Christmas Markets photos

There’s something magical about being in Germany for Christmas, and a lot of that comes down to the markets. You can find traditional gifts at the multitude of stalls, drink lovely Glühwein or Kinderpunsch (children's punch) and munch delicious snacks like Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and Bratwurst.

Millions of Christmasey bulbs light up Munich (the days are short in December). When it snows, as it often does, the magic is intensified. But the best part of it is simply being there, enjoying the atmosphere, spending time with friends while sharing a joke and reflecting on the year that’s just past.
Here are some photos taken around Munich’s Christmas Markets and shared on Flickr. I hope they give you a glimpse into what it’s like to be there yourself.
Merry Christmas!

This scary looking demon is part of the "Krampus run" that takes place on
Munich’s Marienplatz. Pic:  Traveller_40

Here’s another Krampus-monster at the Munich Christmas Markets. Pic:  Traveller_40

This Krampus has found himself in the Fischbrunnen (Fish Fountain) on the Marienplatz during Christmas market time. Pic:  Traveller_40

Deck the halls! A visitor to one of Munich’s Christmas markets has a look at some festive decorations. Pic: ChadBriggs

Eat, drink, and be jolly. A visitor tucks in to a drink a bratwurst at a Munich Christmas
Market. Pic:   winter d'adulescent

A visitor finds himself in a winter wonderland at the Christmas market on Munich’s Marienplatz. It doesn’t snow in Munich in December every year, but when it does, it means magic.
Pic:  crafterm

Baubles, bangles and beads on display at a Munich outdoor market during Christmas time.
Pic:   ...olli...

These are called Fruchtkranz, fruit wreaths you can use as decorations
during December. Pic:  mysterymoor

Winter fun in Munich! Pic:  AIBakker

Visitors to a Christmas Market in Munich get a drink from a Glühwein stand.
Pic:  AIBakker

This is a "Christmas Pyramid". They come in all different sizes and are often found at Christmas markets in Germany. Some of them even have a Glühwein stand directly underneath. Pic:  ...olli...

In Germany the 6th of December is Nikolaustag commemorating St. Nicholas. Here’s a rather angry looking Nick at a Munich Christmas Market – the photographer of this pic must have been naughty that year! Pic:  Scott M

A visitor has a photo taken with St Nicholas’ bodyguard at a Munich Christmas Market.
Pic: Scott M

A quartet of men in Tyrolean costumes play Alpenhorn (Alp horns) at Munich’s
Winter Tollwood Christmas market. Pic: PilotGirl

Click forward to learn more about German Christmas traditions...