Sunday, December 13, 2009

Sunday in My City-Weihnachtsmarkt




Germany is famous for their Weihnacht Markets. I love our Christmas Market no matter what time of day or night you go, it's always crowded. It can be 10 am and people are happy enjoying their Gluhwein and Bratwurst, enjoying the season.

We start our tour with the Christmas tree at the Hilton, we went there on Friday evening after doing some Christmas shopping. It was freezing out and one can have only so much Bratwurst! The Hilton's tree was amazing and we were lucky to listen in on a performance of a local choir.








They were singing in English and German, beautiful voices and a nice treat. Note the girl in front has a real candle burning wreath in hair, she was covered in wax by the end. It was hard for me to focus on the music, I wanted to stand by her with a glass of water. One can never be too safe!








Pictures do not do justice how gorgeous this was, there are several side streets in the city lined with Chandeliers. It's an amazing sight!




Lots to do for the whole family, seeing Santa but not sitting on Santa's lap wonder if that is an American custom? Kiddie Rides and yummy sweets and treats!






Shopping of coarse, for authentic German Nutcrackers, Smokers, Pyramids and ornaments galore!




The funniest thing I noticed is large groups of friends young and old all decked out in matching hats, some Santa hats, Christmas tree hats, Antlers, Christmas Cowboy hats but always the group had the same. Usually quite happy and Gluhwein in hand singing away! Nice to see!














I loved seeing this, side by side the display of two religious symbols celebrating the season together!

Hope you enjoyed a tour of my German Christmas Market.
Head over to Unknownmami and travel the world with her and friends.


Happy Holidays and Happy Sunday!

29 comments:

brainella said...

Wow! That looks like so much fun, even with crowds of people. I wonder if people the kids still talk to Santa and tell him what they want though they do not sit on his lap...

Traci said...

As usual, I am jealous of your pics. It looks so wonderful!

I totally would have been ready with a glass of water myself. I wonder if the poor girl's scalp was burned.

Andrea said...

I always love your beautiful displays of the German streets and ways of life. Each one has been astoundingly beautiful. Thank you for sharing with me.
Blessings, andrea

Boozy Tooth said...

Oh how fun and lovely. You are really making me jones for a trip to Germany. I have no desire at all to go to London, only a little to see Paris - but Germany is on my list.

Larry and I toured Italy for our 10th anniversary and want very much to go to Greece and maybe cruise the Greek Isles. Then a Bavarian tour of some kind. Maybe you could host us. {wink}

Thank you for the delightful post. I wish I were there standing next to you with an extra glass of water.

Sonya said...

One of the reasons I love living here is because of the German Christmas markets. I wait all year for this. The people and the tables and the food couldnt be better. Im hopefully heading to one next week!

Love love love these pictures!! Have a wonderful week!

Sneaker Teacher said...

Those bright red hats are a great way to be able to spot your peeps in those big crowds!! They were thinking ahead!

Katie

Matty said...

I always enjoy your tours around your area in Germany. There is so much to learn when you've only lived in America. Having taken German classes in high school and college, I always had an interest. They certainly do go out of their way to decorate. The pictures are great.

Wie Geht's.

Nicole @ WhenDidIBecomeMyMom.com said...

Lovely! Now the candle-wreath-wearing girl - is that an honour or a punishment! Cos I could do without that kinda honour! :-D

But your photos are beautiful and interesting as always.

Erika Jean said...

Looks like fun!! That girl was brave to put a candel in her hair!! yikes. Burned hair smells the WORST.

Unknown said...

Oh Frau! It looks so wonderfully fun! I am a little nervous about those candles too! I hope the headband supporting them is VERY stable. Jimminy Crickets!

I love that groups of people are wearing matching hats. How creative and fun is that?

Deidra said...

It's all so beautiful! I especially loved the chandeliers on the streets. Not so sure about that candle wreath headdress, though. I wonder if they consider it a blessing or a curse to be the one chosen to wear that each year...

Killara girl said...

Beautiful...I have to admit the cold really puts me off. I've been thinking about going into NY to get some Christmas lights, but the cold puts me off. Looks like your night was enjoyable despite it.

I remember going to one of these markets in Vienna. Europe is always beautiful.

Nancy C said...

That is so cool. I would be terrified for candle girl. I'm guessing she didn't use hair spray.

I also love Nutcrackers. They are probably my favorite Christmas decoration.

Suzy said...

That looks like a very cozy and warm Xmas. I wonder if parents let their kids sit on Santa's lap anymore. I'd be afraid that the pervs all apply for that job.

mimbles said...

How wonderful :-) I love the photos of the groups with their matching hats and of all the fabulous decorations.

Never mind glasses of water for the girl with the candles, I want to be beside you with bratwurst and gluhwein!

Liz Mays said...

I would have been worried about the wreath in her hair too! I wonder if it was terribly hot!

It was so festive and fun filled there!

Helen McGinn said...

Oh how lovely. That shop is adorable.

preppyplayer said...

I would have been SO distracted by the wax girl, for sure. I wish I could visit at Christmas time! Some year I will!
Sorry our convo was interupted, talk to you soon :)

Unknown said...

I LOVE Germany at Christmas time! - I didn't realize Germany celebrated Saint Lucia...(girls with burning candle on her head!) : )

Eternal Lizdom said...

I have done no global travel but I'd love to. Today, i've seen pics from Germany, Trinidad, Norway... and when the time comes that I want to take a world tour, I want to go for the entire month of December so I can enjoy the holiday season everywhere!!

Unknown said...

Oh, gorgeous! Wish I were there!

XX
Victoria

DontSayHurry said...

So festive! Thanks for sharing.

forever folding laundry said...

Love that chandelier!
Everything looks so festive. :)

~Keri

Melissa said...

Those are great pictures!! I would be way too nervous to have real candles on my head though.

Unknown said...

wonderfull pictures! I have been 4 times on the Bremen Weihnachtsmarkt already this season, perhaps I'll meet you there one day?

Keia

Unknown said...

I LOVE how you make your pics look like polaroids! You'll have to teach me that, lol!
The 'wax' lady is mighty scary...wonder what makes her want to be the one with THAT hat!?
And i adore the chandelier. How beautiful!

Claudya Martinez said...

We have pay for potties here and they did not work out; they are more like pay for using drugs.

I love the SIMC badge inside of the polaroid. I might have to update the logo.

TBM said...

What a wonderful tour! I loved those red tree hats. I wonder where they got theirs? I didn't see those for sale at the Christmas markets.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful way to spend the holidays! I love your pictures that explain each part of the trip! So perfect! Wishing you a wonderful New Year!