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market, usually outdoor, associated with the celebration of Christmas
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Travel topics > Cultural attractions > Christmas markets

A Christmas market is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent. These markets originated in Germany, but are now held in many other countries.

Understand

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Christmas market in Erfurt

History

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The history of Christmas markets goes back to the Late Middle Ages in the German-speaking part of Europe and in many parts of the former Holy Roman Empire that include many areas which are now in the east of France and in Switzerland. Dresden's Strietzelmarkt was first held in 1434. The Christmas markets of Bautzen (first held in 1384), Frankfurt (first mentioned in 1393) and Munich (1310) are even older. The Vienna "December market" was a kind of forerunner of the Christmas market and dates back to 1294.

Prepare

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As this is a winter activity in the northern hemisphere, dress warmly. Gloves are recommended when your hands are not around a nice warm mug of mulled wine. Especially for the "big" well-known markets (e.g. those in Dresden, Nürnberg or Strasbourg) be prepared for crowds and try to find a way to get there that doesn't involve inner-city driving, as the usually crowded streets of European inner cities can get unbearable while popular Christmas markets are operating.

Christmas tree decorations. Wooden toys. Hand crafted candles and perhaps some cold-weather clothing. Jams, preserves, chocolate, sweets, baked goods. Some Christmas markets have high quality handcrafted goods made in town or the surrounding areas, whereas others sell cheap knock-off made-in-China kitsch. Sometimes you can get both at the same market or even the same stand. Caveat emptor!

Wurst, beer and Glühwein on sale at the Christmas Market on Breitscheidplatz, Berlin

Christmas markets in Germany generally have booths selling different kinds of Wurst (sausages) and sweets. Typical seasonal sweets are Stollen (especially in Dresden) or Lebkuchen (especially in Nürnberg) a type of sweet gingerbread. Another seasonal specialty sold at Christmas markets are Marroni (sweet chestnuts), the fruits of Castanea sativa that are usually roasted over an open flame. Kartoffelpuffer (Potato pancakes) with apple sauce are also common. Trdelník is a spit cake sold at Christmas markets in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and adjacent areas of neighboring countries.

Drink

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Alcoholic

  • Mulled wine (known as Glühwein, vin chaud, etc.) Warm wine mixed with spices such as cinnamon, star anise, vanilla, and sugar. Even between each stand in a single Christmas market, there are different varieties offered, be it the wine type or the added spices.
  • Feuerzangenbowle: Mulled wine spiked with rum or brandy in a sugar cube, lit on fire and slowly melting into the cup.

Non-alcoholic

  • Hot chocolate
  • Kinderpunsch (children's punch), a non-alcholic version of mulled wine

As the cups are often lavishly decorated and bear some sort of name or memory of the Christmas market, expect to pay a deposit (or "Pfand") of at least €5 in Germany. Often cups can be bought as well.

Merry-go-round at the Christmas Market at Alexanderplatz, Berlin

Temporary ice rinks with skates available for hire are becoming more and more common in Christmas markets throughout Germany. They are often financed by local government or private sponsors and use is usually free of charge, but you may be charged for renting skates. Cities that have these include Dresden, Erlangen and Munich. Some Christmas Markets also have merry-go-rounds or other types of carnival rides.

Stay safe

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As these events are crowded and you tend to be squeezing past and being knocked by other people on a regular basis, Christmas markets tend to be active places for pickpockets.

Remember that mulled wine can be of high alcohol content, and never drink and drive. Many places have increased police stop and check actions during this period.


In cold weather the ground can get slippery, which is exacerbated by Christmas Markets often being held in historic neighborhoods that have a lot of cobblestones, so be careful if you aren't accustomed to that.

Cities known for Christmas markets

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Map
Map of Christmas markets

With very few exceptions all Christmas markets in major cities are open until the morning hours of December 24. The first day they open is usually on the last November weekend or one of the first days in December. In some small towns, the Christmas market may only be open on specific weekends in November or December.

Europe

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Austria

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One of multiple Christmas Markets in Vienna: Kerstmarkt

Belgium

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Czech Republic

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Estonia

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Tallinn's Christmas market
  • 3 Tallinn Christmas market. The medieval city hall square (Raekoja plats) of Tallinn is almost tailor-made for a Christmas market and with some decorations, some snow, and a little darkness (days are short at these latitudes in the winter) the Hanseatic houses look almost like from a fairytale. You can find great Estonian handicrafts for Christmas decorations and gifts, and have a mug of traditional hot Glühwein with some Vana Tallinn liqueur. There is also an outdoor scene with different Christmas-themed events, Santa with his reindeers and a large Christmas tree in the middle of the square. Mid-November to early January. Tallinn (Q1770) on Wikidata Tallinn on Wikipedia 

Finland

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France

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Germany

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A majority of Christmas markets open for about four weeks, starting from the first days before the first Advent up to the 23rd or 24th of December.

A few others are already open before then, but closes for one day on the last Sunday before Advent for Totensonntag (All Souls' Day in the German Evangelical Protestant Church). In the biggest cities, some markets still open beyond Christmas until the first week of January.

  • Munich Christkindlmarkt auf dem Marienplatz: Munich. Big & commercial market, it stretches across the shopping street, so you can mix Christmas market shopping (and eating) with "normal" shopping. If you walk south towards Sendlinger Tor, you'll reach more traditional woodcarvers' stands. Late November to Christmas Eve. (date needs fixing)
  • Munich Weihnachtsmarkt Chinaturm: Munich. Late November to 23 Dec. (date needs fixing)
  • Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt : Nuremberg. A good selection of craft stalls as well as plenty of opportunities to savour the Nürnberger Bratwürste and purchase Lebkuchen. Late November to Christmas Eve. (date needs fixing)
  • Frankfurt Weinachtsmarkt: Frankfurt. crammed into the Römerplatz and adjacent Paulsplatz. Usual market fair plus strangely cheaply made tin toys. Food speciality the Bethmännchen (German for "a little Bethmann") is a pastry made from marzipan with almond. Late November to 22 Dec. (date needs fixing)
  • Rüdesheim Christmas Market of Nations: Rüdesheim. very popular with foreign tourists, particularly the British, ironically specialising in foreign gifts. Late November to 23 Dec. (date needs fixing)
  • Esslingen Christmas market: Esslingen. Consists of two markets, one traditional German Weihnachtsmarkt the other a medieval style stalls selling wares and food. Late November to 22 Dec. (date needs fixing)
  • Dresden Striezelmarkt: Dresden. The Christmas Market is the Striezelmarkt on Altmarkt square, dating back to 1434. Plenty of traditional wood carving, but also commercial stuff. Late November to 24 Dec. (date needs fixing)
  • Dresden Stallhof: Dresden. A romantic alternative is a strict medieval (no plastics, no electric lights, no loudspeakers booming Laaast Christmas....) Christmas market in the Stallhof, courtyard of the former royal palace. Late November to 23 Dec. It is followed by the medieval "Dresdner Rauhnächte" which is more commercial in nature from the 27th - 6 January. (date needs fixing)

Hungary

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Ireland

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Italy

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  • Bolzano. Bolzano is known as the Italian Capital of Christmas thanks to its characteristic Christmas market, the 'Christkindlmarkt'. There is also another Christmas market, the 'Winterwald'. 
  • Milan. Although the winter weather of Milan isn't the best, for Christmas the city lights up with illuminations, a huge Christmas tree and vendors and markets everywhere. 
  • Verona. Christmas markets.

Latvia

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Spain

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Sweden

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  • Gothenburg
  • Gävle, where the main draw is a giant Yule Goat at Slottstorget, inaugurated at the first Sunday of Advent, notorious for often having been burnt down by arsonists.

Romania

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Russia

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As Russia celebrates Christmas according to the Julian calendar, the Russian Christmas falls on 6 January in the Gregorian Calendar used by most Western countries. As such, Russian Christmas markets generally stay open into January.

United Kingdom

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North America

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Some North American cities also have seasonal markets for the Christmas season.

Canada

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Mexico

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  • Tlalpujahua - small town in Michoacan is famous for its glass Christmas ornaments. The town's annual Christmas markets run from October through Christmas and draw tens of thousands of visitors.

United States

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See also

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This travel topic about Christmas markets is a usable article. It touches on all the major areas of the topic. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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