Events in Bavaria

Christmas Markets

German Christmas markets tend to be half food and drink stalls and half present/decoration stalls. They are best in the late afternoon/evening when all the lights are on. For Germans, they are more a social occasion then a shopping opportunity, especially the local ones. (Czech Christmas Markets are at the end of the list)

We have given the markets we have visited a 'star' rating based on how pretty they were and how much we enjoyed our visit.

Click here to see our suggestions for Christmas Market Breaks based in our apartments in Bayerisch Eisenstein.

Starting with the daily markets in the cities:

MUNICH (2 hours drive) - carfree by train

25th November-24th December 2011

The main Christmas market in Munich  is on the Marienplatz in the centre but there are at least a dozen different markets throughout the city.

Monday-Friday 10.00-20.30, Saturday 09.00-20.30, Sunday 10.00-19.30 (Christmas Eve 10.00-14.00)

PASSAU (1 hour drive) - carfree by train
25th November - 23rd December 2011

Monday-Thursday 10.00-20.00, Friday-Saturday 10.00-21.00 Sunday 11.30-20.00
On the square in front of the cathedral in the middle of the romantic old town. Lovely setting, varied stalls. Performances by musicians every day.
Star rating: ****

REGENSBURG (1 hour 30 minutes drive)- carfree by train
24th November - 23rd December 2011, open Sunday-Wednesday 10.00-20.00, Thursday to Saturday 10.00-21.00

3 Christmas Markets:

Neupfarrplatz:
A 400 year tradition of Christmas markets here. Many local specialities, including berry Gluehweins from the Bavarian Forest and apple gluehwein from the Oberpfalz, local sausages (including 'half metre' sausage in a baguette!), Lebkuchen, toasted almonds, roasted chestnuts and more.
Star rating: ***

Haidplatz: Lucrezia Arts & Crafts Market

Thurn & Taxis chateau Medieval style market
Many craftsmen demonstrating their skills and a wide range of food and drink, including a hog roast. One of our favourities, very different from any other we have been to. Less commercial than the main market. 24th November - 23rd December 2011 Sunday-Wednesday 12.00-22.00, Thursday-Saturday 12.00-23.00 (23rd December open until midnight). Entrance costs (2009) €3.50-5.50, children 6-16 €1, under 6 free
Star rating: *****

NUERNBERG (2 hours drive) - car free by train
26th November - 24th December 2011

Monday-Thursday 09.30-20.00, Friday-Saturday 09.30-22.00 Sunday 10.30-20.00 (Christmas Eve 09.30-14.00)
The most famous Christmas market of all and one of the oldest. Plastic garlands and tapes playing continuous Christmas music are banned! 200 stalls selling traditional gifts, food and drink.
We rate this one of the very best. Very high quality stalls. However, more stalls also means more repetition rather than a wider selection. The main market is in the Hauptmarkt. An added bonus is a ride on a horse drawn post coach, painted bright yellow. The short ride costs €3 per adult and €1.50 per child.
Star rating: *****

DEGGENDORF (40 minutes drive) - carfree by train
25th November - 23rd December 2011, open daily Mon/Tues/Wed/Sat 10.30-20.00, Thurs/Fri 10.30-21.00, Sunday 12.00-20.00.
Apparently voted one of the 10 most beautiful markets in Germany. We thought it was very poor and not worth bothering with. Deggendorf itself has a very pretty central area and good shopping and is worth a visit.
Star rating: -

VILSHOFEN FLOATING CHRISTMAS MARKET ON THE DANUBE - carfree by train

25-27th November, 2nd-4th December, 9-11th December

Also daily Christmas markets in Cham, Straubing, Grafenau (4th - 20th)

Local weekend and 1 day markets:

1st weekend in Advent:

Ruhmannsfelden (Sunday only)

Bayerisch Eisenstein - advent market - Saturday only.

2nd weekend in Advent:

Zwiesel - car free by train
Stalls are set around the local church. An excellent selection of things to buy and a wider selection of food than at Nuernberg.
Star rating: ****

Schweinhuett - forest Christmas market with the huts in amongst the trees - carfree by train

Teisnach

Schoenberg

Viechtach

3rd weekend in Advent:

Regen - car free by train. Very prettily set out on the market place in the old town. Wide range of things to buy, eat and drink.
Star rating: ****

Schweinhuett - forest Christmas market with the huts in amongst the trees. Car free by train.

Bodenmais - car free by train

Frauenau - Saturday only, in front of the glass museum. Nikolaus visits at 16.00 with presents for the children. Car free by train

4th weekend in Advent:

Bayerisch Eisenstein
5th International Christmas Market on 4th Advent Sunday - 18th December 2011. 12.00-19.00

Star rating: *****

www.weihnachtsmarkt-eisenstein.de

In addition, there is Joska Crystal in Bodenmais (the glassworks on the bypass, not the shop in the town centre). They have an all year Christmas shop but also many extra displays and events for the Christmas season: Christmas tree made out of wineglasses, Christmas trees around the world, handpainting of glass Christmas tree balls, Christmas biscuits, free glass blowing for children. Open every day including Christmas Day, at least 10.00-16.00 (closes 14.00 on Christmas Eve). Go by train – about 10 minutes walk from Bodenmais station. Main Christmas season is 2nd November to 24th December, with free Stollen at 13.00 on Tuesdays and Thursday and free children's punch. Car free by train.

CZECH REPUBLIC

Prague
Christmas Markets 27th November 2010 - 2nd January 2011 Monday - Friday 09.00-19.00 Saturday/Sunday 09.00-20.00.
Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square also Havelske Trziste and Republicky Namesti (all within 10 minutes walk of each other). Includes a mini zoo, crib and Christmas tree from the Sumava mountains (Bohemian Forest) and choirs from around the world singing carols on the old town square.

Other events:

Mikulas Day (St. Nicholas)
5th December from 16.00

Old Town Square
Christmas Eve Mass
24th December 22.00

Old Town Square
New Year's Eve
31st December midnight
Fireworks at the Old Town Square and Charles Bridge

Plzen - car free by train
Christmas Market 28th November - 23rd December 2011 Mainly home made crafts and Bohemian food and drink. Less commercial than most German markets.

Klatovy - car free by train

Christmas Craft Market  20th - 21st December 2010

Cesky Krumlov
Christmas Market 28th November 2010 - 6th January 2011

Festivals | Music | Sporting Events | Christmas Markets

Contact us

Bavarian Forest Holidays
Hans-Watzlik-Strasse 8
94252 Bayerisch Eisenstein
Germany
Tel. (Germany) +49 (0)9925 90 32 04 (UK) 07976 403434
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