Christmas Special 2006

Christmas Markets

Leipzig’s Christmas market offers many attractions

Over the past few years Leipzig has become one of Germany’s most popular travel destinations. Especially at Christmas guests from all over the world flock to the city. From 27.11.-23.12.2006 eleven Christmas areas will turn the city centre into one huge Christmas market. Be it Flammlachs (flamed salmon) and glögi in the Finnish village, a performance of Grimm’s fairy tales in the enchanted forest, Leipzig’s 44th Model Train Exhibition or the big Miners’ Parade from Brühl to Augustusplatz – there’ll be something to suit every taste. Leipzig’s Christmas market – dating back to 1767 – is one of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets. With its approx. 250 stalls and a unique variety of themes it is also one of the biggest Christmas markets. All stalls are open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., and even until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

www.leipzig.de

 

Historical setting and brilliant attractions at Osnabrück’s Christmas market get you in the mood for Christmas

From 27 November to 22 December Osnabrück attracts visitors with the most beautiful Christmas market of the north featuring lots of novelties for the whole family.

The world’s biggest nutcracker stands on the market square, and at the cathedral a six-metre music box will turn to popular Christmas tunes, while Germany’s biggest portable model railway starts rolling next to the theatre. With these spectacular highlights Osnabrück’s Christmas market is even worth a trip for Nuremberg’s Christkindl.  

The extraordinary atmosphere of the historical Christmas market, its record-breaking attractions and big family programme get visitors in the mood for the coming holiday. From 23 November to 22 December scents of roast almonds and mulled wine will again waft through Osnabrück’s city centre. The Christmas markets at the market square, Domhof and Johanniskirche will be open to visitors from 12 to 9 p.m. The panorama train will take you from one festively decorated site to the next.

Osnabrück’s Christmas market is the magnet of the north during Advent. In 2004 television viewers of NDR’s Aktuelle Schaubude programme voted it the most beautiful Christmas market in the north of Germany. Over one million people visit the historical Christmas market every year.

www.osnabrueck.de

 

Christmas Markets in the Frankfurt/ Rhine-Main region

Frankfurt’s Christmas market (23.11.– 21.12.) is one of Germany’s most important Christmas markets in size and number of visitors. With its elaborate and creative stall decorations against the backdrop of Römerberg and Paulsplatz and with a gigantic Christmas tree, it is also one of the most beautiful. The chimes of St. Nicholas’ Church on Römerberg ring three times a day and you can hear trumpets every Wednesday and Saturday at 6 p.m.. There are choir performances on Fridays and every weekend (5.10 p.m.), and on 2 December from 4.30 to 5.00 p.m. and Christmas Eve from 5.00 to 5.30 p.m. you can hear the Frankfurt “Stadtgeläut” - with 50 bells tolling from 10 churches.

Wiesbaden’s Shooting Star Market (28.11.– 23.12.) will open on the picturesque Schlossplatz with its City Fountain, at the historical castle (now the headquarters of the federal state parliament), and at the attractive town hall. Four star-covered gates will open onto a fairytale landscape. There will be roundabouts and choo-choo trains for children, lots of treats and sweets. The huge Christmas tree and crib with life-size wooden nativity figures are really worth a visit. Visitors can also watch wood carvers at work. There’ll be choir performances every day, nativity plays and storytelling sessions.

Mainz’ Christmas market (30.11.– 23.12.) has a long tradition: The federal state capital already had a Nikolose Markt over 200 years ago. Today, the historical market place at St. Martin’s Cathedral is transformed into a sea of lights during Advent. The lime wood nativity figures and the eleven-metre Christmas pyramid with lots of figures and lights are simply spectacular. An extensive musical and artistic programme on two stages at the cathedral will also help get you in the mood for Christmas. The Mainz Children’s Christmas Market at Liebfrauenplatz is especially intended for families: A Ferfis wheel, Christmas Bakery and lots of heart-warming attractions will get young and old in the spirit for the holiday season.

www.frankfurt-tourismus.de