Christmas Markets in Germany

I know this is after Christmas, but guess what? I've been busy. So get ready for some post-Christmas joy!

I recently mentioned the tradition of Christmas markets. Well, if you didn't know, Germany has quite the reputation for having the best Christmas markets around. As it turns out, the rumor seems to be true. Take a look - the pictures speak for themselves!

First of all, even the market in the airport is bigger than Narbonne's Christmas market.

Christkindlmarkt in Marienplatz - You can see the Christmas tree with the New Town Hall (and famous Glockenspiel) in the background.

more Glockenspiel

These are wooden decorations that move due to candle power! (The candles send up hot air, which turns the fan at the top, which turns the figures in the middle around (like a glockenspiel).)

more Marienplatz Christmas tree

I think the white figurines look like Princess Leia with baguettes. :)

Christmas Lebuchenherzen

Note the pretty star lamps... they'll be back.

lights, tree, Glockenspiel

There is a famous German stuffed animal company that decorates (and animates) this window each year with their stuffed animals.

dinner from a booth - flammekueche from Alsace - delicious!

entering the courtyard within the Glockenspiel

same courtyard, where we went to get glühwein!

Glühwein, literally "glowing wine," is German mulled wine.

Glühwein under the Glockenspiel!

a dragon on the New Town Hall... which I've never noticed before

In southern Germany, the markets are called Christkindlmarkts (Christ child* markets), while in northern Germany they're called Weihnachtsmarkts (Christmas markets).

Now onto a small medieval Christmas market, also in Munich!

If you look closely, you can see that the bartender in the right booth is dressed in medieval garb.

Just in case you're in the market for a medieval sword...

... and now for the Tollwood alternative Christmas market!

Nothing says "alternative Christmas market" like a grape-shaped collection of disco balls!

half-meter sausage - We didn't stop at this particular booth.

chocolate kebabs - They shave the chocolate off a giant spit, just like they do with meat for regular kebabs.

See the giraffes?

random lit-up stilt people

You can get food from all over the world at the market, but our choice was Greek (gyros)!

Gongs?

I am a little obsessed with these stars, which I've see all over the place in Germany since I got here. I bought one, and so did Irene and Nici!

French Aaron, c'est pour toi!

Leaving the Tollwood (I think the grape disco balls and the Church of St. Paul in the background make an interesting combination.)

Basically, if you ever want to feel like a kid in a candy store, you should go to a German Christmas market. The tradition of the Christmas market has spread all over Europe (and the world), but they originated in the German-speaking part of Europe during the middle ages. You can (obviously) find everything from food, drink, and candy to toys, clothes, and decorations! I was lucky enough to hit these three Christmas markets in my first two days in Germany... if that's not enough to make you feel Christmasy, I don't know what is!

*In parts of Germany (including southern Germany), it's not Santa Claus who brings presents, but the Christkind, or Christ child.