Christmas Markets in July
- Goose
- Jun 26, 2018
- 4 min read
It’s not quite Christmas in July yet but I’m definitely getting that itch. I’m wishing I could be back in small German town strolling through the Christmas markets sipping on glühwein. I have not seen halls quite as decked with boughs of holly as those of the Deutschland Christmas markets. I totally get that the holiday itself is not for everyone but just the environment alone is enough to make anyone feel jolly—either that or it’s all the glühwein, which you will need paired with a decent coat because it gets pretty chilly! Let me tell you about the four towns that I went to.
Würzburg
My first stop was Würzburg, Germany in Bavaria. Würzburg’s market had a bigger city feel to it. Shops and stands were placed further apart but then there was the larger architecture which included the Gothic Marienkapelle Church and Würzburg Cathedral. I still enjoyed it, was able to shop, and indulge, but I was really searching for the quaint town feel.
Rothenburg
That same day we went down to Rothenburg, which was only 45 minutes away from Würzburg. Now, if you are wanting that true Bavarian, almost gingerbread type of architecture, this is definitely the place for you. Aesthetically, it was probably my favorite little city for Christmas markets. I loved the narrow, winding roads of cobblestone and the fact that it is a well-preserved medieval town. I love that sense of stepping into a different era. And for the Harry Potter fans out there, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1 and 2, were filmed here.
Besides that, there is plenty of shopping to do and plenty of glühwein to be drank. And in case you aren’t familiar with the beverage, glühwein, literally “glow wine” because of how you feel after drinking some, is German mulled wine. Although wine is generally an acquired taste, mulled wine is a little easier to drink in my opinion. There are many variations, so it’s just about what you fancy. It’s served warm and flavored with sugar, spices, and fruits. I had red mulled wine, white, apple, cinnamon, you name it. And when the temperature starts dropping, it is more than welcome to warm the body. Oh and did I mention you can purchase the adorable mugs that it is served in? Perfect souvenirs to bring home and use to serve future guests your homemade glühwein! https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-german-gluhwein-238371
The shopping… The shopping is so eclectic and fun. There are a variety of goods available to purchase from hand-carved wooden figurines to rare cheeses and salamis. I pretty much got all my Christmas shopping done on this trip if you couldn’t already tell. I brought Jake home at least four different drinking utensils to include an ale horn. But if you’re on the hunt for a Christmas ornament to bring home, look no further than Käthe Wohlfahrt. This Christmas decoration store brings customers from all over the world to shop the 30,000+ traditional German decorations they host. https://kaethe-wohlfahrt.com/index.php?lang=1
Rüdesheim
The next stop was Rüdesheim, an older wine-making town on the Rhine River. Very much like Rothenburg, this too is an older city, and when you get to the heart of it, you will find many historical buildings, restaurants, and shops. One of the main streets is called Drosselgasse. We walked down this street lined with stands of trinkets and more Christmas trees than I’ve ever seen in one confined area. There is also an open plaza area where you can find all types of food. You’ll know when you make it to the plaza because there are tons of trees that look like the Whomping Willows (some more Harry Potter for you). Can you guess what else we did there? We ate, we drank, we shopped. But hey, no complaints from me. I had this delicious stew in a bread bowl and I NEEDED it. Maybe it was because of being so close to the large river but it seemed like a wet cold that sunk down into your bones. So I can’t stress enough to check the weather beforehand and dress appropriately! Another gluhwein, please?
Kaiserslautern
And the last stop was in Kaiserslautern where my cousin lives. My friends had just moved to Germany about a week before I had gotten there so they came to see me. Kaiserslautern’s Christmas market isn’t anything to write home about and it is kind of small but it serves its purpose. We met up to eat some schinkenspeck flatbreads (bacon in German, it’s just more fun to say), crêpes with Nutella, and of course, more gluhwein.
Spice up your holiday plans this year and go visit a market! They can be found is so many more countries than Germany, so if you have a dream destination, check if they do, and kill two birds with one stone… Alright I’ve gone on long enough. As always, if you have any questions or comments please feel free to share them! Hope you enjoyed!! Until the next one folks, bis später.
Goose, out.
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