You can't help it! It's already christmas time!

Nearly every city in Germany has its own little Christmas market ("Weihnachtsmarkt" in German). But on many of them all you find is blaring music, stinky food for a couple of Euros or boring huts selling the same old rubbish. This is why we went on a quest for the most beautiful, romantic Christmas markets with a real cozy atmosphere. And found some! "Oh come little children!"


Lucia Christmas Market at Kulturbrauerei in Berlin
The historical Kulturbrauerei collection of buildings with its courtyards is the picturesque backdrop for a contemplative Christmas market. This market is far beyond the normal whoopee in Berlin. AND it is in the middle of Berlin’s hip quarter of Prenzlauer Berg. The Lucia Christmas Market, named after the northern saint of light is full of lovely things from Scandinavia: honey from Finland, elk goulash or Swedisch Christmas cookies. Of course you can also sip glogg or Gluehwein. In the afternoon, kids can trampoline or make crafts. There is also a Christmas tree and a log fire where you can warm yourself. The family friendly market is also the ideal place to meet up for a break in one of the many restaurants and bars around Kollwitzplatz after a pre-Christmas expedition through the Kulturbrauerei.


Christmas Market at Castle of Charlottenburg in Berlin
The market is not too big and very popular with especially families. It is located in front of Schloss Charlottenburg, the only Prussian royal palace that survived in Berlin itself. A perfect setting that and can hardly be beaten. To keep it all nice and cozy, the merchants have to decorate their wooden huts and tents with natural materials only, using plastic is strictly forbidden. More than 250 international exhibitors present select arts and crafts, old handicrafts and upmarket catering and top culinary offerings. There are also numerous events. A special recommendation goes out to the wonderful children’s Christmas market in the „winter forest“, in front of the small orangey. Here, the small ones can have fun on the airy swing, the Ferris wheel or the merry-go-round or they can go to visit the petting zoo. This „Royal Christmas market for children“ is free of any offers of sale or food and of course you won’t find any alcoholic drinks here.


Festive Christmas Market at the Castle of Liebenberg
Due to the historic background, this Christmas Market can truly be described as a genuine Fairy Tale Market. The scenery is just magical; the air filled with the yummy smell of freshly backed gingerbread, Christmas cookies and Gluehwein. This romantic market offers all the bustling atmosphere of a German Advent in a real castle. The artists and craftsmen set up stalls laden with wonderful handmade wares such as dolls, pottery, paintings on silk and other materials and all sorts of other gifts. In the “inspectors House”, fairy tales are read to children so that their eyes are guaranteed to glow with delight. The small one can also enjoy arts and crafts. This historic castle estate is situated is situated a 35-minute drive north of Berlin’s Tegel Airport in the Brandenburg town of Liebenberg, to the north of Berlin, amidst a picturesque countryside of forests and lakes.

 Christmas Market at the Castle of Bensberg
This market is a rare gem as it only takes place on three days: from December 3th -11th 2011. The Castle, which is home to a luxurious five start hotel and has a star-rated restaurant, open its inner courtyard doors to the baroque scenery. When the Christmas lights are burning, and the historic carrousel is turning, a fairytale spirit comes up. For the children, the Castle offers a free intergrative child care inside where they can make crafts or play. Outsides, you can buy roasted almonds, handmade chocolate and chestnuts. Organ grinders play along. By the way: this is the only market we found that arranged its huts according the knowledge of feng shui…..


City of Advent in Quedlinburg
The historic scenery with its picturesque timbered-houses turn his UNSECO heritage city into one huge jolly celebration. What is unique in whole Germany is the so called „Advent in den Höfen“, where only at the second and third weekend of Advent over twenty old backyards of the town of Quedlinburg open up to the public. Here, on historic ground the people from this city offer small treasuries, which they made or collected especially fort his time….a really Christmassy atmosphere. Another highlight, particularly for kids is the Germanys biggest advent calendar. Every day from 1st until 24th December, one of 24 doors of the nicely decorated houses on the hills of the Castle of Quedlinburg opens. Behind each, a sweet magical surprise is waiting for the small ones. To join the spectacular, meet the parents and kids at 16:30h every day in front of the Klopstockhouse. From here, they all look for the house with the shiny star.


Christmas in the Castle St. Emmeram
Within the center of the city of Regensburg, which is called a „Medieval Wonder“ and belongs to UNESCO heritage, lies the baronial Castle of the Family Thurn und Taxis. In the time of Advent, the estate converts into one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets of Germany. The inner courtyard is illuminated solemnly and is turned into an old village with traditional craftspeople like wood turner or candle-makers, each of them manufacture unique items. Only traditional food like roasted wild hog on a spit is served. The musical program is sophisticated and international. Kids will love the nostalgic merry-go-round and the jolly punch and judy show. Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis and her family mingle unconventionally, but in these times, you cannot identify her from the colored hair…..


Reiterlesmarkt in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Location is everything it says. And that is true. This city also belongs to UNESCO world heritage. The medieval city center is flooded with warm light and turns the houses into a winter fairytale. Since over 500 years, Rothenburg ob der Tauber celebrates Christmas with a market and with great effort, the city managed to change only a little since this historic beginning. During the whole December, visitors can enjoy a number of cultural events. The highlight is the appearance of the “Rothenburger Reiterle”, after whom the market is named. The historical origin of the „Reiterle“ (rider) comes to us from the dim and distant past. Our ancestors believed that they were messengers from another world, who in wintertime floated through the skies with the souls of the dead. But the image of this mythical character has changed over the centuries. Whereas one used to tremble in fear before this eerie figure, today, young and old look forward to his return. The wild horseman has become a friendly messenger.


Christmas Market at Gut Böckel
 This is truly a Christmas Market like from a different time and takes place only on the first advent weekend, from 25th until the 27th of November 2011. A couple of days earlier, the 27 members of the family of Gut Böckel come home form all over to decorate and prepare their manor from the 17th centaury for this beautiful market. They set up beautiful lights, trim the house and all other buildings and get ready when around 80 merchants arrive to sell only hand selected goods. There is also a bright white aerial firework, a lantern procession for kids, concerts in the chapel and funny enough a show by Scottish bagpipers. There is also a Christmas post office with a special postmark. Fairytales are being read to children and there are many places for crafting and playing.


Old German Christmas Market in Bad Wimpfen
In this medieval village set on a hill above the Neckar River, Christmas market stalls are set up along the narrow, winding alley ways and on the cobblestones of the main square. They are known throughout south-west Germany as some of the most authentic Christmas markets, and you can choose from a huge assortment of handmade Christmas tree decorations and hand-carved wooden toys, as well as tasting the real German Christmas spirit with Gluhwein and decorated gingerbread pieces. The Bad Wimpfen Christmas markets adhere to the strict tradition of being held only on the weekends of Advent, which means they often finish a week or ten days before Christmas, so you have to be careful not miss them.