Best Christmas Markets?
Nov 3rd, 2005, 09:07 AM
#21
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Yes, the Striezelmarkt in Dresden is worth a visit - although it can be crowded at certain times. Don't miss the "Striezelmarkt"-music every weekday at 5 pm in the neighbouring Kreuzkirche. And of course a visit of the Frauenkirche is a must. Very charming at Christmas time is also the Saxon Folk Art Museum, where all sorts of regional Christmas items are on display and craftsmen show their skills.
In the Erzgebirge I like the Christmas Markets of Freiberg, Annaberg-Buchholz and Schneeberg most. Especially Freiberg is great - not crowded, very authentic, the ambience at the beautiful old main square is unique.
In the Erzgebirge I like the Christmas Markets of Freiberg, Annaberg-Buchholz and Schneeberg most. Especially Freiberg is great - not crowded, very authentic, the ambience at the beautiful old main square is unique.
Nov 3rd, 2005, 10:23 AM
#22
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(I apologize if this post seems long-winded and gassy.)
I haven't been to all of Germany's Christmas Markets (none in Northern Germany), but I have been to many of the markets in Bavaria. I've also been to the markets in Cologne, Stuttgart, Heidelberg, Frankfurt, Salzburg, Vienna, and Brussels. I would love to visit the markets in Lubeck, Berlin, and Dresden someday.
I would have to say my favorite is Munich. Munich has several large markets: the traditional market at Marienplatz and a huge, funky market at Theresienwiese -- where the big Oktoberfest beer tents are filled with booths. (More like a flea market than a Christmas market in my opinion.) The whole city smells of hot wine, fried foods, and roasted chestnuts.
Nuremberg has the granddaddy of the markets. The Aldstadt seems perfectly laid out for this occasion. This is a great market for baked goods and handcrafted toys. If you like those little figures made out of prunes, this is the place to get them.
I also like Frankfurt's market a lot. It is not as schmaltzy as the ones in Bavaria, but it is shopper’s nirvana.
Vienna has a large, picturesque market, as was mentioned, and several markets scattered through the city. I can still smell the garlic on my hands from that fried dough they sell (langos?). It seems to be more family oriented, as there seemed to be small kids all over the place. I kind of remember drinking some sort of wild berry punch that knocked my knees right out from under me.
If you are claustrophobic, you might want to avoid the larger markets as they become jam packed with people. The gluhwien stalls are generally clogged up and there can be huge lines to get a even a small stack of potato pancakes. The trains leaving the bigger markets can be full of loud, drunk revelers.
Try to schedule in a concert while you're there. I attended a performance of Bach's Christmas Oratorio one year and it was magical.
I'm sorry BTilke, but Brussels was my least favorite market. But it isn't really fair to compare Brussels’ markets with the major German Markets. (I did enjoy my bucket of mussels)
I haven't been to all of Germany's Christmas Markets (none in Northern Germany), but I have been to many of the markets in Bavaria. I've also been to the markets in Cologne, Stuttgart, Heidelberg, Frankfurt, Salzburg, Vienna, and Brussels. I would love to visit the markets in Lubeck, Berlin, and Dresden someday.
I would have to say my favorite is Munich. Munich has several large markets: the traditional market at Marienplatz and a huge, funky market at Theresienwiese -- where the big Oktoberfest beer tents are filled with booths. (More like a flea market than a Christmas market in my opinion.) The whole city smells of hot wine, fried foods, and roasted chestnuts.
Nuremberg has the granddaddy of the markets. The Aldstadt seems perfectly laid out for this occasion. This is a great market for baked goods and handcrafted toys. If you like those little figures made out of prunes, this is the place to get them.
I also like Frankfurt's market a lot. It is not as schmaltzy as the ones in Bavaria, but it is shopper’s nirvana.
Vienna has a large, picturesque market, as was mentioned, and several markets scattered through the city. I can still smell the garlic on my hands from that fried dough they sell (langos?). It seems to be more family oriented, as there seemed to be small kids all over the place. I kind of remember drinking some sort of wild berry punch that knocked my knees right out from under me.
If you are claustrophobic, you might want to avoid the larger markets as they become jam packed with people. The gluhwien stalls are generally clogged up and there can be huge lines to get a even a small stack of potato pancakes. The trains leaving the bigger markets can be full of loud, drunk revelers.
Try to schedule in a concert while you're there. I attended a performance of Bach's Christmas Oratorio one year and it was magical.
I'm sorry BTilke, but Brussels was my least favorite market. But it isn't really fair to compare Brussels’ markets with the major German Markets. (I did enjoy my bucket of mussels)
Nov 3rd, 2005, 11:56 AM
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I disagree with the opinion that there are no good Christkindlmarkts in the U.S. The Christmas Market in Bethlehem, PA is the closest thing I've seen to a real German Market. Bethlehem itself features 18th Century German/Czech buildings downtown. The Market takes place amid a profusion of traditional Christmas decorations (none of the inflatable garbage we see elsewhere) and beeswax candles. There is German food and music and wooden crafts. There's even a Kathe Wohlfahrt stand.
Nov 3rd, 2005, 11:58 AM
#25
They have them in Switzerland too but I don't believe they are considered "exceptional". See www.montreux.ch for example.
Nov 3rd, 2005, 01:01 PM
#26
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I don't care for the Brussels market that much myself now that it's spread out all over. Nor would it ever make my list of top Christmas markets, but that doesn't mean it's soulless or overly commercial. Also, it's usually drizzling, raining or sleeting during Christmas market season there and it's hard for any market to shine under those conditions.
Ditto to the Zeus and the description of the Bethlehem Christmas shopping. Actually, Main Street in historic Bethlehem is a wonderful place to visit during Christmas, esp. if you take in some of the cultural activities like seeing the putz and walking through God's Acre (particularly relevant during this talk of avian flu...there is a whole row of children who died in 1918, most probably from that avian influenza outbreak). I was active in Christmas activities of one of the area Moravian churches--"dressing" the beeswax candles, diening during the lovefeasts and Christmas eve services, and as a kid, singing the Morning Star and Sleep Baby Jesus solos.
We were in the rural part of Westphalia over our vacation in Sept/October and the similarities to that part of Pennsylvania were striking. We are going to try and get back there again in December. Would like to go back to the Christmas market in Muenster and also Detmold.
Ditto to the Zeus and the description of the Bethlehem Christmas shopping. Actually, Main Street in historic Bethlehem is a wonderful place to visit during Christmas, esp. if you take in some of the cultural activities like seeing the putz and walking through God's Acre (particularly relevant during this talk of avian flu...there is a whole row of children who died in 1918, most probably from that avian influenza outbreak). I was active in Christmas activities of one of the area Moravian churches--"dressing" the beeswax candles, diening during the lovefeasts and Christmas eve services, and as a kid, singing the Morning Star and Sleep Baby Jesus solos.
We were in the rural part of Westphalia over our vacation in Sept/October and the similarities to that part of Pennsylvania were striking. We are going to try and get back there again in December. Would like to go back to the Christmas market in Muenster and also Detmold.
Jul 18th, 2006, 07:06 PM
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Hello,
I am interested also much in weihnachtsmärkte, I could for hours on Internet sides over weihnachtsmärkte to read.
I will on my Internet side one would list from all wine eight-markets in Germany to provide.
I hope to get you to it there good tipps can.
those would list finds it under www.happy-presents.de
Greeting smu
I am interested also much in weihnachtsmärkte, I could for hours on Internet sides over weihnachtsmärkte to read.
I will on my Internet side one would list from all wine eight-markets in Germany to provide.
I hope to get you to it there good tipps can.
those would list finds it under www.happy-presents.de
Greeting smu
Jul 25th, 2006, 10:45 AM
#29
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Are these markets similar to Provence where it's the same goods at various locations? I found in Provence that a lot of the same vendors who were at St Remy for instance would be in Arles, Aix, etc.?? I'm just wondering if it's one of those situations where if you've seen one Christmas market, you've seen them all? Hopefully not since I'm planning to go at Christmas next year!
Jul 25th, 2006, 04:53 PM
#30
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You'll find a lot of the same stuff at many of the markets. But many also have local items or specialties. And there are often unique local activities associated with the Christmas Market; e.g., Bamberg's nativity scenes.
Jul 25th, 2006, 05:50 PM
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We visited quite a few Christmas markets while living in Germany, but prefer the one in Trier. It's not a small town, but not a huge one with everything crammed into one area, either. Rothenburg is a great walled city. Anything there is worth going to!
Jul 25th, 2006, 06:01 PM
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I really love the market in Munich, it was huge. Salzburg had a very nice one as well.
The market in Berlin charged 2 Euros to get in, but they had a Traders Vic stand and i was able to get a Mai Tai and sit and watch all the action go by.
My only purchase at these markets was a Elmer Fudd hat (a sherling hat with ear flaps). I wore it all winter in NYC and I think i started a trend!
The market in Berlin charged 2 Euros to get in, but they had a Traders Vic stand and i was able to get a Mai Tai and sit and watch all the action go by.
My only purchase at these markets was a Elmer Fudd hat (a sherling hat with ear flaps). I wore it all winter in NYC and I think i started a trend!
Oct 2nd, 2006, 07:05 AM
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Chicago will have its 11th annual German Christmas market in 2006. Most of the vendors are from Germany, including Kathe Wohlfahrt. Check out www.christkindlmarket.com.
Two years ago, inspired by how much fun the Chicago market is, we went to Nuremberg, Munich and Rothenburg. The Nuremberg and Munich markets were fabulous, but we were a little disappointed with the one in Rothenburg. We're going to Germany and Austria this year for Christmas markets, and definitely go the Chicago market many times!
Two years ago, inspired by how much fun the Chicago market is, we went to Nuremberg, Munich and Rothenburg. The Nuremberg and Munich markets were fabulous, but we were a little disappointed with the one in Rothenburg. We're going to Germany and Austria this year for Christmas markets, and definitely go the Chicago market many times!
