Photo Credit: Albrecht Classen

 

This year will be my first Christmas in Germany which also means it will be my first time to experience the famous German Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmarkt auf Deutsch) that I always hear about.

The  previews Christmases saw me eating pierogi in the gorgeous Tatra mountains of Poland, throwing a Christmas dinner party in Stockholm and spending time with my family back in the Philippines.

Check out my bowtied beauty hosting a Christmas dinner party at my apartment in Stockholm with friends from Brazil, Turkey, India, USA (not in video) and the Philippines because, you know, that’s how you spend Christmas when you live abroad: with other foreign friends. Mostly.

 

 

Announcing the Ultimate German Christmas Market Tour

 

My rule in life is that  if I commit to doing something I should go all the way or I shouldn’t do it at all.

So I’m pulling all the stops with German Christmas markets this year. If I’m doing Christmas markets, I might as well go all out. I am visiting a mixture of German christmas markets – from the most famous to the smaller, off-the-radar ones. As of press time, there are over 2,500 Christmas markets all over Germany. Cray cray. I will be visiting a number of Christmas markets in 7 German cities.

To keep up with what I promised you guys last month, here is my eurotrip itinerary this December featuring German Christmas markets:

 

Weihnachtsmarkt in Baden-Baden

Photo credit: Hikersmurf

 

November 30 – Baden-Baden Christmas Market

What makes it special: This famous spa and thermal bath city located in the legendary hills of the Black Forest has a very cozy Christmas market set against the backdrop of the world-famous Kurhaus casino. I just recently came back from this trip and loved it. More dispatches soon on the blog about my first ever glühwein experience here!

Dates: November 25 – December 30, 2013

Opening Times: 11AM to 9PM daily

UPDATE: Check out my post and photos of Baden-Baden Christmas Market

 

mannheim christmas market

Photo credit: Mannheim Christmas Market Press photos

 

December 1 – Mannheim Christmas Market

What makes it special: It is one of the largest and most beautiful Christmas markets in Southwest Germany. It is situated by the Wasserturm, surrounded by an expansive Art Nouveau garden. And it’s just literally 5 minutes from the central station. I enjoyed my Sunday night here before heading back home. Pictures to come soon!

Dates: November 27 – December 23, 2013

Opening Times: 11AM to 9PM daily

UPDATE: Check out my post and photos of Mannheim Christmas Market

 

nuremberg christmas market

Photo credit: Nuremberg Tourism

 

December 6 – Nürnberg Christmas Market

What makes it special: The Nuremberg (Nürnberg auf Deutsch) Christmas Market is one of the most famous Christmas Markets in the world even though it’s not the biggest nor the oldest. The city is also home to one of the oldest wursts in the world and one of my favorites, the Nuremberg bratwurst. This December, everything is literally booked and train tickets are cray cray expensive (one-way 4-hour train ticket now costs around 220 euros kill me now) so if you’re going here this year, I hope you’ve already booked your tickets and hotels.

I’m heading there later today and staying for 3 days. Excited!

Dates: November 25 – December 30, 2013

Opening Times: 11AM to 9PM daily

UPDATE: Check out and bookmark my Insider Guide to the Nuremberg Christmas Market for your trip next year!

 

essen christmas market

Photo credit: Daily This

 

December 14 – Essen Christmas Market

What makes it special: Well I am mostly based here so that makes it special! Plus it’s actually called International Essen Christmas Market because it features exotic products from around the world. And you can also food trip here because it offers different cuisines from all over the world.  I haven’t spent much time here though because I’m always away but this month one of my friends is coming to visit so we will invade this together.

Dates: November 21 – December 23, 2013

Opening Times:

Sun-Thu 11am-9pm
Fri-Sat 11am-10pm
Sun 24.11 6pm-10pm

 

wiesbaden christmas market

Photo credit: Stephen Richter

 

December 22 – Wiesbaden Christmas Market

This charming little city near Frankfurt is also one of the oldest spa towns in Europe. It’s Christmas market is called “Wiesbaden Twinkling Star Christmas Market” because of the characteristic brightly lit ten-metre high lilies decorated all over the Christmas market. We will be visiting a friend and staying overnight before heading to Cologne for Christmas.

Dates: November 26 – December 23, 2013

Opening Times:

Mon-Thu 10.30am-9pm daily
Fri-Sat 10.30am-9.30pm
Sunday noon-9pm

 

cologne christmas market

Photo credit: Cologne Tourism

 

December 23 – Cologne Christmas Market

What makes this special: OK where do I begin? I’ve lived in Cologne on and off since 2011 and this city is special to me. From what I know, Cologne has around 7 Christmas markets scattered all over its major areas. But the best one it seems is the Christmas market by the famous Cologne Cathedral in the city center (see photo above). I still don’t know which ones I’m checking but for sure I’ll be checking some of them.

Dates: November 25 – December 23, 2013

Opening Times: various times; check online for your preferred Christmas market

 

berlin christmas market

Photo credit: Stiller

 

December 27 – Berlin Christmas Market

What makes this special: Berlin is the capital city of German Christmas Markets with around 60 different Christmas markets all over the city. Cray cray. I still have no plans which ones to check out. I’ll probably just ask local friends who live there to point me to the best ones. More importantly, we’re also spending New Year’s Eve in Berlin and staying for 2 weeks. Some of our friends are also coming to spend New Year’s in Berlin with us so I’m sure it’s gonna be super duper fun! And some readers of the blog has messaged me that they will be there too so a meet-up is in order. Let me know if you’re in Berlin too!

Dates: November 25 – December 31, 2013

Opening Times:

Sun-Thu 11am-10pm
Fri-Sat 11am-11pm
Christmas Eve 11am-6pm
New Years Eve 11am-1am

 

All in all, I will have a very busy month this December. I hope, though, that I won’t get sick of Christmas markets after this.

P.S. Have you answered the reader survey yet? It takes two minutes!

 

Have you been to a German Christmas market? Which one was your favorite?

 

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DJ Yabis is the poster boy of Dream Euro Trip and a modern day renaissance man. Originally from the Philippines, he loves throwing dinner parties and stalking rock stars in music festivals. Subscribe or follow his adventures LIVE on Facebook or Instagram. Learn how to plan your own eurotrip.

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