Christmas Markets
Within reach of Bayerisch Eisenstein are some of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany.
German Christmas markets tend to be half food and drink stalls and half present/decoration stalls. They are best in the late afternoon/evening when all the lights are on. For Germans, they are more a social occasion then a shopping opportunity, especially the local ones. (Czech Christmas Markets are at the end of the list)
We have given the markets we have visited a 'star' rating based on how pretty they were and how much we enjoyed our visit.
Starting with the daily markets in the cities, also the furthest away:
MUNICH (2 hours drive)
27th November-24th December 2009
Monday-Friday 10.00-20.30, Saturday 09.00-20.30, Sunday 10.00-19.30 (Christmas Eve 10.00-14.00)
Passau Christmas Market
PASSAU (1 hour drive)
27th November - 23rd December 2009.
Monday-Thursday 10.00-20.00, Friday-Saturday 10.00-21.00 Sunday 11.30-20.00
On the square in front of the cathedral in the middle of the romantic old town. Lovely setting, varied stalls. Performances by musicians every day.
Star rating: ****
REGENSBURG (1 hour 30 minutes drive)
26th November - 23rd December 2009, open daily 10.00-20.00
3 Christmas Markets:
Neupfarrplatz:
A 400 year tradition of Christmas markets here. Many local specialities, including berry Gluehweins from the Bavarian Forest and apple gluehwein from the Oberpfalz, local sausages (including 'half meter' sausage in a baguette!), Lebkuchen, toasted almonds, roasted chestnuts and more.
Star rating: ***
Haidplatz: Lucrezia Arts & Crafts Market
Thurn & Taxis chateau Medieval style market
Many craftsmen demonstrating their skills and a wide range of food and drink, including a hog roast. One of our favourities, very different from any other we have been to. Less commercial than the main market. 27th November - 23rd December 2009 Monday-Wednesday 12.00-22.00, Thursday-Saturday 12.00-23.00m Sunday 10.00-22.00 Entrance costs €3.50-5.50, children 6-16 €1, under 6 free
Star rating: *****
Nuernberg Christmas Market
NUERNBERG (2 hours drive)
27th November - 24th December 2008
Monday-Thursday 09.30-20.00, Friday-Saturday 09.30-22.00 Sunday 10.30-20.00 (Christmas Eve 09.30-14.00)
The most famous Christmas market of all and one of the oldest. Plastic garlands and tapes playing continuous Christmas music are banned! 200 stalls selling traditional gifts, food and drink.
We rate this one of the very best. Very high quality stalls. However, more stalls also means more repetition rather than a wider selection. The main market is in the Hauptmarkt. In a smaller area to one side is a market with stalls representing all of Nuernberg's twin towns, of which there are many including 2 in Italy, plus Macedonia, USA, China, Glasgow and many more. An added bonus is a ride on a horse drawn post coach, painted bright yellow. The short ride costs €3 per adult and €1.50 per child.
Star rating: *****
DEGGENDORF (40 minutes drive)
27th November - 23rd December, open daily 10.30-20.00/Sundays 12.00-20.00
Apparently voted one of the 10 most beautiful markets in Germany. We thought it was very poor and not worth bothering with. Deggendorf itself has a very pretty central area and good shopping and is worth a visit.
Star rating: -
SCHLOSS EGG, BERNRIED (near Deggendorf)
27th November - 20th December. Medieval Christmas Market at the castle. Fridays 16.00-21.00, Saturdays/Sundays 14.00 - 21.00
Also daily Christmas markets in Cham, Straubing, Grafenau (4th - 20th)
Local weekend and 1 day markets:
1st weekend in Advent:
Ruhmannsfelden (Sunday only)
Bayerisch Eisenstein - advent market - Saturday only.
2nd weekend in Advent:
Zwiesel
Stalls are set around the local church. An excellent selection of things to buy and a wider selection of food than at Nuernberg.
Star rating: ****
Schweinhuett - forest Christmas market with the huts in amongst the trees
Teisnach
Schoenberg
Viechtach
3rd weekend in Advent:
Regen
Very prettily set out on the market place in the old town. Wide range of things to buy, eat and drink.
Star rating: ****
Schweinhuett - forest Christmas market with the huts in amongst the trees
Bodenmais
A much larger event from 2009.
Star rating:
Frauenau - Saturday only, in front of the glass museum. Nikolaus visits at 16.00 with presents for the children.
4th weekend in Advent:
Bayerisch Eisenstein International Christmas Market
Bayerisch Eisenstein
3rd International Christmas Market on 4th Advent Sunday - 20th December 2009. 12.00-19.00
Star rating: *****
www.weihnachtsmarkt-eisenstein.de
In addition, there is Joska Crystal in Bodenmais (the glassworks on the bypass, not the shop in the town centre). They have an all year Christmas shop but also many extra displays and events for the Christmas season: Christmas tree made out of wineglasses, Christmas trees around the world, handpainting of glass Christmas tree balls, Christmas biscuits, free glass blowing for children. Open every day including Christmas Day, at least 10.00-16.00 (closes 14.00 on Christmas Eve). Go by train – about 10 minutes walk from Bodenmais station.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Prague
Christmas Markets 29th November 2009 -1st January 2010 09.00-19.00
Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square.
Includes a mini zoo, crib and Christmas tree from the Sumava mountains (Bohemian Forest) and choirs from around the world singing carols on the old town square.
Other events:
Mikulas Day (St. Nicholas)
5th December from 16.00
Old Town Square
Christmas Eve Mass
24th December 22.00
Old Town Square
New Year's Eve
31st December midnight
Fireworks at the Old Town Square and Charles Bridge
Plzen
Christmas Market 8th - 23rd December
2008 Mainly home made crafts and Bohemian food and drink. Less commercial than most German markets.
Klatovy
Christmas Craft Market from 14.00 21st - 17.00 23rd December 2009
Ceske Budejovice
Old Bohemian Christmas Market 18th December 2008
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Christmas Markets
Contact us
Bavarian Forest Holidays
Hans-Watzlik-Strasse 8
94252 Bayerisch Eisenstein
Germany
Tel. (Germany) +49 (0)9925 90 32 04 (UK) 07976 403434
Email:
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