Expat in Germany

Going to a German Christmas Market is high on most tourists lists when they are in Germany in December, and many tourists come to Germany just for the Christmas Markets. Before you go, read these 5 tips to make the most out of the wonderful experience of a German Christmas Market.
(Photo above of the Bonn Christmas Market courtesy of Stadt Bonn)

Ludwigsburg Christmas Market at Night

Tip 1 For Going to a German Christmas Market: Go at Night
While German Christmas Markets are open during the day, they really are most beautiful at night with all of the sparkling lights dancing about which really enhances the already festive atmosphere.

You can find Kartoffel Puffer - Fried Mashed Potatos at German Christmas Markets which will keep you full for hours!

Tip 2 For Going to a German Christmas Market: Go Thirsty and Go Hungry
One of my favorite things about German Christmas markets are the food and mulled wine. It appears I'm not alone in this judging by the crowds hanging out by the food and wine stalls. German Christmas Markets are where special types of food are offered, many of which aren't offered at any other type of year. Gingerbread and homemade truffles will tempt you around every corner. It was at a German Christmas Market that I had my first Kartoffelpuffer, which is basically fried mashed potatos and is quite tasty but rather filling so I would recommend sharing it. And of course the mulled wine, which I've noticed has become quite a debate among my friends as to which German Christmas Market has the best one - as far as I can tell the Ludwigsburg Christmas Market appears to be unofficially in the lead.

Esslingen Christmas Market (Photo courtesy of Weihnactsmarkt-Deustchland)

Tip 3 For Going to a German Christmas Market: Go to More Than One
Each Christmas Market in Germany is different reflecting local traditions. The Ludwigsburg Christmas Market is celebrated for its ambiance, while the Stuttgart Christmas Market is celebrated for its size (one of the largest in Germany) and is known for its Black Forest Fruit Bread (not really to my liking, but it is popular). The Esslingen Christmas Market has a middle-aged theme. I would also recommend going to the smaller Christmas markets in addition to the bigger ones since they also have a different look and feel. See Christmas Markets in Germany for a listing of forty German Christmas Markets. If the city you are in isn't listed, check out the city's local site since they may still have a Christmas Market that hasn't been listed as is the case with the Calw Christmas Market, a small German Christmas Market, but one that has the most delicious cheese I ever tasted. We bought a huge chunk thinking it would last us two weeks, it only lasted three days and that was with restraint and there are only two of us.

German Christmas Market photo courtesy of: Himmelstadlter Weihnactserlebnisse

Tip 4 For Going to a German Christmas Market: Go With Friends/Family
The German Christmas Markets become a place to hang out with friends and family and people meet here instead of heading to a restaurant or bar. The German Christmas Markets have an ambiance you only find once a year so why not enjoy it and take it in with friends? Note: dress warm because you may get cold if you're going to be there for a couple of hours.

Puppet Show at Haidhausen Christmas Market (photo courtesty of Wendy)

Tip 5 For Going to a German Christmas Market: Check the Schedule in Advance
German Christmas Markets often have entertainment - think choirs, Christmas plays, puppet shows, and German traditions, to name a few of the things you might get lucky enough to see. At the Calw Christmas Market we got to see the Traditional Bread Cutting Ceremony, where a very long (at least 5 meters) piece of bread was carried through the Christmas Market and then served to guests. I don't what tradition this represented and neither did J.P. but it was fun to watch and by checking the programming schedule ahead of time, you can increase your chances of seeing something really interesting. (See Christmas Markets in Germany for a listing of forty Christmas Markets in Germany with links to each of their programming schedules).

What tips do you have for going to a German Christmas Market?

More on German Christmas Markets:

German Christmas Markets for Children

The Stuttgart Christmas Market

5 Tips for Going to a German Christmas Market

German Christmas Markets: Ludwigsburg Christmas Market

What Does Hiking in Germany Have in Common With German Christmas Markets?