Visiting Germany

German Christmas Market

Heidelberg Christmas Markets 2011 dates: November 23, 2011 to December 22, 2011. Open every day from 11:00 to 21:00.

The German Christmas markets in Heidelberg are some of the most beautiful in the whole country. If you are visiting Germany at Christmastime, they are the perfect place to get into the seasonal spirit.

The main Heidelberg Christmas markets are located in the city’s old town. They are spread across Kornmarkt, Marktplatz, Universitatsplatz, Anatomiegarten, and Bismarckplatz, making for a large market area in the heart of the city.

In addition to all of the traditional market stalls selling handicrafts and food, the Heidelberg markets feature the famous Art-Advent Calendar at Heidelberg Castle from December 1 to 24, 2011.

Christmas on Ice in Karlsplatz is another unique feature of the Heidelberg Christmas markets. It is an open-air skating rink where visitors can ice skate in a festive atmosphere at the base of Castle Hill. It is open every day between 10:00 and 21:30 all the way up until January 8, 2012.

Below is a Cologne Christmas market map that you can interact with to see the various locations of the markets throughout the city.

There are seven stunning Christmas markets in Cologne, Germany. Spread out across the city center, the markets are famous throughout Europe.

The Christmas markets vary in theme from fairytale to nautical, but they all share the common traditions of mulled wine, crafts, and seasonal decorations. Use the interactive Cologne Christmas Market map to explore the location of each one.

Bochum

Bochum Christmas Market 2011 dates: November 17, 2011 to December 23, 2011

The annual Bochum Christmas Market is one of the biggest celebrations of the year in Bochum.

Bochum’s market is home to 200 Christmas market stalls selling all of the traditional crafts that German Christmas markets are known for. Additionally, the market offers a variety of German food and hot mulled wine.

Bochum’s Christmas market features a giant nativity scene with a spinning top, right in the middle of the market square.

The Bochum Christmas Market is located by the Paulus church in the Bochum city center.

Bochum is easily reached by train from Dusseldorf, so the Bochum Christmas Market makes a great day trip. There are also trains to Bochum from Aachen, Cologne, Essen, and other German cities.