Visiting Christmas markets in Europe is definitely on my bucket list! In fact, I went to Portugal in December 2021 and was able to visit a Christmas market there. But that experience wasn’t enough to cross it off my list. What I really want to experience are the markets in Germany and Austria!
Christmas markets originated in Germany in Middle Ages. Some of today’s markets in Germany have historical evidence of their existence as far back as the 1400s. Historians aren’t sure if these were truly intended to be a celebration of the Christmas season. Markets were held on all religious holidays when people living in rural areas would come into towns to go to church. The largest of these was the winter market. Eventually that became the Christmas market that we think of today!
Today Christmas markets are in public squares. They feature sparkling lights and decorations. Rows of little booths have vendors selling Christmas decorations and handicrafts and other things for your gift-giving needs. Probably the best part of the market is the food! You can feast on candied almonds, gingerbread, sausage, pretzels, dumplings, potato pancakes and so much more! Then you can wander through the booths sipping on hot mulled wine or hot chocolate. Many markets feature a Nativity scene, ice skating rinks, carnival rides, and other fun activities.
Christmas Markets in Germany
Germany is THE place to visit Christmas markets. About 3,000 markets occur throughout the country – just about every city has one. But the following are a few that make me want to book a plane ticket and spend the holidays in Germany!
Munich Christmas Market at Marienplatz
The Munich Christmas Market at Marienplatz is in Marienplatz Square from late November through December 24. The setting is in front of the Munich New Town Hall featuring the wonderful Rathaus-Glockenspiel animatronic clock.
The market features many German Christmas traditions such as Karmpuslauf (Krampus Run) where people dressed as half-goat, half-demons run through the market. They are acting as Santa’s evil twin Krampus who punishes bad children. There are live traditional Bavarian musicians playing from the Town Hall balcony. You can also gather for songs underneath large Christmas tree with 2,500+ lights.
More than 100 stalls sell Christmas decorations, wood products, handicrafts, gifts, mulled wine, mead, grilled sausages, roasted chestnuts, Christmas sweetmeats, and more. You can also get treats on the Christkindle-Tram, a jolly decked out trolley car that will take you on a half hour tour of the old city. If you have children in tow, they will love doing crafts and playing games at the Himmelswerkstatt (Heavenly Workshop). They can make Christmas cards, ornaments, and new friends!
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is in Main Market Square with The Church of Our Lady towering in the background. It runs from late November through December 24. One of the things that sets the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt apart is that everything sold there must be traditional. You won’t find any modern trinkets and made in China labels here!
In Nuremberg, the Christkind takes the place of Santa and brings gifts to good children. Over the years, the Christkind has taken on the image of a angel. A young woman serves as the Christkind for the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt each year. She opens the market each year on Friday before Advent Sunday.
The market stalls sell an abundance of arts, crafts, and decorations. One more unusual offering are Zwetschgenmännle, 3-9″ figurines made from walnuts, dried prunes, and figs. Having these strange figurines is said to bring you money and happiness, so you may want to purchase one! You can also buy a Nuremberg Raushgoldengel, a paper angel with brass foil wings. And wooden Christmas ornaments, nutcrackers, and pyramids are available in abundance.
As far as food goes, Nuremberg Bratwurst should not be missed. The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt also features regional dishes such as specialty mulled wines, teas, schapps, brandies, pralines, smoked pork, and sausages. Nuremberg Lebkuchen is also a must-try. It’s a gingerbread made without flour and covered with chocolate, sugar or almonds. Wash it down with a cup of glühwein, a blueberry mulled wine, served in a collectable ceramic mug. Don’t worry if you don’t drink alcohol – there’s an alcohol-free option as well!
Nuremberg has 13 sister cities and other communities who sponsor a booth at the Sister Cities Market. So you can experience Christmas around the world and take home souvenirs from cities in Greece, Poland, France, China, Macedonia, Sri Lanka, and more! Proceeds from this market benefit charities in the various cities.
Füssen Christmas Market
One must-visit place in Germany is Neuschwanstein Castle. This is THE castle you think of when you think of castles! Neuschwanstein is the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s Castle in Disneyland as well as for Cinderella’s castle in the 1950s animated movie.
Füssen is the closest town to Neuschwanstein Castle and worthy of a stopover. While you are there, you should definitely seek out the Füssen Christmas Market. This Christmas market is smaller and more intimate than others we’ve explored here. Held in the courtyard of St. Mang Monastery, this Christmas market is a great example of the markets scattered through small towns all over Bavaria. The Füssen Christmas Market is only offered the second and third of Advent, typically the first two weeks in December on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Christmas Markets in Austria
Now that we have a taste of what Germany has to offer, it’s time to cross the border into Austria. After all, they are SO CLOSE! Might as well visit another country while we are there!
Salzburg Christkindlmarkt
Surrounded by breathtaking Alpine views, the Salzburg Christkindlemarkt is located in Dom Square. It is the oldest in the city, dating back to the 15th century. Packed with over 100 stalls, this market is open from mid-November until January 1 each year.
The food at Salzburg Christkindlmarkt is delicious. One must-try dish is a bowl of Kaiserschmarrn, a chopped up caramelized pancake topped with powered sugar and plum sauce. If you prefer a more savory dish, a bowl of Gulaschsuppe (goulash soup) will warm you up! Pair it with a Semmel roll, a Bavarian bread, to get your starch fix. Huge pretzels are also available in abundance, both sweet and savory versions. You can also try Kasekrainer which is a cheese-filled sausage.
To drink there’s always hot chocolate and Glühwein made with mulled red or white wine. If want a bit more punch, try Orangenpunsch. This is a a blend of tea, rum, orange juice, sugar, and spices served warm. When you order your first drink, you pay a deposit of a few Euros for a souvenir mug. If you return the mug, you will get your money back. Otherwise you have a nice inexpensive souvenir!
Expect to find all of the traditional Christmas market wares at Salzburg Christkindlmarkt. You can purchase decorations, gifts, pewter crafts, incense, advent wreaths, and even winter necessities such as slippers and Loden coats. One unique offering are the intricately painted egg shell ornaments.
There’s no shortage of events to keep you entertained at Salzburg Christkindlmarkt. Most days of the week feature some sort of activity. Music fills the air most evenings with sing-alongs and live traditional wind instrument concerts. The Salzburg Christkind also visits each week surrounded by a host of angels. The Christkind is depicted by a cherubic young person with curly blond hair and angel’s wings accompanied by others dressed in white and gold robes and feathered wings. This same Christkind also hosts a children’s reading event once a week.
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Vienna Christmas Market at Schðnbrunn Palace
Vienna is home to over 20 Christmas markets, but many visitors may only want to visit one. Usually this would be the biggest and most popular, Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz. Often called the Christmas Dream market, Christkindlemarkt on Rathausplatz has over 150 stalls. It is open from late November to December 26. However, crowds swarm this market, pickpockets abound, and plastic toys and made in China tags aren’t rare.
A bit outside city center is a better option. One place that every visitor to Vienna should visit is Schðnbrunn Palace. Experience the opulence of the Hapsburg dynasty at this 300 year old summer palace with 1,441 rooms and beautiful gardens. And while you are there, you can visit Schönbrunn Christmas Market!
With approximately 60 booths, the Schðnbrunn Christmas Market is a bit smaller and less congested than the one on Rathausplatz. It’s location in front of a palace sets it apart from most European Christmas markets set in squares in front of town halls. It’s royalty shines in the beautiful gold and silver decorations and lights. As a result, it has a glamorous and elegant feel. Visitors feel like they have gone back in time. It also runs from late November until December 26, but also turns into a New Year market for a few days in January.
This market is a bit smaller, but booths offer amazing arts and crafts created by talented artisans from all over Europe. You can purchase anything from blown glass to needlecrafts to pottery to gourmet food . . . something for everyone on your list. Of course, Christmas decorations and ornaments are available in abundance as well.
Food items are similar to those found in other Austrian Christmas markets. One more unusual item is Bauerngröstl, a potato and beef dish. You can also try Raclette, a gooey melted cheese. To satisfy your sweet tooth, try Apfelstrudel (apple strudel with cream). Glühwein (mulled wine), Punsch (tea, rum, juice, and spices), and hot chocolate are also available in souvenir mugs. Like in Salzburg, you pay a deposit for the mug and either keep it or return it for a refund.
Locals love the live music offered at Schðnbrunn Christmas Market. Musicians of all types and genres entertain in the evening on weekdays and all afternoon on weekends. Enjoy traditional Christmas music as well as gospel and even jazz as these concerts!
What Christmas markets are on your bucket list?
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