From deciding which ones to visit, to what to buy, to staying warm enough (with or without a 'GlĂĽhwein' in hand), here's our complete guide to German Christmas markets.
Situated in the charming centre of Munich, the Christkindlmarkt attracts thousands of visitors from around the world from late November to December 24th each year.
Christmas is a time for spreading love and joy. You may be far from home and loved ones but to help you get that warm fuzzy feeling, we've put together a list of ways you can give back in Germany this December.
Many houses have already put a wooden candle arch in the window. But others are transforming into glittering Christmas worlds – sometimes to the annoyance of neighbours, and sometimes for a good cause.
As December comes around it brings lots of festive events to look forward to all across Germany. There are not only Christmas markets to enjoy, but other events ranging from a chocolate festival in TĂĽbingen to big New Year celebrations all around the country.
As the Christmas markets will open all over Germany throughout the next week or so, we have put together a list of some of the prettiest markets and what they have to offer to get us in the festive spirit.
Germany's Protestant Church complained Thursday of the "merciless commercialization" of Christmas and the early opening of festive markets in some cities.
Growing up in the US, Christmas for American journalist Rose-Anne Clermont was more of a religious affair. But for her atheist-leaning friends in her adopted country, Germany, Christmas is more about tradition and less about religion.
While limited shopping Sundays have grown popular in Germany, Christmas Eve appears to be the limit to allowing commercialism on the national day of rest.
Growing up in Scotland, I had limited connection to my German heritage. The only time of year that this changed was Christmas, which was magical - for the most part.
Some of the higher regions of Germany currently lie under a thick layer of snow. Alas, that is not to last as a warm front is about to creep across the country.
LĂĽbeck is the spiritual home of Germany's delicious almond-based treats. But, with bigger sweet companies circling, the small city's marzipan companies have a fight on their hands to maintain their independence.
There's no better way to prepare for Christmas than a good market, and Germany has an abundance on offer. From the traditional to the whacky, here are ten of the best from around the country.
Cliches about sausage-munching Germans are a thing of the past. These days everything has to be "bio". So is it a surprise that vegan Christmas markets are on the up?
Christmas can be a tough time of year if you haven’t got someone to share it with. That’s why one pensioner decided to seek out a family to spend the most festive day of the year with, and the response was overwhelming.
Who says it’s too early to get excited about Christmas? In the town of Himmelpfort north of Berlin at Santa’s largest German post office, thousands of letters have been piling up for weeks now.
The holiday garment that became cool for being anything but cool has now crept into German culture from overseas. But does that make it uncool once again?
