Christmas markets in Germany are an integral part of German culture. Here are the 5 most beautiful Christmas markets. Find out when they will start operating in 2021.
The Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmarkt) in Germany are very popular and are an integral part of German culture. At festively decorated stalls sellers offer handicrafts, palates enjoy Christmas pastries, mulled wine and regional specialities. Christmas sounds of choirs and brass bands create the musical setting.
The most famous is the Christmas market in Nuremberg (Christkindlmarkt) opened by the Baby Jesus and the Striezelmarkt in Dresden, which takes its name from its characteristic Christmas strudel. After one year of break, most Christmas markets in Germany will be held, but due to restrictions, planned events may be cancelled even at the last moment.
Christmas markets in Germany: the top 5 worth visiting
Baby Jesus fair in Nuremberg
On November 29, the famous Nuremberg fair opens on the main square in the historic old town. In this amazing Christmas village you will find a medieval atmosphere, original Nuremberg gingerbread, Nuremberg roasted sausages and the world’s largest punch pot.
Romantic Advent and Christmas concerts, traditional nativity plays in the baroque church of St. Giles and on Spitalgasse, an exhibition of historic stalls in the town hall, Christmas for children at Hans-Sachs-Platz, a star house at the monastery of St. Catherine’s Church, the town fair of the twin towns on the Rathausplatz, the craft fair in the craftsmen’s courtyard, the light parade to the castle, the stagecoach rides – Nuremberg guarantees Christmas attractions at every turn.
The fair is open daily from November 26 to December 24, from 10:00 to 21:00. On Christmas Eve, the fair will be open from 10:00 to 14:00.
The “Striezelmarkt” fair in Dresden
The Dresden Striezelmarkt is one of the oldest and largest Christmas markets in Germany, named after the Strietzel, the famous original Dresden Christmas strudel.
During the opening ceremony of the market, the world’s largest 14-meter high Christmas pyramid is set in motion and the Christmas strudel is cut. There are also countless holiday attractions: Pflaumentoffel’s house, a man made of prunes, a gingerbread house, a fairy tale house, a Christmas bakery, a cinema leprechaun, a puppet theatre with an Advent calendar and a selection of a gingerbread princess.
A real feast for the eyes and ears are the numerous Christmas music and dance performances. A great enormity of impressions await the guests during a number of holidays before Christmas – the Strucla Festival takes place here, during which from Zwinger to the Striezelmarkt there is a parade with a huge strudel, which is solemnly cut and distributed there, Pflaumentoffel Festival, Gingerbread Festival, Pyramid Festival, Feast Candlestick and traditional Saxon Christmas mining.
The fair is open from November 24 to December 24, from 10:00 to 21:00, on Christmas Eve until 14:00
The Child Jesus Fair in Munich
Around the Marienplatz square with the historic town hall, the traditional “Munich Baby Jesus Fair” is held. A few steps further, you can go to the “Kripperlmarkt”, the largest market in Germany, where decorations for nativity scenes are sold. You can buy everything that might be useful for making your own nativity scene. Live music is played daily from the town hall balcony, emphasising the Advent mood.
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During the organised “Heavenly Workshops” children dressed in shiny robes with golden wings transform into little angels and bake gingerbread, paint and create various art works.
The fair is open from November 22 to December 24, from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00, on Sundays from 10:00 to 20:00. Read on under the photo.
Fair at the Cologne Cathedral
A Christmas market with 150 handicraft pavilions is held against the background of the Cologne Cathedral, the city’s greatest symbol. The cathedral can be admired here not only in its original form, but also in the form of Dom-Speculatius, i.e. delicious cookies depicting the cathedral. You will surely enjoy your eyes here with a huge Christmas tree with thousands of lights shining.
The fair is open from November 22 to December 23 from 10:00 to 22:00.
Christmas market in Frankfurt am Main
The Frankfurt Christmas Market is the oldest (since 1393) and one of the most beautiful of its kind. There are plenty of Christmas market stalls on the Römerberg square, Paulsplatz and on the waterfront Main.
The fair is open from November 22 to December 22, from 10:00 to 21:00, on Sundays from 11:00 to 21:00.