One of the best things about living in Germany this time of year are the beautiful Christmas markets. The magical atmosphere, the beautiful sights and the delicious smells are hard to match anywhere else in the world.
But there are so many to see and only one month to see them all! So we asked our sales, admin and service center team to share tips about their favorite Christmas Markets, so that you can enjoy this magical time with some insider knowledge. Here’s what they told us…
Nigel – Used Car Guys Spangdahlem / Nigel@usedcarguys.net
Dudeldorf: The Christmas Market in Dudeldorf is probably one of the nicest markets in the KMC area. It’s approximately one hour from Ramstein and 5 mins from Spangdahlem A.B. It’s only on for one weekend during the season – December 2nd & 3rd so be sure to plan to visit now! The market is situated in a very charming formerly walled village with access only through the towers, and the highlight is at 17:00 pm on Saturday when a band dressed in full Scottish outfits march through the market playing the bagpipes! Website here.
John – Used Car Guys Ramstein / john@usedcarguys.net
Traben-Trarbach: Mosel Weihnachtsmarkt is an underground market in the city’s underground wine cellars, which makes for a very lovely and unique atmosphere. It’s probably the only Christmas market that is weather-proof too! Website here.
Strasbourg: The oldest Christmas market in Europe is in the beautiful French city of Strasbourg. There are over 300 stalls spread out over 10 locations all over this really historic city. They have a huge and beautifully decorated Christmas tree as the centrepiece. Strasbourg was voted last year as the best Christmas market in Europe for the second time running, so I think it’s definitely worth a visit. Website here.
Mauro – Service Center
St. Wendel: My favourite Christmas Market is in St.Wendel. It’s about one hour drive from the KMC. It has an old fashioned “flavour”, but, in my opinion, it’s great. The have a real stables which, somewhat bizarrely, includes a live monkey! There is a lovely exhibition of model stables in different variations and a medieval crafts market too. Website here.
Anke – Used Car Guys Ramstein
Saarbrücken: It’s hard to beat the Christkindlmarkt in Saarbrücken for a special location. It’s set in the beautiful baroque marketplace and includes a ‘flying santa’ 30 metres above the market. There is over 80 stands offering gorgeous and traditional christmas gifts and delicious tasty treats. Website here.
Jabby – Used Car Guys Ramstein / jabby@usedcarguys.net
Kaiserslautern: I think one of the best Christmas markets is right on our doorstep in Kaiserslautern. In fact all over the city there are actually half a dozen Christmas markets taking place at one time or another throughout advent. The main one is at Schillerplatz in the city centre and offers everything you need to have the full experience – funfair rides for the kids, glühwein (white and red), sizzling wurst and lots of lovely stands selling handmade
gifts. Website here.
Ed – Used Car Guys Sales Center
Bernkastel: Just half an hour from Baumholder is the delightful Christmas market in the old town of Bernkastel. It’s situated in small narrow streets full of decorated half timber framed houses and it’s absolutely gorgeous. A very special event takes place on the first Saturday of December… more than 100 torch-carrying scuba divers swim through the icy waters of the mosel to accompany Santa Claus to the bank of the moselselle in Bernkastel, where he then hands out gifts to young spectators. Website here.
David – Used Car Guys Ramstein
Mannheim: The Mannheim Christmas market is actually made up of three different markets. The biggest is based around the famous and historic ‘Wasserturm’, and over 200 stalls offers a huge selection of gifts and lovely tasting food. Another is a more ‘handwerker’ market in the middle of the shopping area, which includes slightly more expensive but more traditionally made gifts and a more eclectic selection of food and drinks (hot whiskey if Glühwein isn’t your thing). But the newest market over the last couple of years has been the emergence of the ‘Marchenwald’ in paradeplatz – a forest which includes characters from children’s stories and activities for kids. This is also where the best food (in my opinion) can be found! Website with details of all three markets are here.
Baden-Baden: My wife’s favourite Christmas market is in Baden-Baden. It’s a small market in front of the famous ‘Kurhaus’, but really beautiful and full of lovely handmade festive products. It’s also not quite as crazy as some other markets so quite a relaxing experience. The pathway leading up to the market is flanked by flickering candles and several huge and beautiful stain glass windows each depicting scenes from the nativity, which have been created by local schools. There is also always a live band or choir on the stage in the middle of the market. Her best tip is to spend a day at the Caracalla spa, then just after dark go to spend a couple of hours at the Christmas market – it’s the best way to relax during the chaotic period leading up to Christmas. Website here.
James – Used Car Guys
Deidesheim: As I am now a true Pfalzer (married to one anyway!), I have to recommend the Christmas market in the beautiful wine village of Deidesheim on the Weinstraße. IT’s billed as the most romantic Christmas Market in the Pfalz and I think they are right. They also have the best Glühwein as it’s made from the wine and grapes that are grown and harvested here in the village. There are lots of stands offering traditional gifts, but better yet the craftsmen and women are often making them live so you can actually watch and see how they are made. It’s really magical. Website here.
