Sea of lights and tasty treats: Christmas markets attract visitors
Mulled wine, fairy lights and arts and crafts: Christmas markets will soon be opening again in many city centers. Most of them start at the end of November.
Stuttgart
The Stuttgart Christmas market traditionally bathes the state capital in a sea of lights. This year, there will once again be a Ferris wheel on Schlossplatz, and various concerts are planned in the collegiate church and in the courtyard of the Old Palace. According to the organizers, more than three million people visit the Christmas market every year. It takes place from November 29 to December 23. It is usually open Sundays to Wednesdays from 11.00 am to 9.00 pm and Thursdays to Saturdays from 11.00 am to 11.00 pm. Admission is free.
Ulm
Under the highest church tower in the world, the Christmas market in Ulm invites you to stroll around. There are 120 stalls selling goods around the cathedral. There is also a nativity scene with real animals. The Christmas market takes place from November 27 to December 23. It is open daily from 10.00 am to 8.30 pm. Admission is free.
Baden-Baden
The Christkindelsmarkt in Baden-Baden is designed to impress visitors with its ambience in front of the Kurhaus Baden-Baden, concerts and stalls. With a mini Ferris wheel and a children's carousel, young visitors will also get their money's worth. Anyone who loses track of what's on offer can book a two-hour guided tour of the Christkindelsmarkt. It is usually open daily from November 23 to January 6 from 11.00 am to 9.00 pm. Admission is free.
Ravenna Gorge
The Christmas market in the Ravenna Gorge near Breitnau traditionally lights up between wooded hills and the 40-metre-high Höllentalbahn railroad viaduct. The market huts and the viaduct are illuminated to create a festive atmosphere. There are arts and crafts and Black Forest specialties, as announced by Hochschwarzwald Tourismus GmbH. The Christmas market takes place on weekends from November 24 to December 17. On Fridays you can usually visit it between 3 pm and 9 pm, on Saturdays between 2 pm and 9 pm and on Sundays between 2 pm and 8 pm. The entrance fee depends on the time of arrival and starts at 5.50 euros for adults.
Freiburg
This year, Freiburg's Christmas market is celebrating its 50th anniversary. According to the city, the tradition goes back even further. According to them, there was already a Christmas market on Münsterplatz in the 19th century. However, it is not known exactly what was on offer at that time. Children also get their money's worth at the Freiburg Christmas market. On December 6, for example, they can receive presents from St. Nicholas, take part in Christmas baking or make their own candles. There are also more than 120 market stalls selling handicrafts and delicacies. The Freiburg Christmas Market takes place from November 23 to December 23. It is usually open from Monday to Saturday between 10.00 am and 8.30 pm and on Sundays between 11.30 am and 7.30 pm. Admission is free.
Ludwigsburg
The Baroque Christmas market attracts visitors to the heart of Ludwigsburg. The baroque market square is festively decorated and, according to the city, around 160 exhibitors offer their wares. Artists and clubs also perform there. If you want to take advantage of special offers, you should regularly take a look at the online Advent calendar in December. A virtual door with a special offer will open every day. The Ludwigsburg Baroque Christmas Market begins on November 23 and runs until December 22. It is usually open daily from 11.00 am to 9.00 pm. Admission is free.
Esslingen
The medieval market and Christmas market in Esslingen boasts 180 stalls and around 500 cultural program items. The medieval market is directly adjacent to the Christmas market and stretches from Rathausplatz via the small market, along the Old Town Hall to the harbor market. A special feature are the various workshops that visitors can book. These include, for example, a course in ritual smoking or a fencing workshop. The medieval market and Christmas market in Esslingen takes place from November 23 to December 21. It is open daily from 11.00 am to 8.30 pm, closing at 9.30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is free.
Hohenzollern Castle
Visitors can enjoy the ambience at Hohenzollern Castle during the "Royal Winter Magic". The castle grounds are decorated for Christmas. According to the organizers, it is not a classic Christmas market, but rather a special exhibition. But there is still mulled wine. The "Royal Winter Magic" takes place from November 24, 2023 to January 7. It is usually open Sundays to Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Closing days are November 27 and 28, as well as December 4, 5, 11, 18, 24 and 31. Admission costs 22 euros for adults with an online ticket.
Karlsruhe
The Christkindlesmarkt on the market square and Friedrichsplatz in Karlsruhe immerses the fan-shaped city in a festive atmosphere. A 40-metre-high Ferris wheel, concerts and stalls are designed to attract visitors. The Christkindlesmarkt takes place from November 28 to December 23. It is open Mondays to Thursdays and Sundays from 11.00 am to 9.00 pm, and Fridays and Saturdays from 11.00 am to 10.00 pm. Admission is free.
Aalen
There is a Christmas market underground in Aalen. The "Tiefer Stollen" visitor mine in the Wasseralfingen district is decorated with numerous lights and stalls for four days in December. However, the town warns of long waiting times before entering, as only a certain number of people are allowed in the mine. The Christmas market takes place from December 7 to 10. It will be open from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Adults pay six euros admission.
Strasbourg
The Strasbourg Christmas market attracts around two million visitors every year and is also popular with German Christmas market-goers. There are more than 300 stalls on offer. It takes place from November 24 to December 24. It is usually open daily between 11.30 am and 9 pm. Admission is free of charge.
Basel
There are around 155 stalls at this year's Basel Christmas market on Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz. The 13-metre-high Christmas pyramid on Barfüsserplatz is a popular meeting point. The Basel Christmas Market takes place from November 23 to December 23. It is open daily from 11.00 am to 8.30 pm.
Visitors can make the most of their leisure time by exploring the wide variety of customs at these Christmas markets, such as tasting traditional German mulled wine and enjoying the festive atmosphere of arts and crafts stalls.
Furthermore, experiencing local customs is an essential part of any holidays, and attending Christmas markets provides an excellent opportunity to immerse oneself in the rich traditions and customs of Germany during the festive season.
Source: www.dpa.com
