Throughout Europe, the main celebrations are not held on the same day. For many countries, the biggest day is Christmas Eve,. Many Orthodox countries, celebrate on January 6th/7th. Also, it isn't always Santa Claus who delivers the present, in Italy, it is the broomstick riding witch, Befana, in Iceland, it is the Yule lads, perhaps a prototype for the seven dwarves . They have a giant cat who eats the naughty children. in Finlamd, it is Joulupukki, a man-like creature, who resembles a goat. Un the Netherlands, it is Sinterklaas, who os closer to the actual St Nicholas than our Santa is, wearing a Bisop's mitre & carryong a crozier. He is assisted by Black Pete, a former slave who Sinterklaas freed, & who decided to stay with Sinterklaas, to help him. Sinterklaas arrives from the south (possibly Spain), by boat. Grandfather Frost is, I believe an attempt by the communist government of Romania to remove anything remotely christian from the mid-winter celebrations. Most Romainians have reverted back to their pre- communist traditions.
The most beautiful christmas market in Germany is in Erfurt. He was the second place from all christmas markets in Europe. But 2020 all christmas markets was cancelled .... :( Btw. almost every village/city/town in Germany have a christmas market at least at one weekend in december. ;) And visit a christmas market every year is a MUST for every German. ;)
Dresden Christmas Market has a part that is a small historical market selling medieval inspired food and has a bathtub yes you heard right, hot bathtub on a christmas market, open, for four people, and you get served drinks
I don't have a favorite christmas market, but I personally prefer the smaller ones in smaller towns over the big ones in big cities. The big ones are still great, but the smaller ones are just more relaxing and peaceful.
@R. Andromeda You missed the OPs claim that the biggest Christmas market outside Germany is in the UK. This is incorrect. There are bigger ones in Austria. Thus the UK got the biggest Christmas market, outside Germany and Austria.
Gluhwein is spiced hot wine infused with cinnamon and cloves etc. Just the thing to hold and sip when wandering around a frosty market. We call it mulled wine in the UK.
Yes Germany does great christmas markets. Also you might be interested in knowing .that Prince Albert, who was the husband of Queen Victoria . First introduced the Christmas tree into England. Prince Albert was German.
I'm from the Netherlands and we have Christmas markets but they are nothing next to the German ones. Last year we went to the Duesseldorf market and i really enjoyed it!! It's just a 1,5 hour drive from where I live.
Also check out Tivoli in Denmark it was a major inspiration for Walt Disneys first park, and it it is a wonderfull place. Also Neuschwanstein Castle is amazing look into the history of the german prince that built it.
I used to live in Germany and the Christmas Markets are so beautiful, they really get into the Christmas atmosphere. Braunschweig, Wolfenbuttel, Goslar, Bremen, Hanover and many more Chirstmas markets are worth a visit.
I'm from Esslingen (8:00), and the medieval Christmas market in the medieval city center is something to behold. Half-timbered houses, cobblestone lanes, several old churches around the market place. Hard to beat that atmosphere. ^^
I live in Liverpool UK and we also have German Christmas markets at Christmas time, I’m sure it’s nothing compared to the real thing but it’s so magical. 😁
I have spent some time living and working in Munich, especially around the Christmas run up. Munich is tucked up just under the Alps so it is ideally placed to have crisp cold and often snowy weather. The classic Christmas card scene we imagine could be any snap shot photo of German towns at Christmas time. When you buy a cup of Gluhwien you also pay for the china cup if you wish to keep it. If not, it can be returned to the vendor where you can get the value of the cup back. A couple of warm mulled wines on a cold evening walking around a market are just the ticket. I really like Germany. On a different note. I was walking in Munich one day when an old WW2 bomb was control detonated by the bomb squad from which a few windows were broken by the blast. Quite a few old bombs are found when new building work takes place. It's an odd feeling to be a Brit standing in Munich hearing a bomb explode which was dropped by the British or American forces and meant to explode, kill and destroy the area nearby.
Hi there, yes these old Bombs are troublesome. Our Kampfmittelbeiseitungdienst (Special Bomb Defusing Unit) defuses approximately around 5000 Unexploded Ordnances and 20-30 bigger Ones, usually 500 lbs or more. Estimations are that ~100.000 big Ones still linger in the ground. Oh and my Neice and Nephew are in a Elementary School where two UXO are right under the Main Building. Two Big yellow Crosses on the Main Hall floor with Fences around. To defuse them, most of the Building has to be slowly debuild by hand.
I'm living and Belgium and I have easy access to three ! of these cities : Aachen , Monschau and Cologne ( maximum 1 hour by car for Cologne ) , and I absolutely recommend the three of them . A must see , at least one time in a life .
Innsbruck lies halfway between Italy and Germany, just 25 miles away from each border. This creates a curious situation. Many Italians want to experience a real nice Christmas market in a Middle Age town, and thus travel to Innsbruck, which is "German enough", albeit being in Austria. And many of the stalls at the Innsbruck Christmas market are operated by South Tyroleans, who technically are Italians, but speak German and live right south of the Austrian-Italian border. So the Innsbruck Christmas market caters to Italians traveling to Austria, who wants to buy stuff from German speaking Italians in Austria, while feeling in Germany.
My mum went to Germany just for the Christmas markets, lots of food & hand crafted gifts. Over here in the states most German communities hold them. We went to New Braunfels in TX for one a couple of years ago. You should visit Leavenworth in Washington state.
You should absolutely visit Europe during December and experience this, I'm an expat living in Birmingham, England where we also have a travelling German market visit during the Christmas period. The atmosphere is always delightful.
I think that German has very famous Christmas markets based on the (most) Catholic tradition of Germany. Because of this Catholic tradition nearly all shops are regulary closed on Sundays in Germany. The US has a protestant-british tradition. You can see difference between German Christmas and British Christmas tradition. 1. Nikolaus ( "Santa Claus" December 6th ). In Germany Nikolaus visits German households on this day and brings little presents like sweets to the children hidden in shoes and socks. I think in the UK this tradition does not exits. 2. Four weeks before Christmas (December 24th) Christmas time begins in Germany, normally at the end of November. The four sundays before Christmas are "Der 1., 2., 3. und 4. Advent". A lot of households light 1 candle (1. Advent), 2 candles (2. Advent), 3 candles (3. Advent) and 4 candles (4. Advent). The "4. Advent" is the last sunday before Christmas Eve. 3. In Germany Christmas is celebrated on December 24th, in Germany called "Heiligabend" ("Holy Evening"). In the UK this day is "Christmas Eve" and Christmas is celebrated on December 25th (which is "Erster Weihnachtstag" (First Christmas Day) in Germany). And on December 26th ("Zweiter Weihnachtstag" / Second Christmas Day / in the UK called "Boxing Day") is the third Celebration Day in Germany that means in Germany we have three days of Christmas that are celebration days and everything is closed (with the exception of December 24th. On this day shops are open in the morning before closing at lunchtime). Greetings from Germany!!!
There are lots of Christmas Markets in the UK - London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast...in fact every major city and town.
When I lived in Germany we popped to Berchtesgaden just before Christmas. One terrifying tradition they have there is buttnmandl; straw figures running through the streets and beating unsuspecting pedestrians with sticks! It was extremely odd and surreal.
I've been to the Christmas market in Birmingham a couple of times, and to Manchester too. They are ideal for visiting in the run up to Christmas, you can find the most amazing stuff. A woman I used to work with made a point of going to Germany each year to do the markets, but I've not been that far.
Im a German. Was on the Birmingham market .. actually there were true german stalls. Just the buns on the bratwurst snacks was just wrong and the mulled wine was too thin , so it's quite close but still ... come to germany and compare yourself 🎅🤶👼
the best thing by our christmasmarkets is the smell ❤ I love the most the Lübeck Christmasmarket cause its all over the citycenter.....and it is my hometown.🥰
I was about to say this! Glühwein, Bratwurst, bonfires and cotton candy makes the most wonderful smell! Also, I visited Lübeck in december a few years back and I really enjoyed your beautifull town and christmas markets (all of them! )
For the cups with mulled wine you pay deposit, then you can decide whether you want to keep the cup as a souvenir (are nicely decorated), or return the cup and get the deposit money back. Good also for the environment.
The christmas balls used to decorate the christmas trees of the Queen in Great Britain are made in Lauscha, Germany. They’re traditionally handmade, unique and very beautiful.
I usually go to the German Market in Edinburgh for Christmas it's great. Lots of mulled cider, barbecue bratwurst, sweet treats, etc all under the castle.
The christmas traditions depending on the region where you live. In southern germany you`ll find the Krampus as example. But there are much more regions where specific traditions are located. Nice greetings from Dresden.
The Christmas Markets in my hometown Kiel are Magical they are little but so beautyfull my favorite one here at home is the Christmas Village santa is flying over the Village and all the little shops are amazing the food is hmmm it is magical there
While I am from Dresden, I have to admit, that the Dresden Striezelmarkt is not the oldest in Germany. That honor goes to Munich, whose Christmas Market can be traced back to 1310's Nicolaimarkt (St. Nicholaus Market). Frankfurt am Main and Bautzen (a small medieval town not far away from Dresden) come in second at about 650 years of tradition, and Dresden goes next with 600 years.
Christmas Market can be found anywhere in Germany! Even if the City os small there are usually a few stalls on the market place and if you want to enjoy something bigger you just have to go to the next somehow bigger city. Its also full, the amount of people who go there is massive!
Esslingen was good until around 2015. Then it became to famous thanks to youtube vloggers. The last time we went (before Covid), it was so packed that you almost couldn't move.
No idea how I got here in early September....but here are some thoughts. There are plenty of cute (but expensive) items to buy or just admire. Wooden, handcraft, lights, food....if its your first time...take your time! There is X-mas music (often), performences, eat a bit, share it with others to get more of all tastes, smell the candys or hot nuts...and even if you dont "drink"...the Glühwein (hot spicy wine) is a MUST! In white or red...and dont worry! There are always alcohol-free "versions", that are as good ! (For kids or drivers ;)) You always pay extra for the mug itself....if you want to keep it, you already paid for it...if you dont want it - return it and you will get the fee back....in the evening, with some snow, ....
Christmas markets: basically ANY somewhat pedestrian area in inner cities in Germany is covered in small to medium sized stalls selling food, drinks, trinkets, small Christmas themed presents, often hand-crafted and personalized on the spot, lots of lights, decorated Christmas trees small and large, fair ground rides. Often whole inner city roads are closed for the Christmas markets. But the traditional central market plazas from medieval or Renaissance times still are in fairly common use in Germany throughout the year, which is where you find most of the Christmas markets today. The food is typically warming, as hellishly unhealthy as tasty, and rarely if ever eaten sitting down, but rather either standing at the stall you got it from, or on a slow stroll across the market. Usually you eat far too much at far too many stalls, but who cares at the time? Bratwurst / Brats (for you Americans) are among the most common sausage, but Rindswurst / beef sausage, Nürnberger (smaller spiced and herbal Brats), Thüringer, Krakauer, Kielbasa, and several others are sold as well. Other meats are also sold, but less common. French fries, fried potatoes, baked potatos, Kartoffelpuffer (related to the hash browns) but served with an apple-sauce, Rösti (the Swiss relative of the hash browns) are some of the potato products that help heat and fill you up. Breads, often heated over open fires or grills, covered with loads of different toppings, with ALL of the diversity of the hundreds if not thousands of different styles of bread available in Germany, are a major treat. Crepes and other pancake style foods offer something warm for the sweet tooth. Oh, and the loads and loads of sweets. Not standard grocery store but traditional ones, often again hand-crafted on the spot. Roasted nuts like almonds, hazel, walnut, often covered in honey, or caramelized, both hard and soft. The Schaumküsse / something akin to creamy marshmallows, covered in thin dark, light, or even white chocolate; waffles; Lebkuchen (what ginger bread aspires to be when it grows up), and loads of of other baked or fried sweet goodness. Then there is the Glühwein, literal translation "glowing wine". No, it is not incredibly hot, but it is pretty warm to hot, just hot enough to almost burn your lips on the first sip, but perfect to warm your hands on the earthenware mug it is traditionally served in. Many stalls used to offer you to drink it from plastic cups but this has recently been discontinued as one-use plastic-ware has been pulled off the market in general in Germany. Most stalls ask for a small deposit of three to five Euros / roughly $3.5 to $6 per mug so you return the mugs, or if you really like it, you can take it home. As a courtesy to the stall owners, please be so kind to tell them if you intend to do so, so they can break out the additional mugs from storage. Visitors strolling through the market holding, or rather cradling those mugs is a common sight on Christmas markets. The wine itsself is sweet (some say sickly sweet), almost like fruit juice with an alcohol content, plus several spices such as cinnamon and cloves, sometimes ground, but most often whole , floating in sticks or cloves in huge, heated bowls from which it is served. Usually you get something from 300 to 500 ml / ca. 10 to 16 fl oz in your mug. Due to the heating of the wine, the alcohol content is lower than normal but the sweetness definitely makes up for lack of alcohol in the hang-over department. So if you are a lightweight in alcohol consumption, stick to one mug. But sticking to one mug is difficult as it is yummy, and once cooled off a bit, faaar too easy to just chug down and get a new one. A one to two hours visit to a Christmas market is the usual course of the day for most people. The most magical time is obviously when the sun sets (which is roughly at 5 P.M. in Germany in December), and all the electric lights make the area shine a in a warm, glowing light. But even during a gloomy, slightly foggy or drizzly day, a visit to a Christmas market can lift your spirits. /edit: Many smaller traditions in Germany vary a LOT from Bundesland to Bundesland / state to state, heck, often even from city to city in one and the same state. But here is a short list: Adventskalender / advents calender: usually a store-bought 'calender' with doors or bags, numbered 1 to 24, with a small bit of chocolate behind each door or in the bag. Usually for kids to have something sweet to start the day, and to help them count down to Christmas Eve / Heiligabend. The evening of the December 6th is another small highlight for kids, as this is Nikolaus. Saint Nikolaos of Myra is the figure that the American Santa Claus is based upon. It was a real life monk who, after being tortured during the Christian purge in the early 4th century, shared almost all of his wealth with the poor. Thus the tradition of St Nikolaus spread first through the eastern churches, and later throughout Europe. Kids get a small present, often sweets on this day. December 24th: On Christmas Day a long standing tradition is that classic fairy tale stories are broadcast by many TV stations to help kids pass the time until presents are opened. One of the most beloved and beautiful is "Drei Nüsse für Aschenbrödel", / "Three nuts for Aschenbrödel" , a Czech version of Cinderella, and I dare say the true original version, upon which the Brothers Grimm based their Aschenputtel /Cinderella fairy tale. This TV fairy tale has been around for more than fourty years and has raised literally generations of Germans. Which is why it is beloved and watched even among adults, because it is so sweet and cute. Christmas Eve , December 24th, is the time that a huge dinner is usually served, and Christmas presents are opened, not on the morning of the 25th. Many religious people often go to special Christmas sermons in Church in the afternoon, and sometimes again late at night, depending on if they are protestant or catholic. December 25th and 26th are public holidays when people usually sleep in, go to church, or visit family and friends, and often simply relax.
My mom told me the exakt same thing! She went on a bus- trip to the Erfurt christmas market a few years ago and is still speaking about it (and she saw quite a few ones so far)
Glühwein is a hot, mulled wine with Christmassy spices. When the temperature is -10C (14F) or lower it tastes wonderful. If the temperature is above freezing, it tastes awful.
Christmas most likely originated in Germany (in: The Catholic church took an old pagan holiday and since they were unable to just get rid of it, just added its christian believs to it). The Christmas tree was invented over here, and a lot of Christmas traditions originated here. Christmas markets are basically just an extension of all the celebrations we do through year, but with a lot of lights to brighten the "dark time of the year" (literally, there are only a few hours daylight during winter). It's a good place for craftsmen to offer their goods, but most people just go there to drink mullet wine and meet up with friends. (Mullet wine (Glühwein) is basically heated wine with spices) or buy special Christmas treats like "gebrannte Mandeln" (candied almonds).
"The Catholic church took an old pagan holiday and since they were unable to just get rid of it" Christmas was for long just one of many (Catholic) church holidays. Children received small gifts on Saint Nicholas (6th December). Only Martin Luther moved this popular task to Christmas as he wanted to get rid of the (medieval style) Catholic cult of saints. And like with many things economics played also a role. Most German free imperial cities opted for Protestantism (or allowed both faiths). Cities like Nuremberg saw this as an opportunity to market their products (e.g. gingerbread and toys). And the oldest Christmas markets can be found consequently also in protestant cities (Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Strasbourg, Dresden). As in some regions of Germany Catholics and Protestants lived close to each other and partly sharing even the same churches ( simultaneous churches which were separated by a wall into a Catholic and a Protestant part), some things were copied swiftly (various Christmas related things, church music, later on also architecture). "... get rid of it" Get rid of what exactly? The only known older Christmas traditions are nativity scenes / plays coming from Italy. Some Roman background here - but not a pagan one. The first Christmas trees had not even candles. The Christmas trees were first introduced by some guilds for their apprentices to pick up small gifts (apples, nuts, ...). at the very beginning. Some creativity after Saint Nicholas could no more bring the gifts like before (albeit later and elsewhere as Santa Claus again). The chandlers not among those guilds at first. But of course, also those realized soon the economical benefits.
Actually Germany invented the Christmases Tree, the colorful glass ornaments were invented in Lauscha/Germany... the Adventwreath and the Adventkalender was also invented here as well as almost any cookie recipe There are 2500 markets in the country and many gi every evening
Another American that didn’t bother to visit the north. On multiple british Newpapers like the Guardian for example the number one spot went to Bremen, wich she didn‘t even mention. Hamburgs smaller one along the river alster also looks good never been to the main one tho. And Lübeck also has a Great one if my memory doesn’t deceive me.
Glühwein is Mulled Wine. I visited Munich a couple years ago, to go to a concert, and spent the rest of the time visiting the various Xmas markets, including a day over in Austria and the Saltzberg Market and then the Cologne market, when traveling back to the UK/visit a friend
I’m surprised no one mentioned the wonderful market in Heidelberg in the comments. With the lid up castleruins overlooking the whole spectacle. Also a personal favorite of mine is the one in a small town called ‘Bad Wimpfen’. You should check it out 😉
I noticed you said you liked mountain scenery. Why not go to the Munich Christmas Markets, the Christmas feel and architecture there is beautiful. Then a short journey South to Nchwanstein Castle and experience the fairy tale Castle that inspired Walt Disney surrounded by the German Alps.
Out of a Disney movie? What do you think where Disney has most of their stuff today? Grimms fairytals? Evan the iconic Disney castle (Neuschwanstein). Disney where never were abele to grow so big without taking all the German stuff and sugar-coated it (I mean with a layer fist thick of sugar). But to get serious the Christmas markets in Germany is truly magical (after the third or forth “Glühwein”)
Good day. I come from Germany and can only say one thing. Christmas markets in cities do not offer a Christmassy atmosphere. If you want to experience Christmas in Germany, there is only one region where Christmas is really lived and that all year round. This region is the "Erzgebirge". Anyone who's ever been here will understand what I mean. Every town has its own market here, even if only 1,000 people live there. My tip is to look at something about it. Sincerely, a German viewer
I don't now if it's the same in rest of Germany but in my hometown and also in the whole region we have several Market's like that over the year. Most of the time you can buy the same stuff on all market's but the style of that market's of course changes depending on what time of the year it is. In my hometown we have 3 over the year. One in Feb. on the Fasnachts time (Karneval/Fasching). Then one for our steam train from 1899 still driving today, think it is around Jun. . And then of course the Christmas Market for a whole week. The only difference is that you can buy angels and other stuff only at Christmas time and in summer you get no Glühwein. Maybe i sould go this year and visit christmas market, wasn't there the last 5 years i think...
There have been several Christmas markets in Manchester with products from all over Europe. Craft items, sweet & savoury foods included. Expensive, but worth it!
The Nuremberg/Nürnberg Christkindlmarkt is the biggest i have been to and its really an experience. For me thats a bit too much though. As the narrator said in that video, during christmas time you are never too far away from a christmas market somewhere. Every little town has its own and i prefer cozy little towns with cozy little christmas markets. Also, i like those that either restrict to or put a special emphasis on traditional handcrafted goods. A lot of americans have german heritage and there are christmas markets in the US too, especially in those places where a lot of germans settled and still practice their traditions, like Milwaukee WI (thats where i have some friends who told me about it) but also several other places.
The medieval christmas market in Esslingen is hands down my favourite market of any kind (mostly because I don't like the 'normal' christmas markets too much). I used to live in the area, so I'd go almost every year. Been to markets in Berlin, Cologne, Augsburg and in a few smaller places, but nothing matches the charm of that one.
love christmas markets though I've only been too Southamptons christmas markets which usually had lots of yummy things and my home towns very small christmas market and also seen some in new york around christmas time when we went there on holiday though they always have good food :) and great unque gifts.
I live in Dordrecht in the Netherlands, and besides the cancellations the last 2 years due to Covid, in my city there is normally the biggerst Christmas market of the Netherlands, people from all over (even from Germany and Belgium) visits Dordrecht in December to enjoy this rather big "kerstmarkt"
In northern Europe half of the year it is cold, wet and dark, that is why we have all the comunitarian events to get trunken... äh funny in this time (Oktoberfest until Karneval (Feb/Mar)), just not to get depressed. When there is no c. also nearly all the small towns and villages make one weekend a christmas market, organised by the local clubs (not christmasmarketclubs but tennisclub or footballclub etc.).
I live in Vienna / Austria, and we have a lot of Christmas markets (Christkindlmarkt) here, not only in Vienna, but all over Austria. With us, it is not Santa Claus who comes, but the Christkindl (that is the Jesus child as an angel).
There are German Christmas markets in the US, they're just in parts of the country where there's a large German heritage in states like Minnesota, Wisconsin and certain parts of Texas. In Texas, the Hill country outside of Austin in Fredericksburg and out in west Texas , Lukinbach. There's a dialect in Texas that's somewhat going extinct called Texas German. I think that Swiss, German and Austrian Consulates around the country may sponsor Christmas markets as a way to promote some of the culture on those countries given they are all German speaking countries for the most part. French and Italian are also co official languages in Switzerland but German is spoken by close to 3/4 of the population.
I was surprised Nürnberg only got an honourable mention, I would have expected them to challenge Dresden for top spot. Also the towns in the Erzgebirge/Ore Mountains deserve to be mentioned.
Bath in Somerset has a pretty Christmas Market - last year it looked magical with the Abby in the background (and some flakes of fake snow) - Jane Austen would have loved it.
There are some of the cities that I as a German didn't even know, that they exist. I'm talking about Monschau and Esslingen. Well, we Germans have Halloween for a couple of years, which I knew as a child only from American films. So, maybe Americans tend to have Christmas markets more and more, because it's really nice at Christmas time. Why not learning from each other how to "party" some events?
Well at Christmas u either get judged by crampus or spanked by Santa My favorite market is the one in Potsdam, the city itself is on another levels and the market is just beautiful
Although Germany has many of the biggest & best Chritmas markets, these sort of markets are among the biggest & best in Europe, similar markets can be found accross Europe, particularly the Scandinavia, Netherlands, AUstria, Finland, Poland, Czech republic.
@Spencer Rees Thanks. I forgot about BirminghamThe only places I've been to in Birmingham, are St Andrews & Villa Park. We lost on both occasions, I've been trying to forget about Birmingham ever since. Merry Christmas.
The best Berlin Christmas market that I went was at Charlottenburg Palace, the others at Alexanderplatz and Kurfürstendamm are good, but tend to start to blend into one after a while (most of the market's sell most of the same stuff). Top tip, never buy gluhwein that's been heated all day as most of the alcohol is gone ;)
we have a big Christmas market in York which is always great. my favourite decoration is the mobiles powered by candles, the heat drives them round there were some in a giant form in your video though perhaps they had electric motors
Yes, they are powered by electricity. It would be quite hazardous to make fires big enough to drive those big things. Also, some of them only move the upper tiers and have a Glühwein- place on the ground floor
Let me know what your favorite Christmas market is! Also, like and subscribe if you enjoyed this video 👍🏻
Throughout Europe, the main celebrations are not held on the same day. For many countries, the biggest day is Christmas Eve,. Many Orthodox countries, celebrate on January 6th/7th. Also, it isn't always Santa Claus who delivers the present, in Italy, it is the broomstick riding witch, Befana, in Iceland, it is the Yule lads, perhaps a prototype for the seven dwarves . They have a giant cat who eats the naughty children. in Finlamd, it is Joulupukki, a man-like creature, who resembles a goat. Un the Netherlands, it is Sinterklaas, who os closer to the actual St Nicholas than our Santa is, wearing a Bisop's mitre & carryong a crozier. He is assisted by Black Pete, a former slave who Sinterklaas freed, & who decided to stay with Sinterklaas, to help him. Sinterklaas arrives from the south (possibly Spain), by boat. Grandfather Frost is, I believe an attempt by the communist government of Romania to remove anything remotely christian from the mid-winter celebrations. Most Romainians have reverted back to their pre- communist traditions.
The most beautiful christmas market in Germany is in Erfurt.
He was the second place from all christmas markets in Europe.
But 2020 all christmas markets was cancelled .... :(
Btw. almost every village/city/town in Germany have a christmas market at least at one weekend in december. ;)
And visit a christmas market every year is a MUST for every German. ;)
Herzliche Weihnachtsgrüße aus Deutschland!
Dresden Christmas Market has a part that is a small historical market selling medieval inspired food and has a bathtub
yes you heard right, hot bathtub on a christmas market, open, for four people, and you get served drinks
I don't have a favorite christmas market, but I personally prefer the smaller ones in smaller towns over the big ones in big cities. The big ones are still great, but the smaller ones are just more relaxing and peaceful.
Here in Birmingham UK, we have a yearly German Christmas Market, I think ours is the biggest outside of Germany
@Spencer Rees Yeahh I go every year for frankfurts and gifts and it's really festive. Really sad it wasn't around this year
@Spencer Rees ...outside of Germany AND Austria.
If it will still happen after Brexit
I always go to New St for the stollen cake, yum yum.
@R. Andromeda You missed the OPs claim that the biggest Christmas market outside Germany is in the UK.
This is incorrect.
There are bigger ones in Austria.
Thus the UK got the biggest Christmas market, outside Germany and Austria.
Gluhwein is spiced hot wine infused with cinnamon and cloves etc. Just the thing to hold and sip when wandering around a frosty market. We call it mulled wine in the UK.
while holding it your hands stay warm and by drinking it your body gets warm, perfect for winter :D
Yes Germany does great christmas markets.
Also you might be interested in knowing .that Prince Albert, who was the husband of Queen Victoria .
First introduced the Christmas tree into England.
Prince Albert was German.
And the royal family still opens their christmas gifts on 24th as all Germans do haha
I grew up in Germany but we moved to Australia when I was a teenager. This video made me so homesick my stomach hurts.
I'm from the Netherlands and we have Christmas markets but they are nothing next to the German ones. Last year we went to the Duesseldorf market and i really enjoyed it!! It's just a 1,5 hour drive from where I live.
But please don't drink and drive. Bedankt.
Hopefully by bus, with the right travel agency there are even free tickets for local transport
Every weekend my city Essen is full of you guys. You are welcome
A top 10 list about christmas markets without Nuremberg can't be good. One of the most iconic ones.
Speaking of Disney; check out: Neuschwanstein Castle. It's the inspiration for the Sleeping beauty castle. Truly breathtaking.
Also check out Tivoli in Denmark it was a major inspiration for Walt Disneys first park, and it it is a wonderfull place. Also Neuschwanstein Castle is amazing look into the history of the german prince that built it.
The prince of Neuschwanstein was a bit of a bookworm he has a beautiful libary there but his life was cuite tragig
I used to live in Germany and the Christmas Markets are so beautiful, they really get into the Christmas atmosphere. Braunschweig, Wolfenbuttel, Goslar, Bremen, Hanover and many more Chirstmas markets are worth a visit.
I'm from Esslingen (8:00), and the medieval Christmas market in the medieval city center is something to behold. Half-timbered houses, cobblestone lanes, several old churches around the market place. Hard to beat that atmosphere. ^^
I live in Liverpool UK and we also have German Christmas markets at Christmas time, I’m sure it’s nothing compared to the real thing but it’s so magical. 😁
Greetings to Liverpool, home of the "Fab Four", from Germany!
I have spent some time living and working in Munich, especially around the Christmas run up. Munich is tucked up just under the Alps so it is ideally placed to have crisp cold and often snowy weather. The classic Christmas card scene we imagine could be any snap shot photo of German towns at Christmas time.
When you buy a cup of Gluhwien you also pay for the china cup if you wish to keep it. If not, it can be returned to the vendor where you can get the value of the cup back. A couple of warm mulled wines on a cold evening walking around a market are just the ticket. I really like Germany.
On a different note. I was walking in Munich one day when an old WW2 bomb was control detonated by the bomb squad from which a few windows were broken by the blast. Quite a few old bombs are found when new building work takes place. It's an odd feeling to be a Brit standing in Munich hearing a bomb explode which was dropped by the British or American forces and meant to explode, kill and destroy the area nearby.
Wow, that must have been surreal. Germany definitely looks like a picturesque postcard from what I've seen.
Hi there, yes these old Bombs are troublesome. Our Kampfmittelbeiseitungdienst (Special Bomb Defusing Unit) defuses approximately around 5000 Unexploded Ordnances and 20-30 bigger Ones, usually 500 lbs or more. Estimations are that ~100.000 big Ones still linger in the ground.
Oh and my Neice and Nephew are in a Elementary School where two UXO are right under the Main Building. Two Big yellow Crosses on the Main Hall floor with Fences around.
To defuse them, most of the Building has to be slowly debuild by hand.
I'm living and Belgium and I have easy access to three ! of these cities : Aachen , Monschau and Cologne ( maximum 1 hour by car for Cologne ) , and I absolutely recommend the three of them . A must see , at least one time in a life .
Innsbruck lies halfway between Italy and Germany, just 25 miles away from each border. This creates a curious situation. Many Italians want to experience a real nice Christmas market in a Middle Age town, and thus travel to Innsbruck, which is "German enough", albeit being in Austria. And many of the stalls at the Innsbruck Christmas market are operated by South Tyroleans, who technically are Italians, but speak German and live right south of the Austrian-Italian border.
So the Innsbruck Christmas market caters to Italians traveling to Austria, who wants to buy stuff from German speaking Italians in Austria, while feeling in Germany.
My mum went to Germany just for the Christmas markets, lots of food & hand crafted gifts.
Over here in the states most German communities hold them. We went to New Braunfels in TX for one a couple of years ago.
You should visit Leavenworth in Washington state.
Thanks, I didn't know that. I've apparently never lived close enough to a German community to know about these.
Wow. You just convinced me to go to a German Christmas market next year!!
In general Dresden is a beautiful city to visit. Another good christmas market to visit is in Osnabrueck (lower saxony state and my hometown)
Christmas markets are extremely popular in Germany, even people from other countrys come over here to visit these markets :D
I feel really sad that almost all of Germany's traditional Christmas markets have been cancelled due to the pandemic. 😥
Hopefully they'll be back next year!
@@SoGal_YT We too!!
@@SoGal_YT Probably not going to happen.
You should absolutely visit Europe during December and experience this, I'm an expat living in Birmingham, England where we also have a travelling German market visit during the Christmas
period. The atmosphere is always delightful.
I think that German has very famous Christmas markets based on the (most) Catholic tradition of Germany. Because of this Catholic tradition nearly all shops are regulary closed on Sundays in Germany. The US has a protestant-british tradition. You can see difference between German Christmas and British Christmas tradition. 1. Nikolaus ( "Santa Claus" December 6th ). In Germany Nikolaus visits German households on this day and brings little presents like sweets to the children hidden in shoes and socks. I think in the UK this tradition does not exits. 2. Four weeks before Christmas (December 24th) Christmas time begins in Germany, normally at the end of November. The four sundays before Christmas are "Der 1., 2., 3. und 4. Advent". A lot of households light 1 candle (1. Advent), 2 candles (2. Advent), 3 candles (3. Advent) and 4 candles (4. Advent). The "4. Advent" is the last sunday before Christmas Eve. 3. In Germany Christmas is celebrated on December 24th, in Germany called "Heiligabend" ("Holy Evening"). In the UK this day is "Christmas Eve" and Christmas is celebrated on December 25th (which is "Erster Weihnachtstag" (First Christmas Day) in Germany). And on December 26th ("Zweiter Weihnachtstag" / Second Christmas Day / in the UK called "Boxing Day") is the third Celebration Day in Germany that means in Germany we have three days of Christmas that are celebration days and everything is closed (with the exception of December 24th. On this day shops are open in the morning before closing at lunchtime). Greetings from Germany!!!
There are lots of Christmas Markets in the UK - London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast...in fact every major city and town.
In a normal year, we have German and French Christmas markets come to my city here in the UK.
@Spencer Rees A market from France along the same lines of the German ones that visit the UK selling French foods and goods.
Some towns in the UK also do 'Dickensian' Christmas markets where the market, stallholders and even a lot of visitors will dress up.
When I lived in Germany we popped to Berchtesgaden just before Christmas. One terrifying tradition they have there is buttnmandl; straw figures running through the streets and beating unsuspecting pedestrians with sticks! It was extremely odd and surreal.
Birmingham in the Uk has the biggest Christmas market outside of Germany and omg it’s amazing
I have been waiting for Dresden 👍🏻
I've been to the Christmas market in Birmingham a couple of times, and to Manchester too. They are ideal for visiting in the run up to Christmas, you can find the most amazing stuff. A woman I used to work with made a point of going to Germany each year to do the markets, but I've not been that far.
Im a German. Was on the Birmingham market .. actually there were true german stalls. Just the buns on the bratwurst snacks was just wrong and the mulled wine was too thin , so it's quite close but still ... come to germany and compare yourself 🎅🤶👼
the best thing by our christmasmarkets is the smell ❤ I love the most the Lübeck Christmasmarket cause its all over the citycenter.....and it is my hometown.🥰
I was about to say this! Glühwein, Bratwurst, bonfires and cotton candy makes the most wonderful smell! Also, I visited Lübeck in december a few years back and I really enjoyed your beautifull town and christmas markets (all of them! )
@@crowwithgreeneyes9054 👍 don`t forget the roasted almonds 🥰
For the cups with mulled wine you pay deposit, then you can decide whether you want to keep the cup as a souvenir (are nicely decorated), or return the cup and get the deposit money back. Good also for the environment.
The christmas balls used to decorate the christmas trees of the Queen in Great Britain are made in Lauscha, Germany. They’re traditionally handmade, unique and very beautiful.
I usually go to the German Market in Edinburgh for Christmas it's great. Lots of mulled cider, barbecue bratwurst, sweet treats, etc all under the castle.
The christmas traditions depending on the region where you live. In southern germany you`ll find the Krampus as example. But there are much more regions where specific traditions are located.
Nice greetings from Dresden.
The Christmas Markets in my hometown Kiel are Magical they are little but so beautyfull my favorite one here at home is the Christmas Village santa is flying over the Village and all the little shops are amazing the food is hmmm it is magical there
Jäger is the short version of Jägermeister. It's a brand of Schnaps. The literal translation is huntermaster.
Why on earth are we sitting here mid august watching christmas market videos?🤔😄
I'm from Germany and we go to a christmas Market every year (besides 2020 and 2021 because of Corona), its a really Special Feeling :)
I lived in germany for 15 years, loved every minute, especially christmas time, nowhere near as commercialised as the Uk very traditional .
While I am from Dresden, I have to admit, that the Dresden Striezelmarkt is not the oldest in Germany. That honor goes to Munich, whose Christmas Market can be traced back to 1310's Nicolaimarkt (St. Nicholaus Market). Frankfurt am Main and Bautzen (a small medieval town not far away from Dresden) come in second at about 650 years of tradition, and Dresden goes next with 600 years.
Christmas Market can be found anywhere in Germany! Even if the City os small there are usually a few stalls on the market place and if you want to enjoy something bigger you just have to go to the next somehow bigger city. Its also full, the amount of people who go there is massive!
you really should take the leap and visit one year i promise you will love it.
Two cities merge in Berlin. Berlin and Neukoelln. Altogether, 5 million people live there. I think that's why there are 16 Christmas markets there.
I live in Germany, I love Christmas markets, but never knew that this is like a German thing. I thought it was a causal thing all around
Wrong. It,s a German Thing.
Esslingen was good until around 2015. Then it became to famous thanks to youtube vloggers. The last time we went (before Covid), it was so packed that you almost couldn't move.
Yeah that's the reason I don't like the christmas market in Aachen. It's beautiful but you can't move a finger because of all the people.
11:00 I guess she meant Jägermeister. It is very well known herbal liqueur.
in the UK they are often called German Christmas markets complete with mugs of hot mulled wine
No idea how I got here in early September....but here are some thoughts. There are plenty of cute (but expensive) items to buy or just admire. Wooden, handcraft, lights, food....if its your first time...take your time! There is X-mas music (often), performences, eat a bit, share it with others to get more of all tastes, smell the candys or hot nuts...and even if you dont "drink"...the Glühwein (hot spicy wine) is a MUST! In white or red...and dont worry! There are always alcohol-free "versions", that are as good ! (For kids or drivers ;)) You always pay extra for the mug itself....if you want to keep it, you already paid for it...if you dont want it - return it and you will get the fee back....in the evening, with some snow, ....
Britain's Christmas markets are good too! They are everywhere! Manchester's are small but nice; loved them when I was at university there.
The Christmas markets ins the UK are German Christmas markets 😂
@@wss2191 Mostly lol
The big city ones do seem to be German Christmas markets but in my home town there's a British Christmas market filled with independent stalls
Christmas markets: basically ANY somewhat pedestrian area in inner cities in Germany is covered in small to medium sized stalls selling food, drinks, trinkets, small Christmas themed presents, often hand-crafted and personalized on the spot, lots of lights, decorated Christmas trees small and large, fair ground rides. Often whole inner city roads are closed for the Christmas markets. But the traditional central market plazas from medieval or Renaissance times still are in fairly common use in Germany throughout the year, which is where you find most of the Christmas markets today.
The food is typically warming, as hellishly unhealthy as tasty, and rarely if ever eaten sitting down, but rather either standing at the stall you got it from, or on a slow stroll across the market.
Usually you eat far too much at far too many stalls, but who cares at the time?
Bratwurst / Brats (for you Americans) are among the most common sausage, but Rindswurst / beef sausage, Nürnberger (smaller spiced and herbal Brats), Thüringer, Krakauer, Kielbasa, and several others are sold as well. Other meats are also sold, but less common.
French fries, fried potatoes, baked potatos, Kartoffelpuffer (related to the hash browns) but served with an apple-sauce, Rösti (the Swiss relative of the hash browns) are some of the potato products that help heat and fill you up.
Breads, often heated over open fires or grills, covered with loads of different toppings, with ALL of the diversity of the hundreds if not thousands of different styles of bread available in Germany, are a major treat.
Crepes and other pancake style foods offer something warm for the sweet tooth.
Oh, and the loads and loads of sweets. Not standard grocery store but traditional ones, often again hand-crafted on the spot. Roasted nuts like almonds, hazel, walnut, often covered in honey, or caramelized, both hard and soft. The Schaumküsse / something akin to creamy marshmallows, covered in thin dark, light, or even white chocolate; waffles; Lebkuchen (what ginger bread aspires to be when it grows up), and loads of of other baked or fried sweet goodness.
Then there is the Glühwein, literal translation "glowing wine". No, it is not incredibly hot, but it is pretty warm to hot, just hot enough to almost burn your lips on the first sip, but perfect to warm your hands on the earthenware mug it is traditionally served in. Many stalls used to offer you to drink it from plastic cups but this has recently been discontinued as one-use plastic-ware has been pulled off the market in general in Germany.
Most stalls ask for a small deposit of three to five Euros / roughly $3.5 to $6 per mug so you return the mugs, or if you really like it, you can take it home. As a courtesy to the stall owners, please be so kind to tell them if you intend to do so, so they can break out the additional mugs from storage.
Visitors strolling through the market holding, or rather cradling those mugs is a common sight on Christmas markets.
The wine itsself is sweet (some say sickly sweet), almost like fruit juice with an alcohol content, plus several spices such as cinnamon and cloves, sometimes ground, but most often whole , floating in sticks or cloves in huge, heated bowls from which it is served.
Usually you get something from 300 to 500 ml / ca. 10 to 16 fl oz in your mug. Due to the heating of the wine, the alcohol content is lower than normal but the sweetness definitely makes up for lack of alcohol in the hang-over department. So if you are a lightweight in alcohol consumption, stick to one mug.
But sticking to one mug is difficult as it is yummy, and once cooled off a bit, faaar too easy to just chug down and get a new one.
A one to two hours visit to a Christmas market is the usual course of the day for most people. The most magical time is obviously when the sun sets (which is roughly at 5 P.M. in Germany in December), and all the electric lights make the area shine a in a warm, glowing light. But even during a gloomy, slightly foggy or drizzly day, a visit to a Christmas market can lift your spirits.
/edit: Many smaller traditions in Germany vary a LOT from Bundesland to Bundesland / state to state, heck, often even from city to city in one and the same state.
But here is a short list:
Adventskalender / advents calender: usually a store-bought 'calender' with doors or bags, numbered 1 to 24, with a small bit of chocolate behind each door or in the bag. Usually for kids to have something sweet to start the day, and to help them count down to Christmas Eve / Heiligabend.
The evening of the December 6th is another small highlight for kids, as this is Nikolaus. Saint Nikolaos of Myra is the figure that the American Santa Claus is based upon. It was a real life monk who, after being tortured during the Christian purge in the early 4th century, shared almost all of his wealth with the poor. Thus the tradition of St Nikolaus spread first through the eastern churches, and later throughout Europe. Kids get a small present, often sweets on this day.
December 24th: On Christmas Day a long standing tradition is that classic fairy tale stories are broadcast by many TV stations to help kids pass the time until presents are opened.
One of the most beloved and beautiful is "Drei Nüsse für Aschenbrödel", / "Three nuts for Aschenbrödel" , a Czech version of Cinderella, and I dare say the true original version, upon which the Brothers Grimm based their Aschenputtel /Cinderella fairy tale. This TV fairy tale has been around for more than fourty years and has raised literally generations of Germans. Which is why it is beloved and watched even among adults, because it is so sweet and cute.
Christmas Eve , December 24th, is the time that a huge dinner is usually served, and Christmas presents are opened, not on the morning of the 25th.
Many religious people often go to special Christmas sermons in Church in the afternoon, and sometimes again late at night, depending on if they are protestant or catholic.
December 25th and 26th are public holidays when people usually sleep in, go to church, or visit family and friends, and often simply relax.
Be sure to visit the Erfurt Christmas Market, one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany 🎄❤️
My mom told me the exakt same thing! She went on a bus- trip to the Erfurt christmas market a few years ago and is still speaking about it (and she saw quite a few ones so far)
the most famous one in germany is the "Striezelmarkt" in Dresden, check it out, its great
Glühwein is a hot, mulled wine with Christmassy spices. When the temperature is -10C (14F) or lower it tastes wonderful. If the temperature is above freezing, it tastes awful.
You own one more Christmas sweater than me, I wont judge.
Christmas most likely originated in Germany (in: The Catholic church took an old pagan holiday and since they were unable to just get rid of it, just added its christian believs to it). The Christmas tree was invented over here, and a lot of Christmas traditions originated here. Christmas markets are basically just an extension of all the celebrations we do through year, but with a lot of lights to brighten the "dark time of the year" (literally, there are only a few hours daylight during winter). It's a good place for craftsmen to offer their goods, but most people just go there to drink mullet wine and meet up with friends. (Mullet wine (Glühwein) is basically heated wine with spices) or buy special Christmas treats like "gebrannte Mandeln" (candied almonds).
"The Catholic church took an old pagan holiday and since they were unable to just get rid of it"
Christmas was for long just one of many (Catholic) church holidays. Children received small gifts on Saint Nicholas (6th December). Only Martin Luther moved this popular task to Christmas as he wanted to get rid of the (medieval style) Catholic cult of saints. And like with many things economics played also a role. Most German free imperial cities opted for Protestantism (or allowed both faiths). Cities like Nuremberg saw this as an opportunity to market their products (e.g. gingerbread and toys). And the oldest Christmas markets can be found consequently also in protestant cities (Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Strasbourg, Dresden). As in some regions of Germany Catholics and Protestants lived close to each other and partly sharing even the same churches (
simultaneous churches which were separated by a wall into a Catholic and a Protestant part), some things were copied swiftly (various Christmas related things, church music, later on also architecture).
"... get rid of it" Get rid of what exactly? The only known older Christmas traditions are nativity scenes / plays coming from Italy. Some Roman background here - but not a pagan one. The first Christmas trees had not even candles. The Christmas trees were first introduced by some guilds for their apprentices to pick up small gifts (apples, nuts, ...). at the very beginning. Some creativity after Saint Nicholas could no more bring the gifts like before (albeit later and elsewhere as Santa Claus again). The chandlers not among those guilds at first. But of course, also those realized soon the economical benefits.
Edinburgh Xmas market is lovely and apart from this year. My family always go from Newcastle ☺️
Actually Germany invented the Christmases Tree, the colorful glass ornaments were invented in Lauscha/Germany... the Adventwreath and the Adventkalender was also invented here as well as almost any cookie recipe
There are 2500 markets in the country and many gi every evening
Hello, wonderful greetings from Germany and I can tell our Christmas Markets are beautiful. Sincerely, Marlon. Ps my English is not so good xD
That's what Christmas is all about. Carol singers and bands playing make it even better.
We do have Christmas markets in the uk too as do a lot of European countries I love the Christmas markets make me feel really Christmassy
Haha I am a student from Dresden and I can Agree that it is pretty nice and one of the best.... But i also have a lot of childhood nostalgia for Halle
I'm pretty sure that Germany celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve. Gluhwein is spiced red wine, drunk quite warm. Not sure a paper cup would do it.
Another American that didn’t bother to visit the north. On multiple british Newpapers like the Guardian for example the number one spot went to Bremen, wich she didn‘t even mention. Hamburgs smaller one along the river alster also looks good never been to the main one tho. And Lübeck also has a Great one if my memory doesn’t deceive me.
I always get a currywurst at the German Market in my local city, not happening this year unfortunately 😕
Glühwein is Mulled Wine. I visited Munich a couple years ago, to go to a concert, and spent the rest of the time visiting the various Xmas markets, including a day over in Austria and the Saltzberg Market and then the Cologne market, when traveling back to the UK/visit a friend
I’m surprised no one mentioned the wonderful market in Heidelberg in the comments. With the lid up castleruins overlooking the whole spectacle. Also a personal favorite of mine is the one in a small town called ‘Bad Wimpfen’. You should check it out 😉
I noticed you said you liked mountain scenery. Why not go to the Munich Christmas Markets, the Christmas feel and architecture there is beautiful. Then a short journey South to Nchwanstein Castle and experience the fairy tale Castle that inspired Walt Disney surrounded by the German Alps.
I live in the near to Dresden and Dresden is my favorite market
Watch Christmas in Zagreb- Croatia 😊 also very beautiiful
Out of a Disney movie? What do you think where Disney has most of their stuff today? Grimms fairytals? Evan the iconic Disney castle (Neuschwanstein). Disney where never were abele to grow so big without taking all the German stuff and sugar-coated it (I mean with a layer fist thick of sugar). But to get serious the Christmas markets in Germany is truly magical (after the third or forth “Glühwein”)
Let's be fair...European stuff. They also "took inspiration" from Italy, France and Denmark.
Good day. I come from Germany and can only say one thing. Christmas markets in cities do not offer a Christmassy atmosphere. If you want to experience Christmas in Germany, there is only one region where Christmas is really lived and that all year round. This region is the "Erzgebirge". Anyone who's ever been here will understand what I mean. Every town has its own market here, even if only 1,000 people live there. My tip is to look at something about it. Sincerely, a German viewer
I don't now if it's the same in rest of Germany but in my hometown and also in the whole region we have several Market's like that over the year. Most of the time you can buy the same stuff on all market's but the style of that market's of course changes depending on what time of the year it is. In my hometown we have 3 over the year. One in Feb. on the Fasnachts time (Karneval/Fasching). Then one for our steam train from 1899 still driving today, think it is around Jun. . And then of course the Christmas Market for a whole week. The only difference is that you can buy angels and other stuff only at Christmas time and in summer you get no Glühwein. Maybe i sould go this year and visit christmas market, wasn't there the last 5 years i think...
There have been several Christmas markets in Manchester with products from all over Europe. Craft items, sweet & savoury foods included. Expensive, but worth it!
The Nuremberg/Nürnberg Christkindlmarkt is the biggest i have been to and its really an experience. For me thats a bit too much though. As the narrator said in that video, during christmas time you are never too far away from a christmas market somewhere. Every little town has its own and i prefer cozy little towns with cozy little christmas markets. Also, i like those that either restrict to or put a special emphasis on traditional handcrafted goods.
A lot of americans have german heritage and there are christmas markets in the US too, especially in those places where a lot of germans settled and still practice their traditions, like Milwaukee WI (thats where i have some friends who told me about it) but also several other places.
The medieval christmas market in Esslingen is hands down my favourite market of any kind (mostly because I don't like the 'normal' christmas markets too much). I used to live in the area, so I'd go almost every year. Been to markets in Berlin, Cologne, Augsburg and in a few smaller places, but nothing matches the charm of that one.
love christmas markets though I've only been too Southamptons christmas markets which usually had lots of yummy things and my home towns very small christmas market and also seen some in new york around christmas time when we went there on holiday though they always have good food :) and great unque gifts.
I live in Dordrecht in the Netherlands, and besides the cancellations the last 2 years due to Covid, in my city there is normally the biggerst Christmas market of the Netherlands, people from all over (even from Germany and Belgium) visits Dordrecht in December to enjoy this rather big "kerstmarkt"
In northern Europe half of the year it is cold, wet and dark, that is why we have all the comunitarian events to get trunken... äh funny in this time (Oktoberfest until Karneval (Feb/Mar)), just not to get depressed. When there is no c. also nearly all the small towns and villages make one weekend a christmas market, organised by the local clubs (not christmasmarketclubs but tennisclub or footballclub etc.).
I love German xmas markets. Gluwine, beer, and Currywurst! Went to a proper one in Wiesbaden a few years back. Proper good piss up.
I`ve never been there , but txe Xmas market in Nürnberg is very famous all over the country
Christmas markets also exist in Austria. I liked the one in Hall/Tyrol rather small but in a very nice environment in this rather old town.
Printen are called Printen because they used molds carved from wood. So they could "print" the same cookie over and over again.
Jäger could be Jägermeister, Germany's most famous herbal liqueur.
I live in Vienna / Austria, and we have a lot of Christmas markets (Christkindlmarkt) here, not only in Vienna, but all over Austria. With us, it is not Santa Claus who comes, but the Christkindl (that is the Jesus child as an angel).
Weihnachtsmarkt Lübeck 👍
11:00 Jägermeister herbal liquor. A digestive.
There are German Christmas markets in the US, they're just in parts of the country where there's a large German heritage in states like Minnesota, Wisconsin and certain parts of Texas. In Texas, the Hill country outside of Austin in Fredericksburg and out in west Texas , Lukinbach. There's a dialect in Texas that's somewhat going extinct called Texas German. I think that Swiss, German and Austrian Consulates around the country may sponsor Christmas markets as a way to promote some of the culture on those countries given they are all German speaking countries for the most part. French and Italian are also co official languages in Switzerland but German is spoken by close to 3/4 of the population.
I was surprised Nürnberg only got an honourable mention, I would have expected them to challenge Dresden for top spot. Also the towns in the Erzgebirge/Ore Mountains deserve to be mentioned.
Bath in Somerset has a pretty Christmas Market - last year it looked magical with the Abby in the background (and some flakes of fake snow) - Jane Austen would have loved it.
There are some of the cities that I as a German didn't even know, that they exist. I'm talking about Monschau and Esslingen. Well, we Germans have Halloween for a couple of years, which I knew as a child only from American films. So, maybe Americans tend to have Christmas markets more and more, because it's really nice at Christmas time. Why not learning from each other how to "party" some events?
It’s very usual to have these Christmas markets in France too. My fav in France is probably the one in Colmar, Alsace.
Im from germany dortmund (: and i like the video
My favourites are Dortmund, Cologne, Munster, Bielefeld, Oberhausen and Bad Salzuflen
Frankfurt is very pretty. The only thing I remember is an Irish pub near a ferris wheel. I went to the xmas market but it was all a blur.
Another very impressive Christmas market is in Vienna, Austria (which is also a German-speaking country).
im german and i thought everybody had these
christmas would be unbelievably boring without them
Well at Christmas u either get judged by crampus or spanked by Santa
My favorite market is the one in Potsdam, the city itself is on another levels and the market is just beautiful
It looks like out of a disney movie because Germany is the inspiration of these movies. Many disney movies are german fairytales
Although Germany has many of the biggest & best Chritmas markets, these sort of markets are among the biggest & best in Europe, similar markets can be found accross Europe, particularly the Scandinavia, Netherlands, AUstria, Finland, Poland, Czech republic.
@Spencer Rees Thanks. I forgot about BirminghamThe only places I've been to in Birmingham, are St Andrews & Villa Park. We lost on both occasions, I've been trying to forget about Birmingham ever since. Merry Christmas.
The best Berlin Christmas market that I went was at Charlottenburg Palace, the others at Alexanderplatz and Kurfürstendamm are good, but tend to start to blend into one after a while (most of the market's sell most of the same stuff). Top tip, never buy gluhwein that's been heated all day as most of the alcohol is gone ;)
we have a big Christmas market in York which is always great.
my favourite decoration is the mobiles powered by candles, the heat drives them round there were some in a giant form in your video though perhaps they had electric motors
Yes, they are powered by electricity. It would be quite hazardous to make fires big enough to drive those big things. Also, some of them only move the upper tiers and have a Glühwein- place on the ground floor
You are so sweet ❤ best wishes from Germany ❤