This post is being written with a little bit of planning and a lot of haste. I am presenting at our school's Tuesday Morning Club next week about Christmas Markets. I thought it would be easier just to share about them via my blog and I will be able to share with you, future traveler to Germany and family and any potential visitor during this season, as well as those who live here now. Christmas markets are something I LOVE about the Christmas season here. They do not have Thanksgiving here, and now that St. Martin's is over (another blog post about that, I believe), they are decorating and gearing up for Christmas everywhere.
Last year there was a touch more magic to the Christmas market season because we were able to attend a few Christmas markets in the SNOW. This was at the beginning of all of the glorious white stuff, so it was still quite magical. (It lost its power when it was still snowing in April. We had literally one small snow the year before!!) We attended the Düsseldorf market and the market at Schloss Dyck in the snow and FREEZING temperatures. Just be truly prepared, stock up on the Glüwhein or Kinderpunsch, and dress warmly!!!
Düsseldorf usually has one of the first markets to open, so it is always the one I go to first. Because of all the construction going on downtown, this market is divided up into lots of little markets with themes. It is nice, but certainly not my favorite (and not just because my wallet was stolen there last year.) It does have its moments, however, plus a really nice big Ferris Wheel to watch it all from high above.
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| A typical stall at the Düsseldorf market |
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| This felt like Narnia! |
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| My oldest at the market. |
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| Never thought I would capture the cartwheeler in snow! |
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| People decorate with these paper stars in their windows for Christmas - so I had to get one! |
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| The infamous smokers! |
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| The cool trees that provide shade in the summer and just look funny in the winter. |
Because of the size of the Düsseldorf market, you can find a great variety of items - it is just really spread out. Thus making it more difficult to find the good stuff. We went to this market with a good friend visiting last year (thanks for making time to see us, Rob!) and enjoyed the roasted chestnuts and Glüwhein in the cold.
Later that weekend we went to one of my favorite markets, Schloss Dyck. It is extra special because it has a Krippenspiel. What is that, you may ask? Basically, it is a live Nativity! But not the kind you just come and see the Nativity - instead, we walked through candle-lit woods to come upon Mary & Joseph heading to Bethleham. Then you meet an Angel sharing news with the shepherds. Further down the road, you run right into the wise men. Then finally, baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph in the stable in Bethleham - singing traditional German Christmas hymns! (For a taste of that, go here.) The castle is cast in softly changing lights to your left the entire walk. It honestly feels a little magical - and last year in the snow?? Even more so. The vendors at Schloss Dyck are great, too. French soaps, homemade woodworks, knit items - I felt like they were a bit more unique than what I saw at Düsseldorf. But it is only open for 3 weekends, so take advantage while you can!
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| We arrived to a gorgeous sunset. |
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| This is how you need to dress. |
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| It was a heavy wet snow - and it was beautiful at this palace in the woods. |
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| Lots of lights, fires, candles, lasers... |
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| This is Mary and Joseph - the trek to Bethlehem was especially cold that year. |
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Gregorian chanting accompanies the sudden appearance of the angel. (Prepare your little ones - in the dark this can be quite suddenly startling!)
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| Winter wonderland! |
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| They were freezing...the other boy was already at the car!!! |
Schloss Burg is another one of my favorite markets. It is only one weekend, and this year it falls on Thanksgiving weekend. Not the best timing for us Americans celebrating over the weekend, but if you can make it, it is well worth the little drive. The coolest thing about this market is not only that it is within the castle walls - it is INSIDE the CASTLE!! I didn't take many pictures because I was trying to keep up with the rowdy crew I was with, but it was so neat to move from room to room in the castle, down narrow outdoor passageways and winding staircases, through bedrooms and meeting rooms. The vendors had some great items, and it was a fantastically fun time. Some really good lunch food as well!
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| Need dental tools anyone??? |
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| Schloss Burg |
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| A great find for her little one! |
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| Inside the chapel at Schloss Burg - better in person, I promise. |
The only other market I have visited is in Essen. It is a great market, a lot of variety, easy to get to (just take a regional train to Essen or park at the Essen Hbf), and apparently beautiful at night. I went during the day, so missed all the lights at night, although they did look like they would be nice during the day. This market is great because of its vendors - you can get some legit shopping done here, making it a worthwhile market just for that alone. (They had a medieval market, with people dressed and cooking medieval food, selling products. Very cool.)
I intend to go to a few more markets this year (Aachen, Koln, Oberhausen). But sometimes illness gets in the way and I have to resign myself to just the little local one in Kaiserswerth - but at least they have the Glüwhein! Invite a friend and enjoy the markets!
