Germany is a fabulous country to visit any time of the year, but it's particularly lovely
during the late fall and early winter months.
Germany is a nation that knows how to celebrate.
Take Oktoberfest, for example.
No one could ever accuse the Germans of not knowing how to have a good time.
Many of our viewers may be considering taking a trip out to Deutschland to experience some
of the country's world-famous yuletide cheer.
With Christmastime quickly approaching, you may also be wondering about what some of the
best German Christmas markets to visit are.
Christmas Markets in Germany are a time-honored and celebrated tradition that dates back centuries.
Each year, countless German towns and cities hold these festive events that both locals
and tourists alike from all over the planet venture out to attend.
The soul-nourishing aromas of grilled sausage, hot chestnuts, and gluhwein, coupled with
the charming architecture and decorations that adorn these towns, make these kinds of
annual year-end events worth every moment of your time.
Traditionally, German Christmas Markets offer guests completely unique experiences that
shouldn’t be missed.
If you’re looking for a way to pack a little extra seasonal excitement into your winter
travels, you’d be doing yourself an enormous favor to make a point to attend one of these
markets at least once in your lifetime.
In this video, Viewcation has prepared a somewhat exhaustive list of the best Christmas Markets
in Germany.
We’ll also clue you in on what to expect when visiting these cheerful places.
Now, if you were to merely take a look at a map of all of the Christmas Markets dotted
across the country, you might find yourself a bit overwhelmed by all of the options.
To be honest, you could probably visit just about any of them and have a great time, but
after watching this video, you’ll know all about what we believe are the best Christmas
Markets in Germany.
Christkindlesmarkt – Nuremberg
First up is Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt.
When most folks think about German Christmas Markets, this is the one that comes to mind.
Not only is this market among the oldest of its kind in Germany, but it has also become
popular throughout the globe.
Annually, more than 2 million visitors pay a visit to this great market.
So, if you're looking to have a Christmas experience that you won't soon forget while
gaining access to an enormous selection of quality German Christmas gifts, this market
has got you covered.
While it's not known for sure when this market got its start, the majority of historians
suspect that it dates back to the 1600s.
We know this because of the existence of a coniferous wooden box with ties to the market
that dates back to 1628.
The market opens on the Friday before the Advent First Sunday and ends on the 24th of
December unless that date happens to fall on Sunday.
The festivities kick off with a significant tradition that involves a parade by the holy
cherub Christ child, the German people’s traditional gift giver during the Christmas
event.
This unique role is always portrayed by a Nuremberg child and the parade takes place
through the city’s iconic Central Square.
There are numerous opportunities to bring home a commemorative souvenir to remind you
of the traditional event you attended.
Some of these keepsakes include clothing items made from locally sourced wool, craft brandies,
jams and marmalades, and other handicrafts.
If you have a sweet tooth, sink your teeth into treats like Spekulatius almond cookies
or the classic gingerbread cookie.
Munich Christmas Market – Marienplatz
This Christmas market can be found at the famed Marienplatz in Munich, and really, it’s
a sight that really deserves to be seen in person.
The market is surrounded by dozens of charming historic buildings like the Old and Neo-Gothic
New Town Halls.
With dozens of wooden stalls all across the market square, this place is just about as
authentically German as possible.
The winter wonderland is decorated with colorful lights, garlands, reefs, and glistening ornaments.
You can find treats like stollen, chestnuts, wine, and numerous other delicious German
staples.
If you were under the impression that Oktoberfest was the only festival that Munich is known
for, then you’re in for a surprise.
This market is sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Frankfurt Christmas Market – Weihnachtsmarkt
Dating back to the 14th Century, Frankfurt is home to one of the oldest and largest Christmas
Markets in Germany.
The market spans Frankfurt's historic Old Town not far from Town Hall and is decorated
with old-fashioned half-timbered structures and warm and inviting fairy lights.
If you’re looking to try a glass of some of the best-mulled wine in Germany, then look
no further.
You’ll also find treats like gingerbread, roasted nuts, and baked apples.
The market is also famous for its dried plums, figurines, apple wine, and the Bethmanchen.
If you want to take a few trinkets back home, the market's 200+ stalls sell just about everything
you could ever want, including local honey products, ornaments, clothing, jewelry, and
original artwork.
Dresden Striezelmarkt
Speaking of old markets that boast a tremendous amount of local history, the Dresden Christmas
Market is the oldest still-running market in Germany.
It also ranks among some of the oldest public markets in the world while simultaneously
also being one of the most famous.
Unlike the Christkindlesmarkt of Nuremberg, we actually know the precise date when this
market was first instituted.
It got its start back in 1434 and has been going strong ever since.
The term Striezelmarkt was originally coined from the Middle, High German words Dresdner
Stollen, which means Striezel or Strutzel, a very popular variant of cake that you can
find in this market.
The Market Square is where all of the events are held.
It can be found in the middle of Dresden’s Old Town and features marvels of architectural
design with the majestic River Elbe flowing as its beautiful backdrop.
Christmas lights and other festive decorations adorn the market square illuminating it at
night.
If that’s not enough to lure you in, then the traditional German treats and gifts available
for purchase surely will.
Lucia Christmas Market – Berlin
Being the German capital city, Berlin is famous for being the home of several of the largest
Christmas markets in the nation.
It proudly hosts more than 70 Christmas Markets each year.
All of these markets reflect the diversity that the city is renowned for.
Of all of the markets in Berlin, Lucia Christmas Market is one of the most significant.
It's beloved not only by locals but also so the entire world.
The market is held every year at the Kuiturbrauerei over in Prenzlauer berg.
The primary thing that makes Lucia Christmas Market such a gem is the sheer quantity of
German traditions that are on display.
These customs are blended masterfully with distinctly Scandinavian influences.
As you walk through the market, your ears will be tickled with the jovial sound of traditional
German songs.
As you look around, you'll see flags flying from ornately arranged stalls.
You'll also be sure to work up an appetite as your senses get flooded with the delectable
aromas of German delicacies like elk bratwurst.
While doing your Christmas shopping at this market, you'll come upon items like jewelry,
handmade clothing, original pieces of art, tantalizing street foods, and one-of-a-kind,
custom-crafted toys.
Magdeburger Weihnachtsmarkt – Magdeburg
Although this isn't the largest Christmas Market in Germany, it's still notable for
offering some of the best holiday treats.
The market is held in Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt's capital city, and is undoubtedly one of the
best Christmas destinations in the nation.
It's downright stunning just how much culture and history is tied to this place.
There are dozens of vibrantly decorated stalls that offer visitors the opportunity to sample
all kinds of traditional German delicacies.
You can also find original artwork, craft goods, and toys that are sure to impress even
the hardest to shop children.
Around the market are several medieval structures that are also worth keeping an eye out for.
If you enjoy a nice glass of wine, we recommend trying the mulled wine.
For the children, there are several funfairs held here as well, making this destination
one of the most family-friendly ones in Germany during the holiday season.
Leipzig Christmas Market
The city of Leipzig is very proud of the fact that it hosts the second-oldest German Christmas
Market in the country.
It first opened to the public back in 1458, just two decades after Dresden Striezelmarkt
got its start.
The market is located in the historical center of Leipzig, right outside of Old Town Hall.
Annually, thousands of guests come out to peruse through the market's 250+ festively
decorated stars that are jam-packed full of Christmas cheer and unique gifts.
To call this market magical would be an understatement.
The fairytale-esque environment is brimming with history, culture, and time-honored traditions.
And as expected, it’s one of the best places in town during the holiday season to sample
some of the best German cuisine available.
To make the vibe that much more charming, the highly celebrated St. Thomas Boys Choir
fills the air with their joyous music.
Also, in the middle of the market is the world's largest free-standing Advent Calendar.
Standing at 857 meters high, this is the advent calendar that German children everywhere dream
of.
To top things off, the city center also features a large Saxon spruce Christmas tree and a
Ferris wheel.
Erfurt Christmas Market
There is no other Christmas Market in Germany quite like this one.
More than 200 stalls sell items like craft goods, ornaments, toys, traditional German
treats, and toys.
Regardless of whether your attending to treat yourself with some of Germany's best grub
or simply seeking to immerse yourself in the country's rich history and culture, this is
an excellent place to cover both of those bases.
The market is surrounded by some of the best-preserved historic structures in Germany.
The market is also popular for its exquisitely lit and decorated Christmas tree, its 12 meters
tall Christmas Pyramid, its life-sized nativity scene, and its abundance of colorful decorations
and stalls.
While there are dozens of other quality Christmas markets in Germany, the ones that we just
discussed are in our opinion the crème de la crème.
There is no shortage of Christmas cheer in Germany, and if you’re the kind of traveler
that loves to shop till you drop when you’re out and about exploring a new city, then you’ll
be more than satisfied when visiting any of the markets that we just covered.
We’re going to go ahead and wrap things up, but we’d love to hear from you before
you move on to watching another one of our travel videos.
Did you know that Christmas Markets were such a significant German holiday tradition and
that some of these traditional Christmas Markets date back to the 1400s?
Let us know in the comments.