EXPLORING GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Christmas time is here. Happiness and cheer. My dear readers, there is no doubt and no denying that It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Every radio station is blasting at least one Christmas song per hour, houses are loaded with Christmas decorations, and the candy isles in the supermarkets offer various delicious Christmas treats for our indulgence.
I am a big fan of this season and everything that comes with it, especially the Christmas markets. And this year, I finally have the opportunity again to travel to Germany during this wonderful time to indulge in lots of mulled wine and crepes with Kinderschokolade (yum). Needless to say, during this time my healthy eating and fitness are not my main priority, but I do believe in balance and that treating yourself here and there is a necessity.
It’s been a hot minute since I stepped foot onto a German Christmas market, around four years, to be exact (oh my!). Trust me, if you have ever been, you can relate about how big of a deal that might be. For this year’s trip, I have already mapped out three opportunities to stop by for the occasional mulled wine or sweet treat.
I will be starting off my quest of soaking in as much Christmas market time as I can get with a trip to Duisburg the day after I arrive in Germany. While this might not be one of the more popular ones, it is conveniently located close to where one of my dear friends lives, and a good warm up to the bigger markets.
Second on my list is Düsseldorf, a market that is spread out around all of the downtown and old town area. Well, if I have to be politically correct, the Düsseldorfer Christmas market is actually several markets in one and includes different sections, such as the Engelchen Markt around the old town area. The various booths around the different areas offer everything the heart desires: from self-made arts and crafts to traditional eats such as Bratwurst.
The third and last Christmas market adventure I will be undertaking is going to take place in Cologne. I have experienced this one as one of the busiest yet and wouldn’t recommend visiting it on a weekend as the crowds are massive. It is definitely worthwhile visiting though as it is located central to the Cologne Cathedral and surrounded by massive Christmas trees.
I yet have to visit the famous Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt, which is supposedly the most beautiful one in Germany, and I am looking forward to seeing it myself one day. But for now, this has to rest on my bucket list for just a little longer. In case you haven’t had the chance to visit an original German Christmas market yet and get to know the history behind it, I have attached a video below that lets you receive a little glimpse into what this festivity is all about.
I hope you all are simply having a wonderful Christmas time!
Credits: Images – Pixabay.com/ Video – ©Arienne Parzei
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Anne-Kathrin Schulte is a contributor for CaliforniaGermans.com. She writes about her personal experience of the American Dream as well as about working as an au pair in CA. She was born and grew up in Düsseldorf, Germany, where she completed her degree as a state-approved Kindergarten teacher. After her au pair engagement in the US and a quick return to Germany, she decided to attend university in California and moved back to the United States. She has been living in Southern California since 2011.
If you would like to contact Anne-Kathrin, please send an email to californiagermans(at)gmail.com and place her name in the subject line.
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