Christmas Markets

Christmas time is coming to town! This holiday is a remembrance and anticipation in equal measure: in Germany, this feeling is celebrated for a period of over four weeks: Advent begins this year on Sunday 27th November and ends on Saturday 24th December – Christmas Eve. The days are short and the evenings are long, plenty of time for genuine cosiness, enjoyment and wonderful traditions from all regions. Discover the Christmas magic in one of the most visited countries in Europe, Germany! This country is the perfect destination, because it doesn't only offer a diverse and authentic variety of landscapes and destinations but is also the perfect destination for a unique Christmas experience. Every holiday season, Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmärkte) transform the main squares of the cities into what can only be described as winter wonderlands.

The names of German Christmas markets vary from region to region. Weihnachtsmarkt (plural Weihnachtsmärkte), regional variations are common for example in Dresden it is the Striezelmarkt, in Rothenburg the Reiterlesmarkt, while in most of Bavaria (and Austria) Christkindlmarkt is more common.

For centuries, Christmas markets brought cheer to weary villagers and added a touch of light and color to the long winter nights. The story begins in the late Middle Ages in parts of the former Holy Roman Empire. The precursor to Christmas markets is thought to be Vienna's Dezembermarkt (December Market), dating back to around 1296. Emperor Albrecht I granted shopkeepers the rights to hold a market for a day or two in early winter so that townspeople could stock up on supplies to last through the cold months. It was the winter markets that eventually became known as Christmas Markets.The earliest of which are claimed to be in Germany: Munich in around 1310, Bautzen in 1384, and Frankfurt in 1393.

The Christmas markets are a highlight for everyone, inviting you to take an atmospheric stroll through the alleys with festively decorated stalls. Picture yourself with a fragrant mulled wine (Glühwein) that warms your hands, the smell of freshly roasted almonds filling the air, while you are surrounded by wooden huts adorned with twinkling lights and a festive glow hangs over the entire city center. You can also get tasty grilled sausages, Lebkuchen biscuits, potato cakes and unique handmade wooden toys while the music cheers the spirit of this magnificent event.

My city of choice would be Berlin. The German capital offers a wide variety of Christmas markets all over the city, with different ambiances catering to all kinds of visitors.
Some markets start at the end of November, while other more local markets only take place over a single weekend during advent. Get the chance to see the largest palace in Berlin and the most romantic Christmas market at Charlottenburg Castle, or the more modest 16th century Jagdschloss at Grunewald provides a perfectly historic backdrop for a traditional Christmas market. Don't miss the Christmas lights on Kurfurstendamm or the Christmas Botanical Garden show.