Top Christmas Markets The Weihnachtsmärkte in Germany are world famous and every city, town and village has its own Christmas market with unique surprises such as miniature railways, medieval stalls, walk through advent calendars and circus performances. The larger cities in Germany typically have several different themed markets, whereas the smaller cities offer more intimate, charming markets, usually based around the old town market square.

Nuremberg This is Germany’s most famous Christmas Market, which has the nickname of “Little Town from Wood and Cloth,” due to the 180 wooden market stalls decorated with red and white cloth in the picturesque old town. The market is known as “Christkindlesmarkt” and attracts over 2 million visitors each year. Every two years, there is a tradition where a girl aged between 16 and 19 years old is chosen as the Nuremberg Christmas Angel (Christkind). She opens the market, spreads Christmas cheer around the town and visits charities and children’s hospitals.Nuremberg is often labelled as the prettiest Christmas market in Germany and each year there is a competition between stall owners to win the award for the most beautiful stall design. The market is famous for its Lebkuchen (spicy gingerbread cakes) and Nuremberg Bratwursts (small charcoal-grilled sausages) which are served with a portion of sauerkraut. Unusual souvenirs you can buy include “Nuremberg Plum People,” (Zwetcshgenmännle) which are tiny statues made from prunes.The Kinderweihnact is the children’s market and offers attractions such as a Ferris wheel, steam train and carousel. There is an emphasis on quality at this market, and the Nuremberg Market Council have banned mass produced goods, taped music and plastic fir garlands. It is the place to come if you want to buy top quality goods in a quaint setting. 

Berlin With over 50 Christmas markets each year, Germany’s capital has the most extensive range of markets to visit. There is at least one market in each of the city’s twelve districts, so you can be sure that there is something for everyone.For an upscale market, you should go to The Gendarmenmarkt–a large Christmas market set in Berlin’s most beautiful square. There is a small entry fee, but you’ll find yourself in a world of live music, colourful market stalls and food stands from Berlin’s top chefs.You should also visit the Scandinavian influenced Lucia 

Christmas Market at the Kulturbrauerei where you can buy unique hand carved wooden goods and try out the heated capes when you feel cold. Berlin’s largest market is in Altstadt Spandau, which has 200 stalls on weekdays and 400 at weekends. The market celebrates Advent every day and the nativity displays are unforgettable.For a unique market, The Berlin Environmental and Christmas Market is the place to go. It showcases environmentally friendly handmade good such as bags, jewellery and household ornaments. Charlottenburg Market is a beautiful place to go in the evening. The market is set around a castle which is lit up by multi-colored lights once it gets dark.To launch yourself into a winter wonderland of ice skating and tobogganing, you should take a stroll to the Winter World at Potsdamer Platz, and for children’s entertainment, Alexanderplatz market is full of rides and a petting zoo.

Munich Bavaria’s Capital plays host to a historical Christkindlmarkt in the famous Marienplatz. The market has been open since the 17th century and Munich’s cathedral provides the beautiful backdrop to this popular market in the heart of the old town. The market is a particularly good place to buy authentic Bavarian handicrafts such as wood carvings from Oberammergau, bees’ wax candles and chimney sweep figures made from almonds and plums.The market’s focal point is a 30-meter Christmas tree lit by 2500 candles and nearby, lives Christmas concerts are played from the town hall’s balcony at 5:30pm daily. Inside the town hall, children can get involved in arts, crafts and Christmas cookie baking.To witness one of the largest Christmas manger markets in Germany, you should go to the Kripperlmarkt, where you can buy Christmas angels, animals, religious figures, lanterns and gifts from the three kings to make up your own unique nativity scene.There are many unusual outdoor performances you can watch, including the Krampuslauf (Krampus Run), where St Nicholas’ trolls run through the market in brightly colored costumes. Also, if you’ve got a sweet tooth, make sure you try the delicious local specialty, Honigkuchen (honey cake).