Over the advent period, over one hundred new merchants move into Hamburg’s main square in front of the Town Hall and a tree is set up lit by 1000 candles – just in case you forgot what time of year it is. Bakers from Aachen lay their printen cookies out beside gingerbread from Nuremberg, and Tyrolean woodcarvers set up their stalls next to those selling the finest hand made Christmas decorations the Erzgebirge region can come up with – and that’s their specialty – and the Christmas market shoppers come out in force to let their frosty exhalations mingle with the smell of cinnamon and roasting chestnuts as the squares are lit up and warmed with the gold light of seasonal cheer – and mulled wine.

Alongside these classic handcrafted gifts to fill the more discerning Christmas list there are also inexpensive mass produced gift ideas to keep the kids with their pocket money and those with more limited liquidity, happy. Though what will really make the kids happy is their first sight of Spielzeuggasse – ‘Toy Alley’.

This is Hamburg’s biggest market, so doesn’t skimp on the gluhwein or bratwurst either, but as well as being the biggest it’s also got a reputation for art over commerce which sets it slightly apart from the other big local markets.

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

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Other Hamburg Christmas Markets

Hamburg has a host of markets to go to during the Christmas season, all of which are located in the center of the city. The Hanseatic Christmas Market is located in the pedestrian zone right in front Hamburg's town hall. At this market you will find hand carved Christmas ornaments, and a 60 foot tall Christmas tree. Activities for children include 5 fairytale boat rides on the Alstar Lake where they are entertained by story tellers. Hamburg is a vibrant city that has many things to offer its visitors.

 

Review posted 26th October 2007 by Tony Owusu.

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