The Christmas season in Germany is a fairytale come to life. Almost every town has a Christmas market during the weeks before December 25. When dark descends, as early as 4pm in December, the outdoor markets are a magical scene with twinkling lights sparkling on the tinsel and gilded ornaments. If snow falls, it’s pure enchantment. People wrapped up in heavy winter coats and woollen scarves pack the market square to eye the merchandise displayed at stalls decorated with swaths of fir and pine. Everything from holiday decorations to handicrafts, from mittens to furry slippers is for sale. And, delicious edible treats whose aromas stir the appetite: grilled sausages, spicy cookies and glühwein or ‘glowing wine’, hot spiced wine served in souvenir mugs.
The markets are just one of many holiday traditions in Germany with the season officially getting underway on the first Sunday in Advent, the four weeks preceding Christmas. Almost every home has an Advent wreath, a wreath of greens with four candles that is often placed in the centre of the dining room table. On each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, one of the candles is lit, so that by Christmas day all four candles are burning. The lighting ceremony is usually part of the Sunday afternoon coffee and cake ritual – a tradition with or without candles – which many Germans practice year round. During Advent in many homes it’s an occasion to sing Christmas carols.
December 6, Saint Nicholas Day, is a big event for German children. On the night of December 5, they put a shoe or hang a stocking in front of their door. If they’ve been good, the next morning it will be filled with fruits, candy and small gifts from Saint Nicholas. But, the legendary saint doesn’t make his trek from house to house alone. Knecht Ruprecht, a sinister figure who strikes terror in any mischievous child, accompanies him. He puts a twig or piece of coal in the shoes or stockings of naughty children.
Visiting Germany in the pre-Christmas season is a special treat the whole family will enjoy. Following is information on Christmas markets and attractions in major German cities:
The city on the Rhine is known as cathedral city. Its majestic Gothic cathedral, Germany’s largest, took 632 years to build. It has two massive towers with one, the south tower, open for a climb up 509 steps to the top where superb views await.
Take a trip back to Roman times and visit the Praetorium, the foundations of the home of the city’s Roman governor who lived there from the first to fourth centuries. For more about the history of Romans on the Rhine, visit the Römisch-Germanisches Museum.
Cologne has seven Christmas markets. In the shopping district of the city centre is the market at Neumarkt. The Alter Market in front of the Town Hall has special attractions for kids – a merry-go-round, puppet theatre, Santa’s house and toy stands. Both of these markets are open November 24 to December 23, 11am – 9pm. The Cathedral Christmas market features a gigantic tree and artisans at work, November 23 to December 23 (closed Nov 26, 11am to 9pm).
Just north of Cologne and also on the Rhine is Germany’s capital of fashion where many international corporations have their headquarters. The Königsallee, a kilometre-long promenade, embodies the elegance of the city with classy boutiques and arcades. Another delightful promenade is along the Rhine embankment, fun for watching the big ships that ply the busy river.
The 250 decorated huts of the Christmas market fill squares and streets in the city centre. It’s open from November 20 to December 23 (closed Nov 23), from Sunday to Thursday, 11am to 8pm, and on Friday and Saturday until 9pm.
Germany’s second largest city with its biggest harbour is spread out on the Elbe River about 100 kilometres from the open sea. With its parks, lakes and tree-lined canals, it’s known as the Venice of northern Europe. The best bet is a harbour tour by boat to see the enormous freighters that pack the port. A fun and lively event is the Fish Market held at the harbour every Sunday, in winter from 7am until 9.30 am. Fish, produce and a myriad assortment of merchandise are for sale.
The Christmas market spreads out in front of the Town Hall where some 100 different merchants display their wares in quaintly designed cottages. Santa rides above the cottage roofs in his reindeer sleigh. There’s a new attraction this year: Nordic Lane, a tribute to Hamburg’s ties to Scandinavia. It’s open from November 24 to December 23, 10am to 9pm daily.
And if these fantastic locations aren't enough for you,
click here for part 2 of the article and even more stunning markets.
