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When it comes to celebrating the winter holidays, there’s no place like a city. The lights, the music, the shops, the energy – all of it conspires to bring joy to a season that can sometimes make the best among us feel a little cynical. Good news: Germany does the holiday season up right, especially in the country’s five largest cities!
Berlin
With more than 3.5 million people, Berlin is by far the largest city in Germany. As the capital, it’s one of the most historic and culturally vibrant places in the world, packed with outstanding museums, shops, concert venues, clubs and restaurants.
Berlin is also wonderfully German when it comes to Christmas. There are over 100 (yes, you read that correctly) Christmas markets in the city. In mid-December, a visitor can hardly walk the streets without running into one. You’ll find them in market squares, in front of palaces, near the City Hall, and in many more spots, as well.
The lights are magic, too. One of the best family-friendly winter holiday experiences in Germany can be found at the Berlin Zoo. Between mid-November and mid-January, Europe’s largest zoo will be wildly (pun intended) illuminated. It’s a must-see if you’re traveling with children, and even if you’re not.
For more information, visit: https://www.berlin.de/en/events/christmas/
Hamburg
Hamburg is magical during the month of December. Since it sits right on the River Elbe and isn’t far from the North Sea, visitors might almost believe they were in a big American coastal city.
But Hamburg definitely has its own, non-American, vibe. It offers dozens of Christmas markets. Many of them are very, well, Hamburgian. The rocking Santa Pauli market offers an adults-only, gluhwein-infused, late night big city party that is an absolute blast.
For families looking to experience Hamburg’s flair, the city offers a maritime Christmas market, which takes place on an urban island between the Alster and Elbe rivers. Ships are anchored nearby, and the market offers an ice skating rink. Hamburg also has a Scandinavian Christmas market, a Christmas market for dogs, and Christmas parades.
For more information, visit: https://www.hamburg.com/events/christmas/
Munich
Munich is a straight-up beautiful city. The Marienplatz, Munich’s main square, is a must-visit at any time of the year. During the winter holiday season, the Marienplatz is next-level. The lights are incredible. In fact, if you had to pick one big-city Christmas market to visit, this might just be it – simply because it’s so beautiful. This year, the Marienplatz Christmas market runs from Nov. 27 to Dec. 24.
Munich also offers loads of other fun things to do. The medieval Christmas market will transport you back in time. It’s like a much more interesting, much more holiday-oriented version of the Renaissance Fair. Visitors will find fests, markets, and New Year’s celebrations all over the city. And, of course, there will be lights.
For more information, visit: https://www.munich.travel/en/topics/markets-festivals/christmas-markets
Cologne
For those of us who have spent a fair amount of time in the KMC, Cologne is well known as a winter holiday destination. The mad, often jam-packed, always wonderful Christmas market outside the massive cathedral (held this year from Nov. 23-Dec. 23) is less than three hours away by car, and the trip is well worth it.
A slightly lesser-known fact is that Cologne also has a ton of other fun things to do that don’t involve the cathedral Christmas market. You can take an “Advent”-themed Rhein cruise (highly recommended) or wander the city and stumble into another Christmas market (there are dozens). Cologne also has a fantastic New Year’s market that runs from Dec. 26 to Jan. 7.
For more information, visit: https://www.cologne-tourism.com/see-experience/christmas/
Frankfurt
Even though it is the smallest of Germany’s largest cities, Frankfurt still offers an amazing holiday season. The Frankfurt Christmas market is large, sprawling and exceptional. Located downtown near the river, the market is easily accessible from Kaiserslautern (1.5 hours away), especially by public transportation.
Where Frankfurt shines, though, is in celebrating the New Year. The fireworks display over the River Main is outstanding (especially if you find a good spot close to the water). You will rarely feel more alive than when you’re ringing in the New Year with 700,000 of your closest friends in this beautiful, illuminated German river city.
For more information, visit: https://www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/en/Discover-Experience/Festivals-Events/frankfurt-christmas-market
