Do you ever find yourself yearning for a more traditional Christmas? Consider a trip to Germany during the Advent season for a visit to the magical Christmas markets. You will see, smell, and taste the magic of Christmas… just like you did when you were a child.

The scents of Christmas spices fill the air around the wooden market stalls. Indulge in Glühwein (warm mulled wine), Lebkuchen (gingerbread cookies) roasted chestnuts, roasted almonds and bratwurst as you shop the stalls for traditional toys and Christmas decorations including nutcrackers and marionettes.

Visit each market at least twice to experience a completely different atmosphere from day to night. A daytime trip, with less people, makes browsing the stalls a breeze for the serious shopper. But when the sun goes down the families come out. The Christmas lights twinkle as a chill fills the air and you can reach for a warm glass of Glühwein. Your heart will smile as you feel the Christmas magic.

Augsburg Christmas Market

This beautiful "Christkindlesmarkt" is set near the Renaissance town hall. Highlights include horse-drawn coach rides, a giant Advent calendar and an “Angel Play.”

November 26 to December 24, 2004
Monday to Saturday 9:30am–8pm
Sundays 10am–8pm

Bamberg Christmas Market

This quiet Christmas market coincides with the famous Bamberg Krippenweg displays – cribs and nativity scenes in squares, museums and churches all over town.

November 25 to December 23, 2004
Monday to Saturday 8:30am–7pm
Sundays 11am–7pm

Dinkelsbühl Christmas Market

Don’t miss the town’s medieval quarter near this beautiful Romantic Road Christmas market.

November 25 to December 21, 2004
Monday to Friday 2pm–8pm
Saturdays and Sundays 11am–8pm

Heidelberg Christmas Market

This Christmas market is set in Anatomiegarten, Bismarckplatz, Kornmarkt, Marktplatz and Universitätsplatz. Don’t miss Saint Nicholas House for the children.

November 24 to December 22, 2004
Daily 11am–9pm

Ludwigsburg Christmas Market

This Christmas market offers a varied program of events and offers a unique Baroque experience.

November 25 to December 22, 2004
Monday to Saturday 10:30am–8:30pm
Sundays 11am–8:30pm

Munich Christmas Market

The traditional Christmas market on Marienplatz offers free activities for children at the "heaven workshop" including an exam to receive angel wings!

November 26 to December 24, 2004
Monday to Friday 10am–8:30pm (Christmas Eve until 2pm)
Saturdays 9am–8:30pm
Sundays 10am–7:30pm

Nuremberg Christmas Market

The main market square hosts the opening ceremony when the "Christkindl" opens the most famous Christmas market in the world. Don’t miss the children’s lantern procession to Nuremberg Castle.

November 26 to December 24, 2004
Monday to Wednesday 9am–8pm
Thursday to Saturday 9am–9pm (Christmas Eve until 2pm)
Sundays 10:30am–8pm

Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Market

This Romantic Road Christmas market (Reiterlesmarkt) epitomizes the fairytale medieval Christmas. Don’t miss the evening torch-lit walks or the German Christmas Museum.

November 26 to December 22, 2004
Monday to Friday 12:30pm–7pm
Saturdays 10:30am–7:30pm
Sundays 10:30am–7pm

Stuttgart Christmas Market

This Christmas market is one of the oldest in Europe. There is an open-air ice rink in front of the New Castle. Don’t miss the fairyland for children at the Schlossplatz.

November 26 to December 13, 2004
Monday to Friday 10am–8:30pm
Sundays 11am–8:30pm