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The Christmas Markets in Germany are special, because Germany is the true homeland of the Christmas Markets, it is in fact here that the historical documents attest to the birth of the first Christmas Market. In the 15th century, more precisely in 1434, the first documented Christmas market in history took place in the German city of Dresden. The document in question speaks of a Striezelmarkt, i.e. a market of ‘Striezel’, which are a typical traditional German sweet. In Germany during the Advent period, the suggestive Christmas markets await you with the characteristic wooden houses decorated for the holidays full of typical sweets and artistic handicraft objects for your gifts.
The capital Berlin with its over 60 Christmas markets is a unique destination, you will be spoiled for choice. Very suggestive are the Christmas markets of Nuremberg, Ulm, Augusta, Dresden, Cologne, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Bremen, Munich, Passau, Coburg, Koblenz and those held in the beautiful historic German towns declared world heritage humanity by UNESCO such as Goslar, Regensburg, Hildesheim, Bamberg, Lübeck, Trier, Aachen, Speyer, Weimar, Quedlinburg, Wismar, Stralsund. Virtually every German city has its own Christmas market during the Advent period.
On the page on the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany, find out which are the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany.
BAVARIAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Bavaria, the largest region of Germany, is also among the German regions where Catholicism is most widespread, this means that Bavaria is one of the places in Germany where the traditions related to Christmas are most deeply rooted.
During the Advent period, the Christmas Markets, some of which date back to the 15th century, are present in practically every city and town in Bavaria. Among the most beautiful and well-known are those of Munich, Regensburg, Bamberg, Augsburg, Nuremberg, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Passau and Coburg. Do not miss a visit to some of the smaller towns, with smaller markets, but set in evocative urban landscapes, among the most beautiful to mention are those of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl, Kaufbeuren, Kempten im Allgäu and Nördlingen im Ries.
In the Bavarian Christmas Markets local artisans exhibit and sell their strictly handmade products, among the most interesting are the hand-painted Christmas decorations, decorative garlands, carved wooden objects and wooden toys, blown glass objects, nutcrackers, Christmas cards, trinkets, woolen hats and scarves, candles, chocolates and marzipan. Very attractive for the palate is then all the Bavarian gastronomy that is never lacking in the stands of the Christmas markets of the cities of Bavaria.
BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Baden-Württemberg is, together with Bavaria, one of the two southern states of Germany, and is therefore easily accessible from Italy via the Swiss and German motorway network. The Land of Baden-Württemberg borders with France and Switzerland and therefore the Christmas Markets of Alsace in France and the Christmas Markets of the Swiss cities are also easy to visit.
In this region, whose capital is the city of Stuttgart, the traditions of Advent and Christmas are still very much felt today. In the main cities and towns there is never a shortage of traditional Christmas markets which generally take place from the end of November until a few days before Christmas. But the events of the period before Christmas in Baden-Württemberg are not only linked to the classic markets, in fact musical and theatrical performances are organized to complete the Christmas program, games for children with the inevitable presence of Santa Claus, in many cities the artisans locals present their works and often build them under the watchful eye of visitors. Unmissable are the illuminations, advent calendars, Christmas trees and cribs of various sizes.
The most important Christmas Markets in Baden-Württemberg are those of: Stuttgart, which is also one of the oldest, in fact it dates back to the end of the 17th century; Baden Baden, famous spa resort; Freiburg; Ulm; Heidelberg; Mannheim; Karlsruhe; the town of Constance has a market scenically set on the lake of the same name; Europa-Park, the largest theme park in Germany, hosts a market and a series of attractions dedicated to Christmas; finally, the Bad Wimpfen market is particular because visitors will seem to have returned to the Middle Ages, in fact there are characters in costume (knights, soldiers, ladies, clerks, etc.) and the setting of this historic town is really very suggestive.