Christmastime in Germany or Switzerland is not complete without a visit to a local Christkindlmarkt.
From the Gluhwein to the handmade ornaments, every market has its own personality.
Even the markets here in the United States have unique aspects.
An essential Part of any trip to Germany Switzerland Austria in November and December is visiting a Christmas market.
Even big cities like Zürich or Berlin have multiple Christmas markets. There’s almost one for each neighborhood area, so no matter where you are staying there’s likely one within walking distance.
What are some of the features of a Christkindlesmarkt?
Called Christkindlmarkt (Krihst-kihndle-markt) in German, these Christmas markets range in size from about 20 booths to multiple city blocks and streets.
You can buy anything from Glühwein (gloo-vine), to Bratwurst and Brötchen (rolls), to hand carved ornaments, Christmas toys and more. It’s similar to one stop shopping for everything Christmas.
And even if you don’t intend to buy anything, visiting one gives you an experience unlike any other.
The traditional booth looks very similar market to market, whether in Berlin, Nuremberg, Zürich. or Denver.
The wooden booth is a dark frame with ivy or other greenery and sometimes Christmas lights decorating the frame. Some have a serving table out front. Some have their own tables in the booth.
Other decorations include a Christmas Tree, Santa’s chair, Candle Trees and more.
If you haven’t been to one, it’s similar to a farmers market, but Christmas themed.
What can I find at a Christkindlesmarkt?
There’s more handmade goods or other types of gifts rather than fresh food but still run by local people and local artisans.
Gift options include handmade ornaments of metal, wood, or glass. There’s also wooden and mass produced toys. Of course there’s nutcrackers and other traditional Christmas decorations.
Many can include events with live music and dancing. I have even seen one that had a puppet show for children.
Zurich has a singing children’s pyramid and their Christmas tree is always decorated by Swarovski.
Munich has beer tents and gardens.
Berlin has a giant candle tree.
Denver has the Mile High Tree, a huge Christmas tree made of lights.
What food options are available?
Every market has Gluhwein and apple cider.
Gluhwein is mulled wine, it is alcoholic as a note. My friend Renee of NextCocktails has an easy recipe (she calls Tannenbaum Mulled Wine) to make your own at home!
But the key feature that convinces everybody to go to every single Christmas market is the unique mug that it comes in. They usually have a unique design year to year with the city or neighborhood name and date. They don’t cost a lot extra when you get them with your mulled wine or cider and if you don’t want to keep them or you already have that one and you can return it for Pfand (which is a deposit).
Food options include potato soup, Bratwurst and Brötchen (bread rolls), soft pretzels, or a food that is more local to the neighborhood such as Currywurst in Berlin.
Christkindlesmarkt Fun Facts
- Most open before Thanksgiving here in the US because Europe doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving.
- The market will usually be in the old town or center square.
- Some are called Weihnachtmarkts or Striezelmarkt.
Regardless of what your plans are for this festive season, I recommend finding a market near you to check out!
Want to learn more about the traditions and language? Check out Lernen: Christmas!
The German Embassy in New Delhi organizes a Christmas Market every year and while I haven’t been there since the pandemic, I remember how much fun it was and the large array of goodies and items one could purchase.
Good memories!
I use to live in Bitburg, Germany the Christmas festival was the best !