has its own Christmas market mug for you to collect! One of the highlights of the market is undeniably the tall Christmas tree, and you will love perusing through the 160 wooden huts while sampling a variety of Christmas treats and delicious specialties. From the delicious roasted nuts, hot Glühwein served in festive cups, and traditional Sausage Wurst. 2020 Rothenburg Christmas market info: Planned for November 27 – December 23. 2020 Nuremberg Christmas Market info: Planned for November 27 – December 24; hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. Many say that the main highlight, however, is the traditional parade for St. Thomas’ Night on 20 December, so make sure to be there. Don’t forget to bring your little ones to Santa’s Grotto when they can sit on his lap and whisper their wishes in his ear. ... A Guide to the Best Christmas Markets in Germany – 2021. You’ll not run out of delicious food and drink to try at this market. Web Visit website. A local speciality is the “Sterntaler,“ a crumpet in the form of a star. Site by Performance Foundry, Travel looks very different right now depending on where you're from and where you're going. It is also very popular for people from Belgium, Netherlands and France, so kind of international 🙂. We would recommend heading to the nearby Residenz, the former home of Munich royalty. All Rights Reserved | The German Christmas Market is a magical place that comes to life in the heart of Old Québec, a few weeks before Christmas. RELATED: Christmas Markets with Viking River Cruises: What’s It Really Like? A forerunner to the Christmas markets Germany has become famous for, was the ‘December market’ in Vienna, recorded in history as far back as 1294. As such, several traditions go hand in hand with the market, including the Rothenburg Rider, which was thought to be a messenger from another world, who used to fly through the skies, carrying the souls of the dead in winter. The Kassel Christmas Market embraces this and chooses a different tale for the theme each year. Your email address will not be published. Christmas 2018 we went to Trier, Germany and the Christmas market there was amazing. The Speyer Christmas market is also one of a few that extends into January, meaning you can enjoy it even after the holidays. Let us take you on a tour of Germany’s best Christmas markets and what makes each of them special. However, it's the city's Christmas Markets that make it truly a must-visit, especially for anyone looking for memorable Christmas Markets. Instead, Cologne has up to 8 different Christmas markets each Advent season. Nowadays, you will find around 200 huts and stands from different vendors, featuring everything from wood crafts to local foods. The Christmas market on Nuremberg's Main Market Square can be traced back to documents first mentioning it in the year 1628, but Nurembergers believe it dates back even further. After all, wurst are a German Christmas Market classic, with a dizzying amount of variety on offer. Ranging from small community Christmas bazaars to full-fledged municipal markets, there is surely one you will fall in love with. I love them, too! Germany’s The Advent Market at Spitalgarten is less touristy than the other Christmas markets happening in the city. – Submitted by Mark Wyld from Wyld Family Travel. “The idea for the Christmas pyramid came from the Christmas Markets in Germany,” the mayor said. The main Christmas market is in Marienplatz, the main town square, beautifully laid out below the towering glockenspiel and town Christmas tree. The big question in 2020 is whether the German Christmas markets will even happen this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The most famous of Dresden’s Christmas markets is the so called Striezelmarkt. If you need a break from shopping, there’s a merry-go-round and puppet shows for the little ones, or you can take a short walk to the breath-taking Ludwigsburg Residential Palace where you can join one of the many guided tours. Bremen is home to two amazing Christmas Markets. There were special winter markets mentioned way back in the 1300s! Click here to read more.