Advent, Advent
10 very special Christmas markets that warm our hearts
Magical: The Christmas market in the Ravenna Gorge in the Black Forest
© Hochschwarzwald Tourismus GmbH
A homely atmosphere, Christmas aromas and one or two mulled wines: Christmas markets sweeten the dark December. These ten are very special.
These are the 10 most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany
1. Lake Constance: Lindau Harbor Christmas © JM Soedher
Lake Constance is at its most beautiful in summer when you can go swimming or pedal boating. The second most beautiful time is in December, when Lindau celebrates “Harbour Christmas”. Cozy stalls line the quay wall around the medieval Mang Tower. And from the other side of the lake, the snow-covered mountain panorama is calling. Pretty romantic!
2. Black Forest: Christmas market in the Ravenna Gorge Magical: The Christmas market in the Ravenna Gorge in the Black Forest © Hochschwarzwald Tourismus GmbH
A Christmas market in the midst of white-dusted fir trees: In the Ravenna Gorge in the Black Forest, under the arches of the Höllentalbahn viaduct, visitors can enjoy their mulled wine between dark slopes. The guided torchlight hike from Hinterzarten to the gorge is particularly atmospheric when there is snow.
3. Taunus: Christmas market at the Schlosshotel Kronberg © Nicola Maxeiner
The Christmas market at the Schlosshotel Kronberg gets visitors in a festive mood for the first time this year on all four Advent weekends. The castle park with its old trees and picturesque paths offers the perfect backdrop for the handpicked exhibitors, including exclusive manufacturers and handicraft businesses.
4. Saxony: Annaberg Christmas market © Christian Dageförde
In the Ore Mountains, the Annaberg Christmas market opens its doors on November 24th. The large Christmas pyramid, the tree and the decorated stalls are not everything here – concerts are also played and on the fourth Sunday of Advent the Great Mine Parade of the Saxon miners’ associations takes place with over 900 uniformed and 375 miners. The latter gather for the finale in front of St. Anne’s Church for the Christmas concert.
5. Franconia: Summer houses Christmas market © Anke Hartenstein Stryjski, Franconian Wine Country
There is a particularly beautiful Advent highlight in Franconia: the Christmas market in the medieval wine-growing town of Sommerhausen, with its half-timbered houses and alleyways, does not have any stalls. On four weekends, visitors are allowed into the courtyards, houses, vaulted cellars, studios and galleries where artists and craftspeople offer their goods.
6. Baden-Württemberg: Old German Christmas market in Bad Wimpfen © Eberhard / Adobe Stock
The first was held in 1487, making the Old German Christmas Market in medieval Bad Wimpfen one of the oldest in Germany. Above all, it celebrates the children: Christkind and Nikolaus distribute small gifts and the children’s carousels make merry rounds.
7. North Rhine-Westphalia: Christmas market at Schloss Grünewald © Jörg Lange
Crackling fires, torches, candlelight: the Christmas market at Schloss Grünewald near Wuppertal is quite romantic. Every Advent weekend, over 100 artists, craftsmen and designers are on site to demonstrate their craft and offer unique items.
8. Harz: Christmas market and “Advent in the courtyards” in Quedlinburg © Andrea Fleischmann, Tourismus-Marketing GmbH
No wonder that the Christmas market in the Unesco World Heritage town of Quedlinburg has twice been voted the most beautiful in Saxony-Anhalt: the backdrop of centuries-old half-timbered houses is simply enchanting. The “Advent in the courtyards” also takes place on the first three Advent weekends. Then the inner courtyards of the old town open, where guests can buy rarities and other small treasures on the historical pavement.
9. Lower Saxony: Goslar Christmas forest and Rammelsberger Christmas shift © Stefan Schiefer, Gloslar Marketing GmbH
Every year in Advent, a fairytale Christmas forest shines in the historic old town of Goslar: Amidst 60 festively lit fir trees, you can stroll over the fragrant forest floor. On the third day of Advent, the nearby “Christmas Rammelsberg” opens its gates. The Christmas market stretches from the underground area of the former ore mine to the open-air museum.
10. Schleswig-Holstein: Lübeck Christmas markets © Olaf Mahlzahn, Lübeck and Travemünde Marketing
Magnificent churches, decorated streets and squares, small alleys and arts and crafts markets: In the marzipan city there are eleven Christmas markets – from the classic stall magic to the fairytale forest and harbor glow to various crafts markets.