Germany -Christmas Markets - Guide to Germany's Largest Christmas Markets

Frankfurt Christmas Market

30 November - 22 December 2006

More than 200 stalls fill the city's medieval core from the Römerberg to the quays of the Main River attracting visitors from around the world.

Cologne Christmas Markets

22 November - 23 December 2006

Cologne has several Christmas markets, each with its own character. Artisans set up their stands in front of the Cologne Cathedral, under a gigantic Christmas tree. The Alte Market in front of the Rathaus is filled with traditional half-timbered stands and a large Christmas Market is located directly on Neue Markt in the shopping district. In front of the Chocolate Museum, there is a fantastic medieval market and you can visit a floating market on one of the Rhine cruise boats.

Düsseldorf Christmas Markets

22 November - 23 December 2006

Düsseldorf plays host to several Christmas markets around the city, the largest on Flingerstrasse in the Altstadt. Others are in the Schadowstrasse (the main shopping street) and the Nordstrasse, just north of the Hofgarten. If you are an ice skater, you can skate along the Königsallee Corneliusplatz, the main boulevard of the city.

Hamburg Christmas Markets

26 November - 1 January

Hamburg's city center fills with the spirit of Christmas as the Rathaus Marktplatz, Gansemarkt, Monckebeckstrasse, and the pedestrian streets are filled with Christmas stalls selling all the traditional Christmas market crafts and fare. Visit the ice bar in the Rathausmarkt - a bar sculpted totally of ice and make sure to take in the giant model train that circles above the stands around the market.

Stuttgart Christmas Market

29 November - 23 December

The whole town of Stuttgart is decked out for the Stuttgart Christmas Market with over 200 stalls around the city.

Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas Market)

30 November - 24 December 2006

Perhaps one of the most famous of Germany's Christmas markets, the Nuremberg market is considered Germany's Christmas Capital. In the shadow of the Frauenkirche, the Christmas market is world-renowned. Make sure to try some of the Lebkuchen (Gingerbread), a particular speciality of the region. Buy one of Nuremberg's gold foil angels and make sure to have some Nurnberg sausage.

Dresden Christmas Market

28 November - 24 December

Dresden has been hosting a Christmas market since 1434, making it Germany's oldest Christmas market. The Altstadt fills with stalls, lights and the scents of Christmas and carolers perform daily. Stands at the Streiezelmarkt feature wooden folk art including "smoking men" who emit real smoke from their mouths as well as ornaments and figurines made from prunes which bring luck. You can buy Christmas pyramids which rotate from the heat of the candles, and the famous Dresden Stollen.

Munich Christmas Markets

30 November - 24 December

The Schwabinger Weihnachtsmarkt is actually an art festival in the trendy shopping area of Munich, with over 100 juried artists' stalls - great if you are looking for a unique gift for that special person.

Marienplatz, Munich's town square becomes a sea of fairy lights and hosts a few hundred booths serving up food and drink as well as all the great Christmas gifts you expect at a German Christmas Market. Visit the Kripperlmarkt (crèche market) to buy terracotta, wax or wood nativity figures handmade by local artisans.

Combine a little culture with your Christmas shopping at the Winter Tollwood festival held on the Theresienwiese, the same place where Oktoberfest is held. Music, theatre and dance performances take place in the tents and you can enjoy the Christmas market as well.

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Berlin Christmas Markets

26 November - 31 December

Berlin has several Christmas markets. The largest is on the festival grounds on Alexanderstrasse and is grouped around a Ferris wheel and carousels. A railroad takes children through a fairytale forest under a huge Christmas tree. Visit the market in the Prenzlauer Berg district for a little Swedish flavor or the Gendarmenmarkt for a huge selection of goodies. Go ice skating on or sledding Potsdamer Platz and then head for the Christmas markets.

Leipzig Christmas Market

27 November - 23 December

The Alt Leipzig Christmas market, on the Marktplatz in front of the Alten Rathaus, includes a skating rink and a model railroad exhibition.