From Germany To Georgia: Everything You Need To Know When Visiting A Christkindlmarkt

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Having been to over a dozen Christkindlmarkts (aka Weihnachtsmarkts aka Christmas markets) between our time living abroad and traveling throughout the US, I have to say there isn’t anything else quite like them. The array of delicious food, hot drinks, charmingly decorated stalls and magical lights sparkling in the chilly night create an atmosphere of quintessential Christmas bliss. Europe, and in particular Germany, is famous for them and if you ever have the pleasure of visiting them, you will know why. Typically set up in a main town square, for locals, a Christkindlmarkt becomes part of their holiday season effortlessly, quickly becoming a central gathering spot for quick lunches, family dinners, holiday office parties and friend hangouts. For tourists, they often are a bucket list experience sought after to enjoy to the fullest. Having had the pleasure of experiencing these Christmas markets from both perspectives, I thought I might put together a compilation of everything you need to know when visiting a Christkindlmarkt including a few of my favorite markets to visit both abroad and at home. 

What To Expect 

So, you’re taking a trip at Christmas and are dying to know what to expect?! Well, first, I am SO excited for you because truly, visiting a Christkindlmarkt / Weihnachtsmarkt / Christmas market is a special experience. You likely will get to try a plethora of food and drink ranging from bratwurst, steaksemmel (like a pork chop sandwich) and spaetzle to giant pretzels, crepes, waffles, stollen, lebkuchen and Baumstriezel (aka chimney cakes) to gluhwein, kinderpunsch and hot chocolate. Abundantly decorated stalls filled with ornaments, apparel, wooden creations, nativities, handmade goods, brushes, art, stars, chocolate, candies, nuts and more will be ready for you to shop. You may see giant Christmas pyramids, small Ferris wheels, medieval reenactments or live music. And throughout it all, you can soak in a magical holiday nostalgia. 

But what else to know you may wonder? Beyond the blissful beauty. Things like timing, weather, how to pay, what to speak? Well let’s jump into those details below! 

Gluhwein Mugs: A Christkindmarkt Collection

A hot mulled wine full of spices, gluhwein is one of the most popular elements of a Christkindlmarkt and its sweet scent wafts through the market providing a delicious and distinctive Christmas aroma. Each market is known for their version of this holiday drink as well as the mugs it is served in with their artful display of the market location.  While the recipes for both gluhwein and the non-alcoholic, kid friendly alternative, Kinderpunsch (you can check out my variation HERE!) vary between markets, I find this comparison between the drinks is part of the joy of attending multiple markets. Likewise, their mug designs differ as well. Most every market, even the smaller ones, have a distinct gluhwein mug that features the name of the market and a festive design. The larger markets often feature several different designs, so I recommend scouting out which mug design you like best to make your souvenir because when you buy a cup of hot gluhwein or kinderpunsch, you are paying for both the drink and the mug which you can keep. Certainly, if you don’t want to keep the mug, you can return it to receive back a euro or two of the original price, often at the stall you bought it or at a designated “Rückgabe” (return location), however if you do want it, you are free to keep it. Charlie and I have gathered quite a fun Christkindlmarkt mug collection now to remind us of the places and drinks we have tried throughout our travels, so if you are going on a trip at Christmas, I definitely recommend keeping a Gluhwein mug or two. 

When To Visit 

When looking to plan a visit to a Christkindlmarkt, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding when to visit. First off, no time is a bad time, but there will be a few things that change your experience depending on when you go. Most markets in Germany and the surrounding areas run from late November until Christmas Day, however a handful of markets (like those in Salzburg or Bolzano) run until New Years or Epiphany (January 6th) so be sure to check the dates of the markets you want to visit before you book. Likewise, markets are most always the most packed on nights and weekends for obvious reasons, so if you want a less crowded market, I recommend going during when they first open during the day. That being said however, they are magical at night with all of the lights, so be sure to brave the crowds for that experience at least once.  

Weather & How To Dress

The Germans have a favorite saying regarding the weather which is that “there is no bad weather. Only bad clothing”. And they approach it as such! Outside of a giant snowstorm or extreme weather event, the Christmas markets will go on rain, shine or snow! Likely, expect the weather to be cloudy, rainy or snowy with temperatures between the 20s to 40s (Fahrenheit). While 40F may not seem chilly, when it is cloudy, the temperatures don’t really change much throughout the day and simply stay cold all day which can tend to seep into your bones after a few hours standing around at a Christkindlmarkt. Certainly, more cups of gluhwein help, but I also recommend wearing layers, preferably with a waterproof exterior layer, warm materials like down or wool, accessories like hats, scarves etc., and comfortable shoes to stand for long periods of time. Most Christmas markets have limited, if any, seating, so comfy shoes are a must. Charlie and I found that adding a couple of hand or foot warmers to our pockets and shoes also was a great trick if the weather was super chilly. 

Keep Your Kids Warm With Najell

Christmas markets are a great event for the whole family! That being said, if you are traveling with littles, having the right gear can totally transform your Christkindlmarkt experience. If bringing a stroller, one of my favorite tips to keep your kids warm is to use a stroller footmuff or carrier! 

Najell Footmuff

Stroller footmuffs are extremely popular in Germany and after using THIS Footmuff from Najell, I know why! Adaptable to the SleepCarrier (you can read my thoughts on that HERE!) or just about any stroller, this Footmuff (with an available option in down as well) allows your kiddos to be bundled in their stroller without the hassle of constantly resituating extra blankets or worrying if they are warm enough. As a Swedish brand, Najell knows a thing of two about keeping kids warm in cold weather, so once you bundle them up with their layered clothing (Europeans love THESE wool outerwear jumpers for littles), simply pop them in their stroller, zip up the foot muff and then they are in a perfect little warm cocoon, almost like a sleeping bag attached to your stroller. With easy in and out access, your little one can venture around the markets while keeping perfectly warm and once paired with the Najell Stroller Gloves (amazing!), you both will be ready for all the cold weather Christmas market fun. Whether attending a Christkindlmarkt or not, I have loved the Footmuff and Stroller Gloves for many cold weather activities so they are the perfect winter gifts to enjoy the great outdoors this time of year! 

Najell Original Vol. 3 Baby Carrier

If you aren’t wanting to travel with or push a stroller through the markets, then using a baby carrier is the perfect solution for keeping your little one warm, safe and snug close to you. The Najell Original Vol. 3 Baby Carrier is an amazing option to use if you do not have one already as it is lightweight, can be worn in 6 different positions, is very comfortable and easy to travel with. While it is applicable for a newborn up to 3 years, I believe it is perfect for older babies as the hip seat and extra shoulder / hip belt padding make it extremely comfy for both baby and parent when worn for long periods of time, such as at a Christkindlmarkt. Like the Original Vol. 2 (I discuss it HERE!), I love the magnetic clasps and overall, so if you are looking for a carrier, this one is a fabulous choice! 

A Few Extra Tips 

While visiting a Christkindlmarkt is really not complicated and truly is just fun, here are a few extra tips to consider to ensure your experience is everything you want it to be! First off, be sure you have cash! Most Christmas markets still operate by cash with only a few booths accepting credit cards, so be sure to have Euros on hand for easy purchasing. Almost all vendors can speak at least a little English so they likely can direct you to an ATM in the wider area if necessary, though having cash on hand before will be easiest for sure. 

Likewise, don’t forget to have a few coins on you for the restroom! Many bathrooms in Europe require 50 cents or a Euro to enter, so best to carry some change. Though often very clean, bathrooms are not always widely available so it’s never fun to finally find a restroom only to realize you don’t have any coins, so use our experience as your lesson and bring them ahead of time! 

My Top 5 Favorite Christmas Markets 

How do you choose a favorite when there are so many good ones?! Certainly I haven’t been to them all (how could you?!), and some do become a bit repetitive, but overall these are a few of my favorites, in no particular order…

Munich

Summing up Munich as one Christkindlmarkt almost feels like cheating as there are many wonderful markets throughout the city! Simply Munich has a great description and map of all the Munich markets, but the classic Old Town market and the Münchner Adventsspektakel und Mittelalterlicher (Middle Ages) Weihnachtsmarkt near Odeonsplatz are particularly wonderful for a classic Bavarian feel through the ages. Evenings under the lights of the giant Christmas tree in Marienplatz are like nothing else. Be sure to check out the beautiful paper Christmas star booths when visiting the markets in Munich as they are classically Bavarian and not seen as often in other cities. 

Strasbourg

If you want to venture into France, the Strasbourg market is simply amazing! Situated at the top of the Alsace region (read about our bike trip through the region HERE!) along the Germany border, Strasbourg is a beautiful blend of French and German cultures. This market stretches all throughout the city which has some of the most elaborately decorated shops, alleys and streets I have seen of any city at Christmas. Likewise, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg is goregous at Christmas with its stained glass and incredible nativity display. Overall, worth a visit for sure! I do recommend visiting on a weekday if possible however because as one of the most popular markets in Europe, the weekends are extremely busy. 

Esslingen

About midway between Munich and Strasbourg is the charming town of Esslingen! A smaller market than either of the previous two, Esslingen has an amazing market which features a traditional market on one side and a middle ages market with booths featuring attire, goods and games on the other. For its size, smaller crowds and authentic feel, the Esslingen Christkindlmarkt remains one of our favorites!

Stuttgart

Only about 30 minutes from Esslingen, the Stuttgart Christkindlmarkt is lovely with its magnificently decorative stall roofs, delicious food and giant Christmas pyramid. If looking to purchase a nativity set, you can be sure to find a wonderful selection here as they had the biggest and most diverse options for nativity displays than any other Christkindlmarkt I have visited. 

Nuremberg

The Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt is another great market. Like the other big city markets, I highly recommend a visit on a weekday if possible, but being just over an hour from Munich by an ICE train, it is easily accessible. As the birthplace of Lebkuchen and Nürnberger Bratwurst, Nuremberg has much delicious food and a beautiful market that stretches throughout the city from the front city gates near the train station, all the way to the castle. Add on a visit to the castle for overlooking city views and a tour of the WWII art bunker for a bit of history and you have a most wonderful trip! 

Christmas Markets At Home

If after you return home you are craving a Christkindlmarkt experience, look for some in your area! Certainly, a US based Christmas market will not be the exact same as one in the center of a hundreds of year old European city, however they still can provide delicious food and a fun holiday atmosphere with local products perfect for giving as gifts. While I personally have attended markets in the greater Atlanta, Georgia and Denver, Colorado area, there are quite a few throughout the country, particularly up north and in the midwest. Both the Atlanta and Denver Christmas markets really tried to stay true to the spirit and offerings you would find at a European market while integrating local goods of the region. These markets can’t be a substitute for those abroad, however they do provide a very merry Christmas environment which is always worth experiencing. 

Final Thoughts 

I have absolutely loved experiencing these Christmas markets and I so hope that you can too! From the food to decor to festive environment, a Christkindlmarkt really is an experience unlike anything else. And once bundled up with all your layers and a hot mug of gluhwein or kinderpunsch in hand, the magic really begins. But I would love to know, have you ever been to a Christkindlmarkt? If so, was it one on this list? Or do you have another favorite? Let me know in the comment section below and be sure to save this post for your future Christmas market travels! 

Merry Christmas!

Chloe

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