Christmas markets in Germany and Austria

I suggest picking your destination towns based on other sights and activities that interest you. This year, many German Christmas markets will be unlike those of previous years. Some will be broken up into smaller markets around town to maximize social distancing. Food and drink may be confined to specific zones within the market. Some will be completely fenced in, with admittance based on proof of vaccination / testing / recovery from Covid. Some towns are cancelling their market plans altogether. Do some research to determine whether there's a market in or near the places you choose to visit, then give it a try. IME, every Christmas market has been enjoyable on one level or another, but it's hard to say how this year will go.

We are planning on going this year for the first time. From what I can tell all the markets we plan to attend are open but am curious if anyone on this forum has heard otherwise. We fly into/out of Frankfurt but will home base in Nuremburg. Here are the markets we plan to attend:
1. Frankfurt
2. Nuremburg
3. Regensburg
4. Wurzburg
5. Rothenburg
6. Bamberg
7. Mainz

I would welcome any comments and/or inside information/experience on any of the markets listed above. Thanks!!

Vienna:
Karlsplatz
Spittelberg
Altes AKH
Schonbrunn

I suggest picking your destination towns based on other sights and
activities that interest you.

I was almost on the brink of starting a thread asking "What is it that fascinates Americans with Christmas markets more than anything else in Europe". :-)

To each his own, of course, and sure, it's fine to like Christmas markets. I totally agree that the priority for your itinerary should be on your other sights and activities though, and then group your Christmas markets around that.

@coachschue: You might also check the forum for other threads on Christmas markets, there are a ton (currently at 2939 ;-) ). Especially on the question if, when, and how they will take place this year. Which has not been decided on in many towns, and which may change whenever the Covid situation changes or the rules change.

@Charles: If you seriously plan to visit seven Christmas markets, make sure to pick those that focus on local crafts and local specialties. Else you may find yourself thinking "This is all the same, we have seen all this before" after your third Christmas market.

I was almost on the brink of starting a thread asking "What is it that
fascinates Americans with Christmas markets more than anything else in
Europe". :-)

This is funny, I always have the same question! I like Christmas markets, of course, but for the social element--getting drinks with friends and colleagues and so on. I cannot actually imagine travelling specifically to visit one, though.

But, I am nevertheless glad that they make others happy, so I mean no ill feelings with this!

Absolutely. :-) Anyone can visit as many Christmas markets as will make them happy, as far as I am concerned.

I just have to think of one of Rick Steves' mantras of "becoming a temporary local" when traveling. This local at least, and most locals I know, would never dream of traveling anywhere particularly for the Christmas market. They are nice, and you go there after work or when taking a walk through town at night, but I sure wouldn't go out of my way to visit one in some other town.

Fortunately for the locals, people from around the world travel to support the markets which supports rhe locals😊

I think it's quite natural that Germans, for whom Christmas markets are just part of the annual Christmas routine, do not necessarily appreciate them in the same way so many wide-eyed American visitors do. There really is NOTHING in the USA that compares well with this widespread, month-long tradition.

As a Californian, I have come to take the deserts of the West somewhat for granted - they tend to be something to drive THROUGH on the way to other places, but not worth lingering in for long... worth seeing once or twice, but probably not worth a large amount of vacation time and cash. Yet Europeans I've talked to reported spending weeks and weeks in such places. Why? Because there's NOTHING quite like deserts in Europe.

Even so... a trip based ONLY on Christmas markets is likely to become a little repetitive, as someone already pointed out.

Europe does the Advent Season differently in different countries and localities (the origin of Christmas markets). Locals go because it is a great excuse for an after work or evening out with friends for food and non-beer drinks on dark and dank days. Smaller markets commonly have community groups presenting musical concerts in the late afternoons and evenings if you like local choirs or school/community group entertainment. The Markets are open long hours, but with not nearly enough to do to fill days as well as evenings so plan to spend your days doing something interesting and the afternoons/evenings at the markets.

To some extent all Christmas Markets are actually the same.... Different cities ... different local traditions... Similar Gluhwein, Similar Things to Buy, A lot of similar food (but there are many local specialities too)... There are different styles of Christmas Markets too - "Regular" ones, "Middle Ages" style ones with different vendor clothes and drinks (more highly spiced "Feuerzangebowl" for example), etc.... Rothenburg can be covered in an hour or two. Nuremberg can be covered in one full afternoon and evening... People watching at the markets can fill hours, but I admit not to be very interested in that myself.

Have fun!

We generally pick the cities we want to visit and take the markets as frosting on the cake.

Regensburg is our favorite market/city combination. There are several wonderful churches to visit, and walking thru the old center of town (a maze of alleyways and squares) always thrills me, especially in Advent season. Regensburg has a Romantic Market at the Thurn and Taxis Palace and a regular Christmas Market near the town center.

Würzburg is another favorite stop for its castle (Marienberg Festung) across the Main River, Its bridge of saints and the Residenz in town. It has a good size market without large crowds.

I would not miss Rothenburg at Christmas. If you feel it is too touristy take a walk out into the vineyards. Go down to Detwang to see a Riemenschneider alter in the Peter Paul Church (check open times at the tourist office). Walk out into the garden which we find pleasant in any season. In really bad weather it is nice that so many of its shops give over to Christmas items during Advent Season.

Landshut has some of the most interesting facades that I have seen in Germany. The Christmas Market is a small community market. The market's charm is local people having fun.

I love rivers. Three of them converge in Passau. River bank walks, a nice shopping area and a decent shopping area make it a nice stop. It has another small community market.

Salzburg is beautiful but overwhelmed in Advent season. Prices are high. Restaurants are crowded. I did not care for its market. Still, at any season the city awesome to see.

Vienna has several markets and world class sights. It is also very expensive and crowded in Advent season. We loved the Schönbrun Palace. Learn to ride public transportation if you go. I think I preferred Vienna in a different season.

I have to say that Russ & NickB really hit the nail on the head as to why so many Americans, including me, are attracted to German Christmas markets. I'm half German, grew up in the Midwest, but now live in California. When we lived in Chicago, we loved visiting the downtown German Christmas market as it really put us in a festive holiday mood, and just like in Germany, Midwestern winters are really long, dark & dreary. Since moving to California 14 years ago, we really missed being able to meet friends at that market. So in 2019 we finally took the plunge and visited the Christmas markets in Vienna, Cologne, Münster & Essen - the last two were to meet up with friends who live in NRW. We were instantly hooked, but totally agree that some can get repetitive, and that it's best to "pick those that focus on local crafts and local specialties".

With that last bit in mind, thank you Gary Mc for your input.

Perhaps others will chime in with their favorite local speciality featured at a specific market?

As for me, I LOVE the grünkohl (with or w/out smoked bacon or mettwurst) at the markets in Münster & Essen, in North Rhine Westphalia. While it's not the prettiest dish out there, this savory, steaming hot bowl of comfort food was absolutely delicious on a cold winter day and a welcome change pace from other options like Käsespätzle - which we had in both Vienna and Münster ... both yummy, but much preferred the one in Vienna with crispy fried onions on top.