CHRISTMAS MARKETS – FRANKFURT RHINE-MAIN
Holiday Market Spirit of Advent
Christmas Markets (Weinachtsmarkts) of mulled wine and gingerbread aromas, crafts and gifts have a long tradition in Germany and the central region surrounding where the Rhine and Main rivers join is no exception. Frankfurt is known as Germany’s financial center, but its revitalized historic medieval market square and the river towns within easy reach feature some of the most romantic old town centers, boasting many romantic Christmas Markets held at years end. The specific dates change slightly from year to year, but German Christmas markets general open the last week of November and run to a day or two before the holiday.
Frankfurt Christmas Market
Due to the sheer number of visitors and its scale the Frankfurt Weinachtsmarkt is one of the largest of the holiday festival markets in Germany. A giant Christmas Tree fills the market square as a landmark visible from a distance, announcing the spirit of Christmas. The medieval Rathaus town hall and the half-timbered houses at Römerberg Square, backed by the city’s modern skyline makes for an impressively contrasted backdrop for one of the most tradition-steeped Christmas markets in Germany, and just a few blocks from the main shopping street. To learn more about the history of the Christmas market, daily guided tours are offered through the market.
Wiesbaden - Twinkling Star Market
Framed by its traditional four lily gates decorated with stars, Wiesbaden, the imperial spa town just across the Main River from Frankfurt hosts the one of the marvels of the holidays the “Twinkling Star‟ Market set at the Schlossplatz. In addition to choirs, concerts and fantasy figures, ice skating fun in front of the Hessian State Theater makes Christmas cheer a unique experience. Wiesbaden
Christmas Market Mainz
The great historic cultural center city of Mainz also offers its visitors a very special enchantment during holiday season. Both the festively decorated alleys of the old town surrounding the glorious Romanesque Cathedral and the Christmas market at the market square put visitors guests in the Christmas mood. Life-sized nativity figures and the 11-meter high pyramid are the landmarks of the Mainz Christmas market.
Mainz
Rüdesheim Christmas Market of Nations
During the Advent season leading to the Yule holiday, Rüdesheim, in the midst of the Rhine wine growing region of the Rheingau is known for its “Christmas Market of Nations” in the historic and beautiful old quarter of half-wood houses. In addition to festively decorated Christmas stalls in which mulled wine and delicacies from the region and throughout the world can be enjoyed, the Rüdesheim Christmas market also features the largest nativity scene in Germany. And don’t forget to try out the traditional liquor drink for the holidays, the Rüdesheimer Coffee.
Darmstadt Christmas Market
At the ancient university town of Darmstadt, just to the south of Frankfurt, in addition to the traditional Christmas Market, during the second and third weekends of Advent the handicrafts market in the arcades of the Darmstadt Castle courtyard also features stalls from Darmstadt’s sister cities. While a diverse program of Christmas poems and holiday carol music is provided on stage, children will be thrilled to discover the Lego Lounge in the Central Rail Station. Darmstadt
Bad Homburg Christmas Market
Bad Homburg, along the Grimm Fairy Tale Road, calls itself the “Christmas City‟, fascinating residents and visitors alike with the “Romantic Christmas Market” at the Castle of the Landgraves as well as its holiday train and the Christmas forest at the Kurhaus. Mainly on weekends. Bad Homberg
Hanau Christmas Market
At the feet of the famous Brothers Grimm statue in front of the historic old town hall which marks the start of the fairy story trail, the Hanau Christmas Market features artists in its stalls providing a special Christmas flair. Hanau boasts of the largest Advent calendar in the Hesse region and the program on the Christmas stage round off the Christmas market with a nice ambience.
Aschaffenburg Christmas Market
Festively decorated Christmas stalls entice you to spend time at the Aschaffenburg Christmas Market held in front of the picturesque backdrop of the breathtaking Johannisburg Castle, former home of the Bishops with its four towers standing over the River Main. A distinctively Franconian-style nativity scene with life-sized wooden figures is the centerpiece of the Christmas market and a comprehensive cultural entertainment program taking place every evening. Aschaffenberg
Smaller Towns Advent to Christmas
In some of the smaller towns and villages, the markets last for about 2 weeks or are held on weekends. In the historic old town of Gelnhausen the Christmas market takes place every year before the backdrop of half-timbered houses. A variety of guided discovery tours are offered. With the motto of “Heavenly Christmas” living figures of the holiday roam about town. The district of Limburg-Weilburg offers a few nice little Christmas markets. On the first and second weekend of December there is a Christmas village in front of the Hadamar Castle and just before Christmas the Limburg old town shines with its market. In Weilburg, an historic Christmas market with period costumed craftsmen, shopkeepers and hucksters takes place within the castle walls. The Idstein old town entices with reflective Christmas market on the first weekend of Advent in half-timbered surroundings with a “living nativity”. Hot mead over an open fire, minstrels and fire-breathers ensure a Christmas atmosphere with historical ambience in Ronneburg. The historic rural Christmas market in Hessenpark near Neu-Anspach draws numerous visitors every year to the central Hessian open-air museum in the Taunus hills. And near the ancint Roman Fort of Saalburg over 100 exhibitors put up their wooden Christmas stalls on the grounds of the park and sell gift items. © Bargain
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See Also:
BLACK FOREST CHRISTMAS MARKETS
CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN MARTIN LUTHER COUNTRY
RHEINGAU WINE MUSEUM - RÜDESHEIM
RHINE & MOSEL WINE FESTIVALS BY RAIL
HOTEL JAGDSCHLOSS KRANICHSTEIN
