The Puppentourist - A Monthly Puppentour™ Newsletter
The Puppentour™ Quarterly Volume III · Issue 1 · Winter 2007/8

GERMANY'S
CHRISTMAS MARKETS:
A FEAST FOR THE SENSES

The earliest record of a Christmas market is Dresden's Striezelmarkt in 1434. In those days, Christmas markets lasted no more than a day or two and tended to confine themselves to the area around the main church. Today almost every town in Germany has a Christmas market and many vie to be unique. Dortmund has the world's biggest Christmas tree, another town boasts the world's biggest candle. Christmas markets in Germany's rural areas are no less attractive than those in larger towns and cities, though some only take place on weekends. Many start before the first Sunday of Advent (around the end of November) and continue through Christmas Eve. Others do not finish until Epiphany on January 6, the twelfth day of Christmas.

Traditional Christmas markets, keeping age-old German customs alive and well, have long proved an irresistible magnet, compelling many to visit Germany during Advent. The markets in Berlin, Nürnberg, Stuttgart, Dresden, Frankfurt, and München draw millions of visitors each year. Irritating canned music and high-tech rides are a rare sight at such markets, where the emphasis is still on traditional fare sold from nostalgically decorated wooden booths to the accompaniment of the dulcet tones of local choirs.

Many Roman Catholic churches are decorated with beautiful Nativity scenes during this festive season. Tours of different nativity scenes are especially popular in Bayern (Bavaria).

While you're visiting, you might enjoy some great Christmas market foods, such as hot fruit punch, Glühwein (hot spiced wine), hot chocolate, Lebkuchen, sausages, roasted chestnuts and almonds, and more.

You can buy everything you need for Christmas here: candles, tree decorations, sweets, biscuits, baking tins, and toys. Special items to look for include glass ornaments, wooden ornaments, wooden toys, and German Christmas pyramids. Over time, each market has developed a character of its own, influenced by its setting, regional traditions, or particular specialties.

In this issue of The Puppentourist, we present three Christmas Markets in towns where you can also visit wonderful doll and toy museums, followed by a listing of just a few of the more than 2,500 Christmas Markets taking place all over Germany from the end of the November through December.

We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthful, and profitable New Year! — Mary B. Lytle, Editor

In this issue:
  • CHRISTMAS MARKET IN NÜRNBERG
    Germany's most famous Christmas Market opens its stalls for visitors from all over the world. . . . more
  • CHRISTMAS MARKET IN COBURG
    Coburg’s Christkind is accompanied by Sankt Nikolaus. . . . more
  • CHRISTMAS MARKET IN ROTHENBURG
    Rothenburg's Reiterlesmarkt is the oldest Christmas Market in Germany. . . . more
  • MORE CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN GERMANY
    Alphabetical listing of 55 cities and towns where you'll also find Christmas markets . . . more
    		•

    CHRISTMAS MARKET IN NÜRNBERG

    Every year, Germany's most famous Christmas Market opens its stalls to visitors from all over the world, right in the middle of the city, in the Hauptmarkt. At 5.30pm, on the Friday before the first Advent Sunday (Nov 30), the Christkind opens her market, reciting the solemn prologue from the gallery of the Frauenkirche. And as every year, by Christmas Eve, more than two million visitors from all over the world will have sampled the delights of the Christmas Market.

    About 180 wooden stalls, festooned with red-and-white cloth, have given the Christmas Market its name of "Little Town from Wood and Cloth". Two-hundred stall holders present their traditional wares: Nürnberg Lebkuchen, fruit loaves, bakery goods and sweets, typical Christmas articles such as Christmas tree angels, crèches, Christmas tree ornaments, candles, toys, and arts and crafts products. Favorite souvenirs include "Nürnberg Plum People", little figures made from prunes. And of course, by way of refreshment, there are always rolls filled with roasted Nürnberg sausages and mugs of mulled wine.

    The market stalls are open Monday through Thursday from 9:30am to 8pm; Friday and Saturday from 9:30am to 10pm; and Sunday from 10:30am to 9pm.

    The entire spectrum of historic toys, from antiquity to the present day, unfolds behind the Renaissance facade of the Spielzeugmuseum Lydia Bayer, very near the Hauptmarkt.. The Spielzeugmuseum holds the largest and most varied toy collection in the world. Changing exhibits feature doll antiquities, wax dolls, wood dolls, china dolls, bisque dolls, celluloid dolls, costume dolls, doll rooms, doll stores, tin toys, toy railroads, wood toys, children's books, and more.

    Not to be missed is the world-famous collection of 17th- and 18th-century dolls’ houses located in a special wing of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum. There are six of them, the most impressive of which represents the house of a wealthy Nürnberg spice merchant. It was intended to educate young girls in the proper maintenance of a large household. Every imaginable domestic item is presented in painstaking detail.

    For further Information:
    Congress- und Tourismus-Zentrale Nürnberg
    +49 911 2336-0
    tourismus@nuernberg.de
    www.tourismus.nuernberg.de


    CHRISTMAS MARKET IN COBURG

    In Coburg, just like in Nürnberg, it is the Christkind who opens the Christmas market in the town’s historic market square. The only difference is that in Coburg, the Christkind is accompanied by Sankt Nikolaus and a host of children carrying glimmering lanterns. Fanfares, the town band, and children's choirs provide the musical interludes for the opening ceremony.

    The Coburg market is particularly known for the wide variety of hand crafted items including Christmas tree decorations, wooden toys, ceramics and porcelain of all kinds. The fragrant aroma of roasted almonds, Lebkuchen, and the famous Coburger Bratwurst pervade the air.

    The market stalls are open from Nov 30 - Dec 23, from 10am to 8pm, Monday through Saturday, and from 11am to 8pm on Sunday.

    More than 900 dolls from the classical doll manufacturing era of Germany, along with a wonderful collection of half-dolls and rare French dolls, are exhibited with period doll furniture, clothing, and accessories in the Coburger Puppenmuseum. Doll-sized Dresden china and fifty miniature rooms will simply take your breath away.

    For further Information:
    Tourismus & Congress Service Coburg
    Herrngasse 4
    96450 Coburg
    Germany
    +49 9561 7418-0
    info@coburg-tourist.de
    www.coburg-tourist.de


    CHRISTMAS MARKET IN ROTHENBURG

    Every year Rothenburg is transformed from a summer paradise into a winter wonderland. The city invites visitors to the enchanting atmosphere of the Christmas Market (Nov 30 through Dec 23), called the Reiterlesmarkt. This market dates back to the 15th century and is one of the oldest in Germany.

    The Reiterlesmarkt has its roots in an old Teutonic legend. In pre-Christian times, the Teutons believed in a Reiter who took care of the souls of the dead. The Teutons feared this mystic figure; but attitudes towards him changed in the Middle Ages. Nowadays, everyone waits eagerly for his arrival because, according to the legend, he was transformed from a wild, crude man into a friendly messenger bringing gifts to people everywhere on earth. A painting of this famous Reiter can be seen on the facade of the Town Hall in Rothenburg. He comes to life with the opning of the market when the town children conduct their candlelight procession. Serenity is a hallmark of this market, where citizens and tourists meet to share a cup of the traditional Glühwein.

    More than 800 dolls produced by French and German makers over a span of 200 years reside in the enchanting Puppen- und Spielzeug Museum. Dolls' houses, doll kitchens, and doll shops are furnished with all the precious things that a complete dolly household requires. Puppet theaters, trains, tin toys, doll carriages, and thousands of charming accessories from the distant past are on display.

    Enter the Deutsches Weihnachtsmuseum through Käthe Wohlfahrt's Weihnachtsdorf, a 16,000-square-foot, year-round Christmas Market that is a feast for the eyes and ears.

    For further Information:
    Rothenburg Tourismus Service
    Marktplatz 1
    91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
    Germany
    +49 9861 404-800
    info@rothenburg.de
    www.rothenburg.de


    MORE CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN GERMANY
    Location
    Dates
    Information
    Aachen Nov 23
    through
    Dec 23    		 Aachen Tourist Information
    +49 241 180 29 60
    info@aachen-tourist.de
    www.aachen-tourist.de
    Augsburg Nov 29
    through
    Dec 24    		 Augsburg Tourist Information
    +49 821 50 20 70
    tourismus@regio-augsburg.de
    www.regio-augsburg.de
    Baden-Baden Nov 26
    through
    Dec 26    		 Baden-Baden Tourist Information
    +49 7221 275 200
    info@baden-baden.com
    www.baden-baden.de
    Bamberg Nov 29
    through
    Dec 23    		 Bamberg Tourist Information
    +49 951 297 6200
    touristinfo@bamberg.info
    www.bamberg.info
    Berlin Nov 26
    through
    Dec 31    		 Berlin Tourism Marketing
    +49 30 250 025
    information@btm.de
    /www.berlin-tourist-information.de
    Bernkastel-Kues Nov 24
    through
    Dec 23    		 Mosel Visitors Center
    +49 6531 4023
    info@bernkastel.de
    www.bernkastel.de
    Bonn Nov 26
    through
    Dec 23    		 Bonn Tourist Information
    +49 228 910 410
    info@bonn-region.de
    www.bonn-region.de
    Braunschweig Nov 28
    through
    Dec 28    		 Braunschweig Tourist Information
    +49 531 470 2040
    touristinfo@braunschweig.de
    www.braunschweig.de
    Bremen Nov 29
    through
    Dec 23    		 Bremen Tourist Information
    +49 421 308 000
    btz@bremen-tourism.de
    www.bremen-tourism.de
    Celle Nov 29
    through
    Dec 27    		 Celle Regional Tourist Office
    +49 5141 1212
    info@tourismus-region-celle.de
    www.tourismus-region-celle.de
    Dinkelsbühl Nov 29
    through
    Dec 23    		 Tourist Service Dinkelsbühl
    +49 9851 90277
    touristik.service@dinkelsbuehl.de
    www.dinkelsbuehl.de
    Dortmund Nov 22
    through
    Dec 23    		 Dortmund Tourist Information
    +49 230 1899 9222
    info@dortmund-tourismus.de
    www.dortmund-tourismus.de
    Dresden Nov 28
    through
    Dec 24    		 Dresden Tourist Information
    +49 351 491 920
    info@www.dresden-tourist.de
    www.dresden-tourist.de
    Düsseldorf Nov 22
    through
    Dec 23    		 Düsseldorf Tourist Information
    +49 211 172 020
    tourist@duesseldorf.de
    www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de
    Erfurt Nov 26
    through
    Dec 22    		 Erfurt Tourist Information
    +49 361 664 00
    service@erfurt-tourist-info.de
    www.erfurt-tourist-info.de
    Essen Nov 22
    through
    Dec 23    		 Essen Marketing
    +49 201 887 2048
    touristikzentrale@essen.de
    www.essen.de
    Frankfurt Nov 30
    through
    Dec 23    		 Frankfurt Tourism and Congress
    +49 69 2123 8800
    Info@tcf.frankfurt.de
    www.frankfurt-tourismus.de
    Freiburg Nov 26
    through
    Dec 23    		 Freiburg Tourism
    +49 761 388 101
    touristik@fwt-online.de
    www.freiburg-online.com
    Goslar Nov 28
    through
    Dec 30    		 Goslar Tourist Information
    +49 5321 780 60
    tourist-information@goslar.de
    www.goslarinfo.de
    Göttingen Nov 28
    through
    Dec 29    		 Göttingen Tourist Information
    +49 5527 499 800
    tourismus@goettingen.de
    www.goettingen-tourismus.de
    Hamburg Nov 26
    through
    Dec 23    		 Hamburg Tourism
    +49 40 30 05 13 00
    info@hamburg-tourism.de
    www.hamburg-tourismus.de
    Hameln Nov 28
    through
    Dec 23    		 Tourist Information Hameln
    +49 5151 957 823
    touristinfo@hameln.de
    www.hameln.com
    Hannover Nov 26
    through
    Dec 22    		 Hannover Tourist Service
    +49 511 1684 9700
    tourismus-service@hannover-stadt.de
    www.hannover.de
    Heidelberg Nov 28
    through
    Dec 22    		 Heidelberg Congress and Tourist Service
    +49 6221 142 211
    info@cvb-heidelberg.de
    www.cvb-heidelberg.de
    Hildesheim Nov 29
    through
    Dec 27    		 Hildesheim Tourist Information
    +49 5121 179 80
    tourist-info@hildesheim.com
    www.hildesheim.de
    Karlsruhe Nov 29
    through
    Dec 23    		 Karlsruhe City Marketing
    +49 721 37 20 53 81
    tourismus@kmkg.de
    www.karlsruhe.de/tourismus
    Kassel Nov 26
    through
    Dec 23    		 Kassel Tourist Information
    +49 561 707 707
    tourist@kassel-tourist.info
    www.kassel-tourist.info
    Kempten Dec 1
    through
    Dec 23    		 Kempten Tourist Information
    +49 831 252 5572
    touristinfo@kempten.de
    www.kempten.de
    Kieve Nov 30
    through
    Dec 9    		 Kleve Marketing
    +49 2821 895 090
    stadtmarketing@kleve.de
    www.kleve.de
    Koblenz Nov 23
    through
    Dec 23    		 Koblenz Tourist Information
    +49 261 31304
    touristik@koblenz.de
    www.koblenz.de
    Köln Nov 26
    through
    Dec 23    		 Köln Tourism Office
    +49 221 2213 0400
    info@koelntourismus.de
    www.koelntourismus.de
    Leipzig Nov 27
    through
    Dec 23    		 Leipzig Tourist Service
    +49 341 710 4265
    info@lts-leipzig.de
    www.lts-leipzig.de
    Ludwigsburg Nov 27
    through
    Dec 23    		 Ludwigsburg Tourist Information
    +49 7141 917 514
    info@lust.ludwigsburg.de
    www.ludwigsburg.de
    Lübeck Nov 28
    through
    Dec 24    		 Lübeck Tourist Information
    +49 1805 882 233
    info@luebeck-tourismus.de
    www.luebeck-tourism.de
    Lüneburg Nov 28
    through
    Dec 23    		 Lüneburg Marketing
    +49 4131 207 6620
    touristik@lueneburg.de
    www.lueneburg.de
    Mannheim Nov 28
    through
    Dec 23    		 Mannheim Tourist Service
    +49 621 101 012
    info@tourist-mannheim.de
    www.tourist-mannheim.de
    Miltenberg Nov 30
    through
    Dec 23    		 Tourist Information Miltenberg
    +49 9371 404119
    christmas@miltenberg.info
    www.miltenberg.info
    Monschau Nov 23
    through
    Dec 23    		 Monschau Tourist Information
    +49 2472 3300
    touristik@monschau.de
    www.monschau.de
    Münster Nov 26
    through
    Dec 23    		 Münster Marketing
    +49 251 492 2710
    tourismus@stadt-muenster.de
    www.muenster.de
    München Nov 30
    through
    Dec 24    		 München Tourist Information
    +49 89 233 0300
    tourismus@muenchen.de
    www.munich-tourist.de
    Oberhausen Nov 30
    through
    Dec 23    		 Tourist Marketing Oberhausen
    +49 208 824 570
    tourist-info@oberhausen.de
    www.oberhausen-tourismus.de
    Osnabrück Nov 26
    through
    Dec 22    		 Osnabrück Tourist & Marketing Service
    +49 541 323 2202
    tourist-information@osnabrueck.de
    www.osnabrueck.de
    Passau Nov 30
    through
    Dec 23    		 Passau Tourist Information
    +49 851 955 980
    tourist-info@passau.de
    www.passau.de
    Potsdam Nov 26
    through
    Dec 23    		 Potsdam Tourist Office
    +49 331 275 580
    information@potsdam.de
    www.potsdam.de
    Regensburg Nov 29
    through
    Dec 23    		 Regensburg Tourist Information
    +49 941 507 4410
    tourismus@regensburg.de
    www.regensburg.de
    Rostock Nov 22
    through
    Dec 27    		 Rostock Tourist Office
    +49 381 381 2222
    touristinfo@rostock.de
    www.rostock.de
    Rüdesheim Nov 26
    through
    Dec 23    		 Rüdesheim Tourist Office
    +49 6722 1 94 33
    touristinfo@t-online.de
    www.ruedesheim.de
    Saarbrücken Nov 22
    through
    Dec 23    		 Saarbrücken Tourist Information
    +49 681 938 090
    info@kontour.de
    www.saarbruecken.de
    Stuttgart Nov 29
    through
    Dec 23    		 Stuttgart Marketing
    +49 711 222 8240
    info@stuttgart-tourist.de
    www.stuttgart-tourist.de
    Trier Nov 26
    through
    Dec 22    		 Trier Tourist Information
    +49 651 978 080
    info@tit.de
    www.trier.de
    Tübingen Dec 14-16
    and
    Dec 22-23    		 Tübingen Tourist Information
    +49 7071 91360
    mail@tuebingen-info.de
    www.tuebingen.de
    Ulm Nov 26
    through
    Dec 22    		 Ulm Tourist Office
    +49 731 161 2830
    info@tourismus.ulm.de
    www.tourismus.ulm.de
    Weimar Nov 26
    through
    Dec 22    		 Weimar Tourist Information
    +49 3643 7450
    tourist-info@weimar.de
    www.weimar.de
    Wiesbaden Nov 27
    through
    Dec 23    		 Wiesbaden Tourist Information
    +49 611 313 112
    tourist-service@wiesbaden.de
    www.wiesbaden.de
    Würzburg Nov 30
    through
    Dec 23    		 Würzburg Tourist Office
    +49 931 372 335
    tourismus@wuerzburg.de
    www.wuerzburg.de