…ist unsere Lieblingsjahreszeit! If there was a record for the highest number of rainy nights spent at a Christmas Market, we would have topped it. It has been a rainy, crappy winter, but filled with the holiday spirit nonetheless! Ultimately, it really only takes one thing to get me in the spirit…Glühwein!

Here are our Weihnachtsmarkt visits for this year:

FREIBURG – We got to see St. Nick this year in Freiburg on Sankt Nikolaus Tag, another day of gift receiving for German kids (lucky!).

We also saw some other characters in Freiburg. You never know who is going to come down from the forest and hit the “big city” for the day! This guy apparently needed a few new pieces for his crèche.

 

ULM – Ulm is a fun and wacky little town. It is Einstein’s birthplace, home to “the narrowest house”, “the crookedest house”, and most importantly, the world’s tallest cathedral steeple. The 161.5m/530ft spire looms over the festive Christmas market.

 

ST. WENDEL – I think the prize for coolest Christmas Market goes to St. Wendel this year. You just can’t top real reindeer and a sleigh!

Did I mention that reindeer are my favorite Christmas “icon”? This face just screams, “It’s time for Christmas people!!”

The family is finally complete.

 

TRIER – Germany’s oldest city blessed us with one of our very few rainless market trips. Instead, a beautiful coating of snow!

We also learned about a new German treat in Trier – Dampfnudeln! Balls of dough filled with your choice of gooey goodness (usually cherries or chocolate), and then topped with more oozing sugary delight!

 

GENGENBACH – Every year, since 1996, the town of Gengenbach turns its Town Hall into the world’s largest Advent calendar! Every single night there is a concert, play, and then a new window is lit. Advent ist Zuhause in Gengenbach!

 

LUDWIGSBURG – The rain just wouldn’t quit in Ludwigsburg, but that never stopped us!

 

ESSLINGEN – Esslingen had a bumpin’ Medieval market, and a great Rathaus (Town Hall).

 

STUTTGART – Our love-hate relationship continues with Stuttgart. This time, the scales pushed towards love! For the Walls, love looks like Langos!

 

That’s all for this season, folks. Did I mention that I love reindeer? Frohe Weihnachten!