Germany in late November-early December

I am going to Munich for the Christmas Markets. The Christmas Market in Munich opens right after our Thanksgiving. I am using Munich as a base and traveling by train to different places in Germany. I understand the Christmas Market in Strasbourg and Colmar France are worth the effort to see. I have been to the Nurnberg market and is quite congested. I like the one in Munich around the main square---more elbow room. I hope to get to Bamberg, as I haven't been there yet--understand very quaint. Enjoy your trip.

Christmas markets in medium to large cities will begin the 1st Advent, (or a couple of days before that Advent weekend) so 4 weeks before Christmas. Check the websites for any towns that interest you. Small towns will have markets on usually just one weekend, so it is best to check their websites too. It is good to be in a city that offers other things to see and do besides the markets, like museums or concerts in churches, in case you get tired of them or the weather is rainy or freezing. I don't get tired of them, but some people do. It is completely dark by about 17:00.

In the Frankfurt area, you could visit the market in Frankfurt of course, as well as the ones in Mainz, Wiesbaden, Heidelberg, Marburg, Seligenstadt, Würzburg, Rüdesheim, Aschaffenburg, Darmstadt. Further afield, I really like the market in Stuttgart for the best use of decorations and a good set-up as you never feel too crowded, and I loved the medieval market in near-by Esslingen. Very unique. Would like to visit the one in Erfurt this year.

Here is a list of the zillion Christmas markets in Germany and a few of the neighboring cities, like Colmar, Strausburg, Brussels, etc. Many of them don't have the 2014 dates listed, but the tourist info websites are listed.
http://www.weihnachtsmarkt-deutschland.de/

Hi,

Just wanted to say we've done 2 "Christmas Market" trips in the last 3 years. The Markets in Salzburg start on Nov. 20 and the ones in Innsbruck start Nov. 15. Both are well worth visiting.

I would seriously reconsider using a car. I did an 11-day trip specifically for Christmas markets in early December, all by train. The markets are in town centers, so parking is going to be difficult, especially since the locals frequent the markets after work until they close. There were several days of snow which accumulated to several inches. Who'd want to be on the autobahn in that?

My itinerary was Frankfurt (day trip to Mainz/Wiesbaden - recommended), Esslingen/Stuttgart, Strasbourg/Colmar, Munich, Salzburg. There was plenty of time to sightsee in the mornings and early afternoons. Most of the markets didn't really get going until lunchtime. After work, the locals go out to eat and drink and socialize in Germany and by 8 p.m. the markets were too crowded to enjoy (they close around 9 p.m.), except in Munich where there are so many - a couple open until midnight. I found the French markets to be more centered around crafts and children. My favorite, hands-down, were Colmar and Esslingen. The Frankfurt market was my least favorite.

If you don't mind a sleepy little town, I would highly recommend some time in Oberammergau. The whole town decorates for Christmas, giving it a very old-world Christmas feel. And there are cozy cafes and restaurants to get out of the cold for a while. It's beautiful. If you are lucky you will get a light snow fall - stunning! My only caveat is that there isn't much to 'do', especially in the evening. You would be there just to enjoy the town its self. The decorations will be at their best if you wait until the end of your trip to visit.

I've visited Berchtesgaden and taken the boat trip on Konigsee in late November. It was frosty and cold but absolutely lovely and our lunch in the cozy biergarten at St. Bartholomew is a lasting memory for me.

As other posters have said, Munich's Christmas market is great and you could spend a full day exploring it and the decorated shop windows. I also like Nuremberg's Christmas Market, although it is more crowded, but my weakness is Nuremberger Lebkuchen (gingerbread cookies) at Christmas time - you can get them at most of the Christmas markets and stores (even here in North America) but it just feels right to get them in Nuremberg.

Regensburg is our favorite combination of Christmas Market and town. There are a couple markets; the best is at the Thurn and Taxis Palace.

http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Advent-2010/Thurn-and-Taxis-Palace-Market/15030947_4WtqMc

Regensburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its medieval buildings. It is a joy just to walk its many alley ways and visit its plazas.

http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Advent-2010/Regensburg/15028020_t5NQGm

Our last two Christmas Market trips featured a lot of snow. A car would have been a hindrance. This is a great time of year to visit Germany, especially for the atmosphere in the evening. Remember it gets dark at about 4 in the afternoon.

Rick's opinion is that when you've seen one Christmas market, you've seen them all, however he did write an article about the Nuernberg market. While there, you can also see the more serious WWII sites. Munich has plenty of museums and other indoor activities to round out the experience. Book ahead if you're interested in the BMW factory tour in Munich.

You'll probably want to allow for the limited amount of daylight in that northern latitude that time of the year, since it shortens (compared to some other months) your sight-seeing "day." There are websites that will give you the time of civil twilight (rather than sunset) for specific locations and times.

I have been twice during those times and driven on both trips. A few of my favorite markets were Heidelberg, Salzburg, Paris, Dinkelsbuhl, Rothenburg, Brugges....We visited many more but these were a few that I think not only had a nice market but also a great location. I have to disagree with the RS comment that if you have seen one you have seen them all... granted, many do have some of the same things... food, gifts, crafts, decorations, music,... but each has it's own unique vibe. The small town of Dinkelsbuhl was like visiting the local VFW... it seemed like everyone knew one another, we were definitely the outsiders (who were warmly welcomed) Salzburg has the beautiful city as well as some nice upscale shoppes and two markets that I remember. Heidelberg has a fun market and the castle as a backdrop. You would not mistake the Paris Market for any other. Driving was a slight problem one day when there were some snow flurries on the way to Salzburg and I was tired. Just opted to stop early and spend the night...no problem. Parking in the areas we visited was not a problem... in Heidelberg we stayed a bit out and took the bus in to the market. Salzburg hotel had parking... easy walk to Old Town... I did not get the car till I left Frankfurt as I did stay there a day after landing and also a day on the way out... dropped car then headed to hotel for last night. Beautiful scenery along the drive and on the way to Dinkelsbuhl on the Romantic Road we experienced one of the most beautiful sights ever.... there was this incredible frost all over all of the trees, a slight foggy mist in the air, the sun trying to come through, but the oddest thing was that although the trees were perfectly white the grass was bright green. Of course we stopped to take many photos and just stand outside the car and enjoy this beauty... no other cars around and even my 16 year old grandson was in awe of the scene. I don't buy much stuff at those markets... usually just food, so I don't care if the gift items aren't unique (although some are) As far as it getting dark earlier that is a huge benefit when visiting the markets... part of the beauty is the lights and those are much more impressive in the evening. I am not a night owl so I am happy when I can see the lights of Paris or Heidelberg Castle before 10 at night... You will have a wonderful trip.

"Rick's opinion is that when you've seen one Christmas market, you've seen them all"

Mr. Steves should visit the market at Lindau. Although the merchandise is mostly the similar to what you find elsewhere, the food is regionally unique and the backdrop of the Bodensee and the distant Alps could not be more scenic.

Many of the markets are similar, and most sell the same stuff, but the statement "when you've seen one Christmas market, you've seen them all" sounds like it's coming from someone who hasn't visited very many.

"Rick's opinion is that when you've seen one Christmas market, you've
seen them all"

Miner's parade in the Ore mountains:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4lMI-pDvHo

Starting of the pyramides in the Ore mountains:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jfL9TJjr0s

Rick doesn't have a clue.

I don't think the markets are the same at all, but then again, I try and go to ones that are known for being unique in some way. It could be the setting, or just the atmosphere of the place. Some parts may be similar, like the gift items that are sold, but the rest can be quite different. Each city or town strives to make their market stand out in some special way to attract more visitors.