Classic German Christmas Market (Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt)

Frankfurt,

When considering a visit to Germany, I highly recommend planning for the Christmas season.  In my opinion there is never a more special, sweet and yes “stylish” time to make a visit.   Each major and middle-sized city, particularly those with a more significant Roman Catholic population, has a “Weihnachtsmarkt” or Christmas Market.  The scene is one that will dazzle you and is to be fair repeated in a number or Northern European countries (e.g. Netherlands, Belgium) but I prefer the German ones.

Popular attractions at the market include the Nativity Scene (a crèche or crib), Nussknacker Nutcrackers), Gebrannte Mandeln (candied, toasted almonds), traditional Christmas cookies such as Lebkuchen and Magenbrot (both forms of soft gingerbread), ChriststollenStollen), a sort of egg bread with candied fruit, Bratwurst, and for many visitors one of the highlights of the market: Glühwein, hot mulled wine (with or without a shot of brandy), or Eierpunsch (an egg-based warm alcoholic drink).

 

Both help stave off the cold winter air that sometimes dips below freezing. Many other handmade items, toys, books, Christmas tree decorations and ornaments (and in recent years less useful gadgets) can be found at a “Christkindlmarkt” Christ Child Market.

 

Apparently Frankfurt's market is so popular, the British have now copied it in Birmingham!

 

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