When we hear the word Christmas Markets the first thing that comes in our minds is the “Christmas Markets of Germany”. Christmas Market is called Weihnachtsmarkt in German. These markets are very historical and date back to the Late Middle Ages. Almost every city in Germany has its Christmas Market but there are a few of them who stand out.
When to Visit
Generally most Christmas Markets open around the last weekend of November and usually end just before Christmas Eve.
What to expect:
Eat, drink, shop, admire the decorations and try the rides(for kids). German Christmas Markets are very beautiful and festive specially after dusk with all the lights.
When you visit after dusk or in the weekends expect to see a lot of people at the Market.
Expect to see people of all age group in the Christmas Markets. There is something for everybody.
What Food To Try
Bratwurst (Sausages)
You will find a variety of grilled sausages in German Christmas Markets. You might find stalls with a large round grill in the middle, and they usually offer multiple types of sausages. The classic Bratwurst, maybe a Bratwurst filled with cheese or even an extra-long Bratwurst. It is often served with bread, ketchup and mustard.
Currywurst (Curried Sausages)
Fun Facts:
– Curry Wrust is often prepared a bit differently in different German Cities.
– It was invented in Berlin in 1949 by Herta Heuwer who lived in the British military sector of Berlin after World War II where some soldiers had given her some ketchup, curry powder and Worcestershire sauce.
Kartoffelpuffer (Potato Pancakes)
It is a very popular German Street Food. Delightfully crispy and flavorful, these authentic German potato pancakes, Kartoffelpuffer, are delicious to eat.
Depending on the region of Germany, Kartoffelpuffer are also known as Reibekuchen, Reibeplätzchen, Reiberdatschi and Grumbeerpannekuche.
Stecklerfish (Fish on a Stick)
It is a fish grilled on a stick. The fish can be a Bream, Perch, Trout, Char, Mackerel or Herring. The whole fish is coated with a strong marinade of oil, spices and garlic and skewered lengthwise from the mouth onto debarked willow twigs , wooden sticks soaked in water .
Langos
Lebkuchen(Gingerbread)
Gebrannte Mandeln
Paradiesapfel (apple of paradise)
Fruit skewers
Glühwein (Mulled Wine)
Making Glühwein is relatively simple. It usually consists of red wine infused with various spices like cinnamon, star aniseed, cloves and oranges. Add sugar to the mixture, and you’ve got mulled wine. Germans like to to meet with friends and co-workers for a mug of hot mulled wine.
Germans to meet up with friends and co-workers for a mug of hot mulled wine.
Tips:
Take the Public Transport:
Finding street parking can be quite difficult and stressful in the crowded city center. As a visitor, you can also easily fall foul of local parking restrictions without knowing it. Use public transport if you can, most main markets all have subway stations or bus/tram stops nearby. Many markets also fall within walking distance of central hotels.
Carry cash with you:
Electronic transactions have started to become more popular at the markets, but many stalls do not accept cards or only accept EC (Local German Euro-Cheque cards) Cards. To make like easy carry some Euros.
Dress for the cold:
Temperature in Germany can fall below freezing point in this period. Few markets have indoor facilities and standing close to a steaming plate of Bratwurst can give you some temporary relief. It is highly advisable to get properly dressed for cold.
Be patient and prepare to stand in long line:
Most markets provide few opportunities to sit down. The markets get quite busy and one has to be prepared to stand in line to be able to buy something.
Avoid weekends:
If your not too fond of crowd and have the possibility to avoid weekends then please do so for a more pleasant experience.
Visit After Dusk:
Markets look prettiest after dusk with all the lights but do remember that it starts to get crowded after dusk.
Which Markets to Visit:
- Dresden Christmas Market
- Nuremberg Christmas Market
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber Reiterlesmarkt
- Berlin Christmas Market
- Leipzig Christmas Market
- Christmas Markets are called “Weihnachtsmarkt” in German
- There are over 2000 Christmas Markets in Germany
- German Christmas Markets attract over 1 million visitors every year.
- Glühwein(Mulled wine) is the most popular drink at the markets.
- Dresden has the largest Christmas Market in the world with over 250 stalls.
- The first Christmas markets originated in Germany in the late Middle Ages.