Ultimate Guide to the Christmas Markets in Germany

The Christmas markets in Germany are also known as Weihnachtsmarkte. It is one of the best and quite famous in the whole world. Well, there is even a reason for it. You will get an absolutely enchanting atmosphere when you visit that place. Immersing yourself in the atmosphere is one of the best moments, as everyone will be in the mood of the festive spirit. Apart from that, the major highlight of this place is that every market is based on deep cultural roots.

Another great thing about these Christmas markets is the backgrounds. They are truly amazing. Some of the markets are set right in front of medieval towns, crowded city squares or magnificent cathedrals. This way, the markets truly become an absolute magical winter wonderland every year.

If you want to visit you need to start exploring from the month of late November and entirely through December. You will be absolutely surprised to know that the entire German streets will come alive. All the markets will be decorated with great twinkling lights, people singing the famous cheerful carols, and not the least, the great aroma of delicious food, along with mulled wine and roasted chestnuts.

Hence, today we will discuss a bit about the history of the Christmas markets, how they will make us feel so much special and also a list of the best Christmas markets across the entire Germany. Also if you have any queries regarding German Schengen Visa, we will get that section covered before the end of this blog. Just relax and keep reading.

History of the Christmas markets

These Christmas markets in Germany started way back right from the late Middle ages. It is even told in history that some of the earliest markets started in the countries of Germany and Austria. At first, the markets used to be places just to gather around where all the locals could stock up the supplies and festive treats right ahead of the Christmas season. As time passed, the markets evolved into great celebrations. They even added some music and entertainment based on the unique traditions.

It is even recorded that one of the most old and famous markets is the Striezelmarkt in Dresden in the year 1434. Did you know that the market was named after a sweet bread called Striezel? The bread was later known as Stollen. This way, the market shows the festive spirit and great historical charm of the unique German Christmas traditions.

What is so much special about the Christmas Markets in Germany

The Christmas markets in Germany are greatly known for the magnificent combinations of great sights, soothing sounds, fantastic aromas and tastes. Here are some of the details:

Atmosphere
The decorations of the markets are truly enchanting. Once you visit, you will see how beautifully the wooden stalls are decorated with garlands, lights and astounding Christmas trees. The atmosphere will feel so cozy filled with festive ambiance. As mentioned before, most of these markets are set with the background of great historical landmarks; it just adds a layer of magical feel.

Traditional Crafts
It's a great time for Artisans and Craftsmen as this is the time they get to display their fabulous handmade goods such as ornaments, nutcrackers, wooden toys and candles. You can take these items as souvenirs or as gifts for your loved ones.

Delicious Food and Drinks
These places are a paradise for the food lovers. The visitors should definitely try these items:

Gluhwein: It is a warm, spiced mulled wine served in the special festive mugs.
Bratwurst: An excellent grilled sausages that is served in a bun or with tasty sauerkraut.
Lebkuchen: These are the traditional gingerbread cookies that are often heart-shaped and decorated.
Stollen: It is a cute fruitcake that is dusted and powdered with sugar, a perfect snack to have during your holidays.
Gebrannte Mandeln: These are candied almonds, which are a very sweet and crunchy treat.

Entertainment
Last but not least, the great thing about these markets is the live music. It consists of carol singing and puppet shows, which are quite common. These kinds of common features of the Christmas markets make it a great place for families and friends to visit. Some of the markets also have great ice skating rings, giant Ferris wheels and other great festive activities.

Top Christmas markets in Germany

Some of the most popular and great looking Christmas Markets in Germany are:

Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
This is one of the famous Christmas Markets in Germany that is located in Hauptmarkt, Nuremberg. You should definitely visit this place as it is one of the oldest and traditional markets. One of the major highlights of this market is the ritual of the golden angel, the Christkind. This is what officially opens the doors of all festivities. Another thing that the visitors shouldn’t miss is the Nuremberg Lebkuchen. It is a tiny-sized grilled Nuremberg sausage.

Dresden Striezelmarkt
This is another one of the fine Christmas markets in Germany that is located in Altmarkt, Dresden. One of the fascinating facts about this place is that this market has over 600 years of history. That is why this market has one of the most stunning decorations and is home to the world’s largest Stollen festival. You shouldn’t miss the amazing festive parade and the handcrafted ornaments in the stalls.

Cologne Christmas Markets
This is one of the magnificent Christmas markets in Germany that is located near the Cologne Cathedral and the other spots around the city. The Cologne Cathedral is itself a breathtaking sight. Now imagine a grand market with a tall Christmas tree surrounded by 150 wooden stalls; the market looks like a real fairy tale. After you explore this market, visit the other markets in Cologne, such as the Harbor Market and Angel’s Market, which have many diverse themes.

Munich Christmas Market
You cannot miss this one of the excellent Christmas markets in Germany, which is located at Marienplatz, Munich. You will have to go right to the centre of Bavaria. You get a great amount of tasty Bavarian treats and even uniquely designed handicrafts. There are even entertainments where the special one is the Krampus Run, which features performers who are dressed as mythical creatures. This truly adds an extra touch of excitement.

Frankfurt Christmas Market
Known for being one of the astounding Christmas markets in Germany, this market is located at Romerberg and St. Paul’s Square in Frankfurt. The place looks absolutely aesthetic with the illuminated stalls. There is even a historical backdrop. You get the perfect blend of regional foods and artisanal goods filled with holiday cheer.

Stuttgart Christmas Market
This market is located at the Schlossplatz and Marktplatz in Stuttgart. The place is famous for the grand decorations of the wooden huts. It is absolutely a visual treat. You can even try the local Swabian specialities and mind-blowing musical performances.

Hamburg Christmas Market
If you go to the Rathausmarkt, Hamburg in Germany, you will find this famous Christmas market. One of the highlights of this place is that there are various kinds of themed areas in the markets. This even includes the historic market and maritime-inspired section. Another thing that the visitors shouldn’t miss is the festive boat ride. It is really a kind of magical and immersive experience while sailing through Hamburg's canals.

Tips for visiting Christmas Markets

If you want to make your visit to the Christmas markets in Germany a comfortable one, we have a few set of tips for you:

Plan your trip: As we have mentioned before, most of the markets open in the late month of November and close exactly on Christmas Eve. This is why it is important that you check the specific dates and times before you make any plans to visit that place.

Bring Cash: Well, you can bring cards as some of the vendors allow that, but it is still best to carry cash to make small purchases like buying food or souvenirs.

Dress Warmly: The wintertime in Germany can be greatly chilly. So it is mandatory to pack warm clothing. Bring even hats and gloves to stay comfortable.

Go Early or Late: If you want to explore the Christmas markets with less crowds then try to visit the places in the morning or late evening on weekdays. As usual, weekends will be very much busier.

Collect Market Mugs: The famous Gluhwein mugs are a great item to collect. It features unique designs for each market and every year. Thus a great item to carry as a souvenir.

What is the importance of Christmas markets

The Christmas markets in Germany are not only known for their cheerful atmosphere. The markets do carry a huge amount of cultural significance. This is the time when people get together, follow the age old traditions and even a great time for skilled workers to sow the craftsmanship. The markets provide food for the table for the workers of the small business and artisans by the holiday sales.

In recent years, even the theme of sustainability has been a major highlight. This is why most of the markets now promise eco-friendly practices. They use recyclable materials and even support the local producers.

Get your professional help in getting the Germany Visa Appointment from UK

If you are facing any difficulty in getting a Germany Schengen Visa appointment to visit the Christmas markets in Germany, then fear not. Welcome to the GERMANY VISA UK. We have excellent and experienced staff to handle your problems to give you a stress free Visa experience. All you have to do is click on the Apply Online tab, then fill in the details on the form page. Our staff works day and night to get you the well-deserved Visa. Hence, we provide a service charge. It would be really nice if you could pay the service charge before submission. Our executives will get back to you immediately to discuss the documents and then proceed with booking your Visa appointment date. Hence, our motto is to give you top-quality Visa service.

Conclusion

Thus, you can absolutely say that visiting the Christmas markets in Germany will be a great, memorable experience. It truly captures the real magic of the holiday season. And why not? As the entire place gets illuminated with the glow of lights, accompanied by the magnificent aroma of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, each and every moment feels like you have been inside a book of a fairytale. Whatever your niche is, a history lover, a food lover, or just playing along with the festive cheer, there is always something for everyone at these markets.

Don’t wait anymore; get your Germany Schengen Visa today and pack your bags so that you can head straight to the country.

FAQs

1. What can I buy at German Christmas markets?
You get a great amount of items to purchase. Starting from Handmade ornaments and decorations. There are wooden toys and nutcrackers. For decoration you have candles and lanterns. There will be some traditional Jewelry and accessories. And last but not the least the regional delicacies. Most famous are the gingerbread and mulled wine mugs.

2. Do I need to pay an entry fee to visit Christmas markets?
Well. it depends. Most Christmas markets in Germany are free to enter.However, there can be a small entry fee to see the special attractions such as the ice skating rinks or guided tours.

3. What is Gluhwein? Is it possible to get non-alcoholic alternatives?
One of the traditional German mulled wines is called Gluhwein. It is prepared from red wine, spices and citrus. Now coming to the non-alcoholic options, you can try the Kinderpunsch in the market. It is a spiced fruit punch that is absolutely perfect for children or any person who wants to avoid alcohol.

4. Are Christmas markets accessible for non German speakers?
Yes, absolutely. The Christmas markets in Germany are very much tourist friendly. Most of the vendors speak English. The signs and menus will always be displayed in bilingual. So it will be easy for all the visitors all around the world to enjoy the experience.