“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” was already sung by Bing Crosby and described exactly the pre-Christmas time we are in.
Everywhere decorated streets and windows, in the evening a big sea of lights and in the cities a smell of roasted almonds and mulled wine. The first Christmas markets have opened. Reason enough for Vienna House to continue its journey to some of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the country. Join us on this Christmas tour and perhaps plan a short trip over an Advent weekend.
1.Munich
At Christmas time Munich is full of Christmas markets. The best known, including the Christkindelmarkt on Marienplatz, which is open until 24 December, are in the old town. But even outside the city centre there are many loving markets in every part of the city. The most beautiful crib figures can be found at the crib market in Neuhauser Straße. In addition to countless cribs and figures, you can admire the Oberammergauer large crib and oriental nativity scenes. On the Theresienwiese there is also a lot going on in winter. The “Wintertollwood” is no classical Christmas market, the large winter bazaar is however from 26 November to 31 December firm component of the Munich pre-Christmas time.
STAY | Vienna House Easy München
2. Stuttgart
The Christmas market in Stuttgart has a wonderful festive atmosphere. More than 300 traders line the way with elaborately and lovingly decorated stands from the Neues Schloss to the Königsbau, Karlsplatz, Schillerplatz and Marktplatz. From 27 November to 23 December you can enjoy the contemplative pre-Christmas season under one of the largest Christmas trees in the country.
STAY | Vienna House Easy Mo. Stuttgart
3. Rostock
The Christmas Market in Rostock opens until 22 December and is the largest in the north. In the historical centre of the city there are countless stands from the town hall market through the Kröpeliner- and the Lange Straße up to the Kröpeliner Tor. From Rostocker Rauchwurst and lard pastries over Swedish glögg there is an international gourmet mile. The craftsmen’s corner at the Uniplatz shows great works of handicraft and leads to the monastery garden, where the medieval market lets you travel back in time in a dignified atmosphere. At the Fischerbastion the big Christmas hype offers action, while in the Christmas village at the Brink until 5 January 2020 with a large variation of hot drinks the Christmas season can be toasted.
STAY | Hotel die kleine Sonne
4. Osnabrück
From 25 November to 22 December, the city centre of Osnabrück is transformed into a Christmas village of buddies. Against the historical backdrop of St. Mary’s Church, cathedral and town hall, Christmas delicacies can be enjoyed and regional arts and crafts admired. The largest music box in the world, a nutcracker over six metres tall and the traditional carousel over 100 years old attract many visitors. Until 29.12. ice-skating enthusiasts can enjoy the roofed ice rink at the Ledenhof at their own expense.
STAY | Vienna House Easy Osnabrück
5. Leipzig
The history of the Christmas Market in Leipzig goes back to the 15th century. This makes it the second oldest Christmas market in Germany. No wonder that a walk along the Christmas stands has a very special Christmas charm. This is supported by highlights such as the organ music and performances of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio in the churches of Leipzig as well as the tower trumpet performances on the tower of the Old Town Hall. The traditional Christmas atmosphere will continue here until 23 December 2019.
STAY | Vienna House Easy Limburg | Vienna Townhouse Bach Leipzig
6. Dresden
Dresden describes itself as a Christmas city. And rightly so. The Striezelmarkt, which attracts millions of visitors every year, has been held since 1434 and is thus the oldest Christmas market in Germany.
The tradition of the Striezel – the Dresden Christmas Stollen – is internationally known. On the 2nd of Advent, after a procession, a giant stollen is cut at the big Stollen Festival.
Christmassy atmosphere conjure up countless works of art from the Erzgebirge until 24 December – pyramids, candle arches and smoking men in their most beautiful form. No wonder that beside the huge candle arch at the entrance you can also find the largest Erzgebirge pyramid in the world at the Dresden Striezelmarkt.
STAY | Vienna House QF Dresden