The countdown to mulled wine has started already and everyone in SouthWest Germany is looking forward to greeting visitors safely and in the spirit of Christmas and good hygiene. Some Christmas Markets in SouthWest Germany are opening earlier and staying open longer than usual this year as a wonderful come-back after Covid closed the markets last year. So there is more time to enjoy the beautiful environments in a healthy atmosphere.
SouthWest Germany is open to vaccinated travelers and everyone is working together to provide a safe, healthy, and enjoyable experience at the Christmas markets this year. Social distancing guidelines and online tickets, as well as masks in close quarters and plenty of sanitizing stations, are part of the setup along with the traditional gifts and crafts, scents of cinnamon, delicious treats, and hot mulled wine wafting through the air.
We hope you will enjoy this happy news! 360 Magazine is very pleased as well to hear this news! Starting November 25 and running through January 6, Baden-Baden will be hosting its elegant Christmas market. Nestled in the mountains of the Black Forest, the traditional Christmas Market Baden-Baden with its numerous atmospheric attractions will whisk you away to a winter fairytale of a special kind. The scent of mulled wine and gingerbread accompanies you as you stroll past pre-Christmas decorated huts at the beginning of the famous Lichtentaler Allee park and gardens. Let yourself drift across the culinary delights of the Christkindelsmarkt – there are so many treats to discover here. Buy a bag of chestnuts from the sweet wooden locomotive and nibble away; send a wish list to the “Christkind” and put it in the heavenly letterbox; take photos with the magnificent Christmas tree and the illuminated Kurhaus; visit the nativity scene exhibition in the gallery of the Trinkhalle; and marvel at the wide range of products in the shops in the Kurhaus colonnades. There will be regulations for Covid in place that include limiting the number of people at one time and safety distance measures
Three Christmas Markets around Stuttgart Offer Traditional Treats and Tastes
Restarting this year, three Christmas markets close to Stuttgart will be welcoming visitors back. Stretching from Stuttgart’s Old Palace Square to charming Schillerplatz, one of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets will once again present its wares and decorations. You can get a taste of the traditional Swabian yuletide treats by stopping by the “Springerle” stand on the Marketplace. In addition to the wooden molds used for forming them, the anise-flavored specialty biscuits are also on sale here. And another absolute must when strolling through Stuttgart’s Christmas Market is “Hutzelbrot”, a traditional fruit loaf made of sweet, dark dough. The market this year will be open from November 24 to December 30 (one week longer than usual): Monday – Thursday (10 am – 9 pm) Fridays and Saturdays (10 am to 10 pm) and Sundays (11 am to 9 pm). Free entry.
Stuttgart’s Christmas Market
Not more than 20 minutes from Stuttgart, there are elegant stalls at the Ludwigsburg Baroque Christmas Market within a short walking distance to the Ludwigsburg baroque castle. Glove puppets and music boxes, antique and modern Christmas tree decorations are on sale and amazing Swabian specialties delight the palate. Schupfnudeln (potato noodles) and “Holzofendinnede”, a delicacy similar to Tarte flambe baked in a wood-fired oven, and the gingerbread is served fresh from the oven. Open daily from 11 am to 9 pm from November 23 to December 22 and entry is free.
Ludwigsburg’s Christmas Market
At Esslingen’s Medieval and Christmas Market, from the 28th of November to the 22nd of December, merchants in historical costumes peddle their wares just as they did hundreds of years ago. Dyers, felters, blacksmiths, and glassblowers demonstrate traditional crafts, and stilt walkers, jugglers, fire eaters, and minstrels disport themselves around the more than 200 stalls. The concert of medieval music in St. Paul’s Cathedral and the atmospheric backdrop of timbered houses and romantic alleyways are what make Esslingen’s Christmas and Medieval Market feel like a step back into the Middle Ages. Open from November 23 to December 22: Sunday to Thursday (12 pm to 8 pm) and Friday and Saturday (12 to 9 pm).
Nestled in the Black Forest Highlands: The Christmas Market at Ravenna Gorge
The shining Christmas village underneath the high railroad pavilion in the Black Forest Highlands is a very special experience. Nestled in a gorge under a soaring 90-foot high railway viaduct, the small wood huts encircle the visitors and offer regional products and crafts from cuckoo clocks to glass ornaments, all specialties of the Black Forest Highlands.&#a0;It is picturesque and romantic and the Hofgut Sternen hotel offers comfortable rooms, delicious meals, and a delightful store where visitors can ship their wares directly home. There are special offers during Advent time for one or two overnights, including breakfast and a glass of Gluhwein for the Christmas market in the afternoon. They are also taking reservations for hiking by torchlight. The market is open Friday (3 to 9 pm), Saturday (2 to 9 pm), and Sunday (1 to 8 pm) from November 26 to December 19. The entry price is 5 Euros on Friday and 5,50 on the weekend. You can book your tickets online and at the same time reserve your place on the shuttle bus for the Christmas market. Social distancing is observed and masks are required in the shuttle busses.
Royal Winter Magic will Reign at Castle Hohenzollern
The Royal Winter Magic will indulge you with enchanting illuminations and festive decorations in and outside of the castle. Rather than a Christmas market with wares, Castle Hohenzollern is creating a special atmosphere to put you in the Christmas spirit. Stroll along the castle grounds and through the interior and enjoy the Christmas world of the nobles and royals accompanied by Advent music and glamour. Court jester Klaus will create tiny and huge bubbles from the courtyard. Occasionally Santa Claus will drop by. Visitors can reserve a table in the castle restaurant. In the castle garden, you can reserve your favorite little hut to spend a good time with your friends by enjoying mulled wine, gingerbread, and other seasonal snacks. The huts can be reserved by groups of up to 6 persons. Please check the availability of the huts before you book your online tickets. Ticket are available only online and there are a limited number of tickets each day to maintain social distancing. Open from November 25 to January 9 from Sunday to Thursday (3 pm to 8 pm) and Friday and Saturday (3 pm to 9 pm).
Heidelberg Christmas markets re-open with flair and fun!
The Heidelberg Christmas Markets will take place again on all the well-known and popular squares in the Old Town and with all of its well-liked attractions. These include the Gro Fass (Big Barrel) on the Marktplatz (Market Square), the Pyramid or the Springpferdchenkarussel (Horse Carousel) on the University tsplatz (University Square), the “Winter lichen” (Winter Forest) on the Kornmarkt (Grain Square) and, of course, one of the most beautiful ice rinks in Germany, the ice rink on the Karlsplatz (Carl’s Square). The Christmas Market starts on November 18 and ends on December 22, 2021, the Winter Forest will stay open until January 1, 2022, and the ice rink even up until January 9, 2022.
