Christmas markets in Germany
When the weather starts getting cold and the nights long it's understandable to want to bundle up and stay warm inside. The Christmas season in Germany, however, is no time to stay indoors. Every major German city and even most small towns host a Weihnachtsmarkt, or Christmas market. The smaller ones are held for just a weekend and those in the cities last through most of December.
Nürnberger Weihnachtsmarkt
The Weihnachtsmärkte are held outside in the town square or pedestrian-only areas. Depending on the city, they can go on for what seems like forever, with decorated booths selling Christmas ornaments, Nussknacker or hand-carved nutcrackers, specialty foods, and celebratory drinks. The air smells of mulled spices, hot apple cider, roasted chestnuts, and Lebkuchen gingerbread cookies.
Many people will be bundled up in their winter coats, gloves, and scarves, drinking the famous Glühwein, hot mulled wine from mugs inscribed with the city and year and a motif of the city. The Glühwein is often enjoyed with a shot of brandy which some believe keeps you warm on December's cold, dark evenings. The mug is usually kept as a souvenir to remember that year’s Christmas.
In addition to hand-carved Nussknacker, many other homemade crafts and toys are for sale. Traditional clothing, handmade jewellery, beeswax candles, and
speciality household items are just some of what's available.
Especially famous Christmas markets are hosted by Nuremberg and Dresden. First held in 1628, Nuremburg’s market is believed to be one of the oldest in Germany next to Dresden, the oldest Christmas market. Many foreign visitors as well as Germans visit their nearby Weihnachtsmarkt for some Christmas cheer and to scout-out those special gifts. Regardless of where the market is, it’s a time of joy and celebration.
Here is a selection of some of the Xmas markets throughout Germany:
Dresden
Striezelmarkt
Until Dec. 24
This year Germany’s oldest Christmas market, Dresden's Striezelmarkt is celebrating its 574th market. The city of Dresden was first mentioned in a medieval text more than 800 years ago and the first Dresden Striezelmarkt, or Christmas market, was held in 1434. The Striezelmarkt is held at the old marketplace.
Many traditional, hand painted wood-carvings will be on sale from the nearby Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge), famous for their many Christmas traditions. These include wooden angels, nutcrackers, the pipe-smoking Räuchermännchen with their incense cones, wooden toys, and Schwibbogen, wooden arcs resembling a mining entrance with candles. Hand painted glass balls and other Christmas tree ornaments will also be at the market.
Additionally, local culinary specialties will be available. The famous Dresdner Christstollen, a yeast cake with raisins and a powder-sugar frosting, lends its local name, Striezel, to that of the market. Pusnitzer Pfefferkuchen, a special kind of gingerbread, is also enjoyed. At the beginning of December, Dresden’s bakers bring in a special Christstollen from a baroque kennel weighing around three tons to the market.
The largest Christmas pyramid in the world at a record height of 14 meters is the focal point of the market. The wooden pyramid is a kind of a carousel of several levels adorned with hand painted figurines depicting Christmas or folk motifs and wooden figures holding candles. The pyramid spins from the rising heat of the candles that twirls a propeller at the top. A special procession is held around the pyramid with Christmas folk music.
http://www.dresden.de/Striezelmarkt
Nuremberg Hauptmarkt Until Dec. 24
One of the oldest Christmas markets, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, or Christ Child markets, as the Bavarian Christmas markets are called, is the most famous and popular of Germany’s Christmas markets. The first Nuremberg Christmas market was held in 1628. With 140 retailers selling their handcrafts, in 1737 nearly all of the city’s woodcarvers, blacksmiths, and jewellers were present.
Today’s Christkindlmarkt features more than 160 stalls selling traditional crafts and Christmas gifts. The famous Frauenkirche church is illuminated in the background. http://www.christkindlesmarkt.de
Frankfurt Weihnachtsmarkt Until Dec. 22
Frankfurt’s Christmas market is held with the backdrop of the picturesque Römer town hall and old town square which serves as its focal point. A large Weihnachtsbaum or Christmas tree is traditionally decorated in the square. The Frankfurt Christmas market hosts around 200 stands offering traditional handicrafts and foods. Around 3 million people attend the market each year.
http://www.Weihnachtsmarkt-deutschland.de/Weihnachtsmarkt-frankfurt.html
Ludwigsburger Barock Weihnachtsmarkt Until Dec. 22 
This small market near Stuttgart in Ludwigsburg was once a secret tip for southern Germans, however, the word has gotten out. The Barock-Weihnachtsmarkt is held in the baroque town market square surrounded by arcades. The exquisite atmosphere and illumination of the square have made their way onto postcards and shopping bags.
http://www.ludwigsburg.de/static/04P/04P/1/1/l1/index.html
