The World’s Best Christmas Markets

Cologne, Germany

German Christmas markets are fun-filled and musical. Cologne hosts many Christmas markets and the most well known market is held near the Cologne Cathedral. It is the largest in Germany and is a UNESCO World heritage site.

The market is decorated with Christmas lighting and different stalls are set up. The largest Christmas tree in the Rhine is accessorised and placed in the city centre. At dusk, the lighting gives a surreal affect to the night life of Cologne. Live concerts are held in the open space and convertible carrousels are set up for the audience.

Flammkuchen

Spectators gather and celebrate by eating Flammkuchen, a thin crust pizza with different toppings, the main one being cheese. Lebkuchen is a type of cake eaten commonly during the winter season. It resembles gingerbread. Nowadays, it is sold in heart shapes and is iced with messages. Glühwein is the most famous type of wine sold in winter. It is a dark red coloured liquid which is heated and served in transparent glass cups.

Lebkuchen iced with messages

Glühwein

Lincoln, UK

The stall set up is similar to the ones in Germany. Handicrafts and fast food are sold at the stalls and ice skating arenas are made.

In some places, small trains are made for children. The stalls are near cathedrals and churches. Bands perform in the amphitheatre and theatre groups perform and entertain the audience by staging street plays.

Strasbourg, France

The biggest Christmas market is in the capital city, Alsace. Stalls are embellished with hearts, angels and snowflakes. Since Strasbourg is on the border of Germany and France, the cultural aspect of the Christmas market is a treat to the eye. On one hand, French biscuits called Bredeles are sold and on the other, people enjoy drinking glühwein, the famous German wine.

Bredele

Worms, Germany

Regarded as Germany’s oldest city, the Christmas markets here are famous for their lighting. String lights are tied above stalls. Temporary ice skating rings are set up in the city centre and Santa Claus distributes gifts to small children in the market. The city’s cathedral where the stalls are set up reflects it’s Roman history. The Romanesque architecture is very famous and adds to the place’s rich history.