Christmas Markets Germany PDF Print E-mail
Christmas Travels - Christmas Across Europe
 There are so many wonderful things to see and to do in Germany at Christmas. The tradition of decorating Christmas trees began in Germany in the 16th century. German Christmas market is a great way to get into the Germany Christmas spirit. For Germans Christmas is a family holiday with an abundance of decorations and gifts hitting the cities buildings are lit up, shop windows are decorated with German Christmas displays , and even german office walls are adorned with pictures of snowy landscapes.
The merry spirit of Christmas market in Germany is further enhanced by the fried almonds (Gebrannte Mandeln), Maronen (roasted chestnuts) and grilled sausages aromas. German Christmas markets date back to the 14th century. Nowadays almost every town in Germany has a Germany Christmas market and many vie to be unique. Some German markets last only a few days, but many begin in late November and close down right after Germany Christmas Eve on December 24th. You can visit them from 10 or 11 a.m. until 9 or 10 p.m. at night. While you're visiting, you might enjoy some great German Christmas market foods, such as hot fruit punch, "Stollen" traditional German Christmas bread with dried fruits, nuts, spices, and sugar icing, "Glühwein" hot spiced wine, hot chocolate, "Lebkuchen" gingerbread biscuits, sauteed mushrooms with sauces, baked potatoes (loaded), and more. Special items to look for include: glass ornaments, wooden ornaments, wooden toys, and German Christmas Pyramids.
Here is an overview of the best Christmas Markets in Germany.

Berlin Christmas Markets
 
Berlin is the capital of Germany and German Christmas markets. Berlin is home to 60 different Christmas markets, but the historic Berlin Christmas market at the Gendarmenmarkt (you have to pay admission to visit the Gendarmenmarkt) close to Friedrichstraße, is not to be missed. In Berlin Christmas market is held in front of Charlottenburg Castle, featuring the Biedermier period. Carrriage rides, themed exibits in the palace and specialised lighting call to mind the mid 19th century. If you can't get enough of the holiday spirit, visit Christmas markets in Berlin at Potsdamer Platz, Alexanderplatz, Unter den Linden. Christmas merchandise and gifts are plentiful : toys, wood carvings, marionettes, candles, lambskin shoes, crib figurines. Here a glass of Gluhwein and baked apples (Bratäpfel) will warm you up during crisp winter days. A visit to giant Winter World on Potsdamer Platz is a must to do. And enjoy the experience of skating and sledging. Entrance is free.

Frankfurt Christmas Markets

Frankfurt Christmas market occupy the entire Old town, stretching along the river bank all the way to the Frankfurt central station. Frankfurt food stalls serve steamy würstel sandwiches, sauerkraut and fried potatoes, while beautifully decorated stands and shops offer Frankfurt Christmas decorations, hand-made household knickknocks, and glass items. You will be amazed by Paulskirche, the gigantic Frankfurt Christmas tree, and its scenery of beautifully decorated stalls. Christmas Market in Frankfurt is located throughout the city centre at Roemerberg, Paulsplatz, Liebfrauenberg, Fahrtor, and Mainkai.
Don`t miss ice skating at the Eissporthalle.

Esslingen Christmas Market

Esslingen Christmas markets have torchlight procession and medieval concerts. Stallholders in historical attire proffer their wares just as they did many crnturies ago. Blcksmiths, glassblowers, dyers and felters give live demonstrations with additional entertainment provided by fire jugglers and minstrels.

Munich Christmas Market

In the city of Octoberfest there are many of these Christkindl Märkte or Munich Christmas Markets. Residence courtyard is a Christmas town with fairytale stories for kids. Christmas market in Munich are located at Marienplatz, Wittelsbacher Platz, Chinesischer Turm at Englischer Garten. In Christmas Munich you can enjoy Christkindltram ,a Christmas tram that runs only during advent through the city center every half an hour (departure is from Sendlingertor). The tram is nicely decorated, inside people can enjoy Christmas songs and mulled wine (Glühwein).

Cologne Christmas Markets

Visiting a Cologne Christmas market is a memorable experience. Each of the Christmas market in Cologne are unique in their different ways and they are located at Alter Markt, Cologne Cathedral, Neumarkt and Rudolfplatz. There is also a medieval Cologne Christmas market held at the Chocolate Museum and a Floating Cologne Christmas Market on board MS Wappen von Mainz (KD Riverboats) alongside the old quarter. As  Christmas Cologne things to do there are Nativity scene displays, many Christmas concerts and a temporary ice rink on Heumarkt.

Nuremberg Christmas Markets
 
Germany`s most famous is Nuremberg Christmas market takes place on the main square in the heart of the old town. The kind Nuremberg Christmas Angel with her white and golden dress, long blonde curls and golden crown, has been the market`s symbol and the focus of any charity activity and festive during Advent.
In stalls you can find fruit loaves, baked sweets handcrafts. Favourite Nuremberg souvenirs are wooden nutcrackers and Nurnberg plum people, and of course Nuremberg sausages
Last Updated on Monday, 07 February 2011 09:31