The Best Christmas Markets in Germany

Christmas traditions and celebrations are immense in Germany. With Christmas trees lining all streets, the celebration of the four Advent Sundays, the Advent calendars, Advent wreaths and advent arches to mention but a few, we would certainly say that Germany probably outshines all countries as far as really getting into the Christmas spirit is concerned. The Advent starts on the first Sunday after the 26th of November and lasts four weeks. In 2022, this falls on the 27th of November. Wondering through Germany’s Christmas markets, with wooden huts selling Christmas decorations, gingerbread, Stollen, Marzipan, freshly roasted nuts and gluhwein, this is where you really feel, see, smell and taste Christmas.

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Dresden exudes the spirit of Christmas throughout the Advent month. Christmas markets date back to the 13th century with the oldest believed to be Dresden’s Striezelmarkt. This is the main Christmas market in the city but certainly not the only one. A plethora of market stalls small and large making up six or seven individual Christmas markets – each with their own theme are dotted throughout the city. In fact a whole mile of Christmas markets stretches to the other side of the River Elbe and not only do you get to pick up a Christmas buy or two while you sip your gluhwein, you also get light shows, romance and even an alpine area where you can try out your winter sport skills at the curling track and ice rink.

The medieval city of Nuremburg, in Bavaria with its medieval architecture, is enchanting, charming and a joy to visit even before the largest of all German Christmas Markets, Chirstkindlesmarkt, arrives. The already captivating city transforms into a magical Christmas wonderland as soon as the Christmas market opens and apart from the abundance of Christmas decorations and traditional Stollen, Gluhwein, warm beer, gingerbread and almond cookies wafting wonderful Christmas aromas, here you also get to smell and taste the famous Nuremburg Bratwurst. The sausage as small as a finger. They are cooked the traditional way over an open beech wood fire and the delicious scent of grilled sausages makes them irresistible and because they are so small, you have to have 3 in a bun – that’s the Franconian way!

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Cologne, the home of Eau de Cologne, 12 Romanesque churches and the magnificently tall and dominant gothic Cologne Cathedral has been a favourite for Christmas markets for many years. The largest and most popular of which is the Weihnachtsmarkt Am Kölner Dom. This is located in the centre of the city below the largest Christmas tree in the Rhine area and the iconic cathedral which, at 157 metres tall, provides the perfectly divine backdrop. The market of the Angels, Markt der Engel lights up the Christmas spirit with hundreds if not thousands of twinkling Christmas lights and angels and St Nicholas Village, Nikolausdorf, tells the story of St Nicholas and is aimed for children and adults that turn into children during the festive period! A selection of other Christmas markets, each with its own theme, is also dotted in and around the City.

Berlin, the arty, trendy capital of Germany takes on a modern twist in Christmas markets with stacks of trendy gifts and all local arts and crafts are showcased here. There are not just a few Christmas markets here, this is the capital city after all and to express this, some 80 Christmas markets come alive all around Berlin during the Advent month. And if 80 Christmas markets are not enough, Berlin’s Winter World come alive at this time of the year too and this is where you get to go ice skating, tobogganing and curling. Children are treated to free lessons here.

One of the most enchanting and quaint medieval cities in Germany is Esslingen. Streets lined with centuries old architecture showing some of Germany’s oldest half-timber houses and Gothic churches with their original stained glass window’s still intact. The city is small and you can walk to all of its sites easily. There really isn’t a better backdrop for a Christmas Market. An old medieval village that is set up especially for the occasion and apart from all the different Christmas Markets you will also get to see local craftsmen at work, lots of people in costume and street entertainers including fire eaters and stilt walkers.

There's something about Christmas markets in Germany that just feels magical. Maybe it's the sparkling lights, the festive atmosphere, or the delicious smells wafting through the air. Whatever the reason, Germany's Christmas markets are some of the best in the world. If you're planning a Germany Christmas holiday, be sure to add a few of these markets to your itinerary.

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