Christmas markets to mark beginning of holiday season

Published Nov. 10, 2009
By Iris Reiff
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- This month Germany will turn into a Christmas wonderland when many cities begin setting up their traditional Weihnachtsmaerkte, or Christmas markets. Whether it is Nuernberg or Dudeldorf, the atmosphere is the same. Many people joyfully welcome the beginning of the holiday season. Most markets will open around Nov. 23 and stay open until shortly before Christmas.

"I cannot wait for the market to open -- I just love the smell of fresh waffles or baked apples there," said Gerhard Meyer, a Trier resident. "Two weeks from now, the city will be nicely decorated with Christmas trees and lights in the streets and on buildings throughout the city. It appears that people are always more relaxed and happy during this time, with looking forward to the holidays."

Although every Christmas market has its unique flair and character, they are usually set up in a similar way to feature decorated wooden huts lined up in a popular spot of the town.

Vendors offer a variety of goods, ranging from colorful Christmas ornaments and decorations to advent calendars, candles and wooden toys. One can also find a wide choice of handcrafted items, which can make beautiful Christmas gifts.

Historical carrousels are among the highlights for children, and fresh cotton candy will tempt old and young, alike.

Christmas carols and music performed by local choirs and music bands add to the events, helping put people into the holiday spirit.

According to Winfried Hardt, an Eifel vendor, prices are usually a little higher at Christmas markets; however, the ornaments and decorations offered are traditional and often handmade, the food is always fresh, and the experience can create memories that last a lifetime.

The following are opening dates and times for some Christmas markets in Germany and bordering countries:

Nuernberg's Christkindlmarkt, a famous market in Germany, takes place Nov. 27 - Dec. 24, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday,

Heidelberg, hosts a large Weihnachtsmarkt with an ice skating rink Nov. 25 through Dec. 22 in the market square and the Universitaetsplatz. Opening times are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Stuttgart has one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, offering more than 200 booths. The market takes place Nov. 25 through Dec. 23 and is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. The town also has an ice skating rink.

Munich has several markets. The most popular Christkindlmarkt is open Nov. 27 through Dec. 24 at Maerienplatz, in front of the city hall in the center of town. The market is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 24. Other smaller markets can be found in Schwabingen, Heidhausen, Chinesischer Turm, Neuhauser, Ramersdorf and Pasing.

Cologne hosts six markets - four of them around the Dom Cathedral, Alter Market, Neumarkt and Rudolfplatz. A medieval market takes place outside the Chocolate Museum, and there will be a floating Christmas market on board of the MS Wappen von Mainz boat. The markets are open 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Nov. 27 through Dec. 26.

Frankfurt's Christmas market held on the Roemerberg, with about 200 stands and three million visitors in previous years, is known to be one of the largest and most beautiful markets in Germany. The wooden stands are set up around the Fountain of Justice, in the shadow of the Roemer, the city's ancient town hall, Nov. 25 through Dec. 22. The Frankfurt market is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The Roemerberg is in the center of the town, near the famous Paul's Church.

Rothenberg ob der Tauber hosts its Weihnachtsmarkt Nov. 27 through Dec. 23. The market is open 11 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. The medieval town of Rothenburg sells Christmas ornaments year-round and has a Christmas museum.

Hamburg has a several markets set up throughout the center of town Nov. 23 through Dec. 31, on Gerhart-Hauptmann Platz, around the Petri Church, on Sitalstrasse and on Gaensemarkt. Markets are open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, but they will be closed Dec. 24-25.

Mainz hosts its Weihnachtsmarkt Nov. 26 through Dec. 23 in the Historic Square. The market is open 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Highlights include a 36-foot tall wooden Christmas Pyramid and a life-size nativity scene carved out of lime wood.

Leipzig hosts a Christmas markets Nov. 14 through Dec. 22 around the Old City Hall in the center of town. The market is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Highlights include the world's largest free-standing advent calendar.

Dresden hosts the Striezelmarkt Nov. 26 through Dec. 24 on Altmarkt. Opening times are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Striezelmarkt is known as the most popular Christmas markets in former Eastern Germany, and it is Germany's oldest Christmas market. Highlights include a giant Christmas tree carrying beautiful decorations, several life-size Christmas figures to include snowmen and a nutcracker man, beautiful hand-made Christmas decorations, a giant advent calendar, a fairy tale castle and fairy tale forest with more than 100 figures.

Augsburg hosts Christkindlemarkt Nov. 23 through Dec. 24. The market is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Highlights include a large Christmas Pyramid surrounded by angel figures and Renaissance buildings. The market is more than 500 years old.

Baden-Baden hosts their traditional Weihnachtsmarkt Nov. 23 through Dec. 27 in the historical market square. The market is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Highlights include a life-size nativity scene with real sheep and Santa Claus visits frequently.

Zurich hosts its 16th Christkindl market Nov. 27 through Dec. 24 inside the city's ShopVille-Rail City train station. Opening times are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The market closes at 4 p.m. Dec. 24. Highlights include one of the largest European indoor-Christmas markets and a large Christmas tree with about 6,000 ornaments.

Luxembourg City hosts its annual Christmas market Dec. 1 through Dec. 24 at the Place d'Armes in the center of town. The market is open 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. About 70 decorated huts will be set up selling Christmas items and ornaments. Several concerts are scheduled each day.

Echternach/Luxembourg hosts its market Dec. 11-13 in the market square. Opening times are 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. This is a nice cozy market offering a variety of Christmas related items to include jewelry and handcrafted items.

Strasbourg, France, offers an attractive Christmas market Nov. 29 through Dec. 24 at the Muensterplatz, Place Broglie and Petite France. Opening times are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. This is one of the largest Christmas markets in France, taking place for the 431st time this year. Highlights include a cozy half-timbered building with Christmas shops and a gingerbread bakery.

Metz has its annual Christmas market Nov. 28 through Jan. 3 in the center of the city.

Mannheim will host a beautiful Christmas market Nov. 25 through Dec. 23 with 200 booths. Opening times are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. There will be children's rides.

Saarbruecken hosts a Christmas market Nov. 26 through Dec. 23. Opening times are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Highlights include life-sized figures and Father Christmas telling the Christmas story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer in the German each night.

Kaiserslautern hosts a market in the center of town with more than 40 wooden booths Nov. 23 through Dec. 22. Opening times are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Wiesbaden will host a market that is decorated in gold and blue (the color of their Coat of Arms) and takes place Nov. 24 through Dec. 23. Opening times are 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. The market has more than 100 booths.

Hanau has a Christmas market with more than 70 vendors and a separate art market Nov. 27 through Dec. 22. For opening times call the tourist information office at 06181-295950. Highlights include an art market and late shopping night Dec. 19, until midnight.

Deidesheim has a Christmas market Nov. 27 through Dec. 20 with more than 100 booths offering traditional wooden toys and other Christmas items. The market is open weekends only.

Koblenz hosts the largest and most romantic Weihnachtsmarkt in Rheinland-Pfalz Nov. 20 through Dec. 22 in the Altstadt, or old city. Opening times are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Monschau will host a scenic Christmas market Nov. 27 through Dec. 20. Opening times are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Ruedesheim hosts a Christmas market with more than 120 booths from 12 different countries Nov. 23 through Dec. 23. Highlights include the largest nativity scene in Europe and a children's market built by children for the children.

Bernkastel hosts its' annual Mittelalterlicher Weihnachtsmarkt, or medieval Christmas market, featuring more than 50 decorated sales huts Nov. 21 through Dec. 20 near the Baerenbrunnen fountain in the town's market square and throughout the pedestrian area. Opening times are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The town will also have a Sankt Nikolaus market 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 1 along the Mosel shore.

Idar Oberstein, known for its beautiful gems, will host a Christmas market Nov. 28-29 at the Schloss Oberstein castle. Call the town's tourist information office at 06781-64421 for more information. Highlights include gems, Christmas-related ornaments and nice ceramics.

Trier hosts it's traditional Weihnachtsmarkt Nov. 23 through Dec. 22 in the Hauptmarkt or main market square. This is an excellent market with Christmas music and celebrations featured in the market square throughout the entire season. Opening times are10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Highlights include the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Brass Quartette performing Christmas music 5 to 6 p.m. Dec. 17. Music and entertainment is scheduled throughout each weekend, and Santa will visit often.

Bitburg's Weihnachtsmarkt takes place Nov. 27 through Dec. 23. The market is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Stores will be open on Nov. 29 in the center of Bitburg for Christmas shopping.

Wittlich has a Christmas market Nov. 29 through Dec. 21 in the center of town. Opening times are 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily. Highlights include regional, homemade and handcrafted items, a tall Christmas tree, and Christmas carols every Saturday after 5 p.m.

Dudeldorf hosts a nice Weihnachtsmarkt Nov. 28-29. The market is open 12 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 28 and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 29. Highlights include a scenic market with many regional, homemade and handcrafted items, and Santa Claus will visit regularly.

Manderscheid hosts a special castle Christmas Wonderland market inside and outside the castle walls noon to 8 p.m. Nov. 28 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 29. Many market stands offer homemade items, Christmas-related crafts and food specialties. A shuttle service to and from the castles is available from the Mandrscheid Rathaus and local parking lots.

Gerolstein will host a Christmas market Dec. 12-13. Opening times are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 12 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 13. The market takes place on Hauptstrasse. Numerous Christmas booths will be set up selling Christmas ornaments and food items.

Bad Bertrich has a small but popular Advent Christmas market. About 13 decorated booths will be available offering Christmas ornaments, candles and gifts. The market is open Nov. 20-21 and Nov. 28-29 at the town's spa gardens. Opening times are 3 to 6 p.m.

Cochem has a market Nov. 27 through Dec. 20. Highlights include handcrafted item and a Cochem Castle Christmas play in German Dec. 12-13. For more information or opening times, call the Cochem tourist information office at 02671-60040.

Konz Rohscheid Hof estate will host a Christmas market with 30 stands Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 12-13 at the Rohscheid Open-Air museum. Opening times are 1 to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. Highlights include regional homemade and handcrafted items and food specialties, and Santa will visit 4 p.m. Dec. 6 and Dec. 13. There will be Christmas music and free entry to the museum.

Saarburg hosts a Christmas market Dec. 4 -6 Highlights include a large Advent calendar tree, Santa Claus arriving on a boat in Saarburg 3 p.m. Dec. 5, a Christmas concert 5 p.m. Dec. 5, "Swinging Christmas" tunes 1 p.m. Dec. 6, cutting and tasting of Christmas cake 3 p.m. Dec. 6, and Christmas concerts by local music associations at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dec. 6. Call the Saarburg tourist information office for more information or market opening times at 06581-995980.