5 excursion destinations in Germany in the run-up to Christmas
Christmas is quickly approaching, and cities across Germany are preparing for the Advent season. Christmas market stalls have been set up. The streets have been brightly lit, and fairy lights and colorful decorations have been placed throughout the city to create a cozy atmosphere. There are many great activities and events for the entire family all over Germany in the run-up to Christmas. Here are the five pre-Christmas excursion destinations for families that are sure to put you in the holiday spirit.
A trip to the Christmas market is as much a part of the holiday season as snowflakes are. Many German cities shine with lights in November, almost unnoticed. The pedestrian zones shine with festively decorated Christmas market stalls.
Handicrafts and baking on the Jungfernstieg’s fairytale ships in Hamburg
The Hamburg fairytale ships on the Binnenalster are simply part of the Hanseatic city’s traditional Christmas offerings. They are an absolute highlight during the holiday season. Parents can do their Christmas shopping or sip a hot mulled wine while their children tinker and bake to their hearts’ content in the magical ships. Each of the five festively decorated ships has its program, which is tailored to the needs of the children.
Storytellers, Christmas witches, fairies, elves, and magicians make children’s dreams come true on the Theaterschiff Bredenbek. The Caféschiff Susebek is the ideal place to refuel with coffee, cake, and a variety of Christmas treats.
On the Amersbek dream ship, children can immerse themselves in the realm of fantasy, browse the book corner, and use face painting to transform themselves into dangerous lions, butterflies, and flower fairies. On the baking ships Saselbek and Siebeck, things heat up. Children as young as three can bake and decorate their own Christmas cookies here. Each children can take their baking apron home and bake with them when the work is finished.
Winter dream in Phantasialand near Cologne
There is a distinct winter atmosphere in Phantasialand. Amusement parks are popular amongst people of all ages. So, why not go to an amusement park during the winter? The winter season has arrived at Phantasialand in Brühl, near Cologne. At dusk, an enchanting glow transforms the various themed areas into wonderful winter worlds full of fascination and magic. The smell of cookies in the air, the snowflakes in the air, everything glows and flashes. Visitors do laps on runners on the massive ice rink in front of a dreamlike fairytale backdrop. The gleaming rides provide the necessary thrill, and the spectacular shows “The Magic Rose – Spirit of Light” and “Tiempo de Fuego” also provide goosebumps. The day concludes with magical fireworks that illuminate the night sky. The day concludes with magical fireworks that illuminate the night sky.
A ride on the ChristkindlTram and the Krampus run in Munich is pure nostalgia
When it’s cold outside and your legs hurt after a shopping spree, a ride on the ChristkindlTram is a must before Christmas. The ChristkindlTram departs every 30 minutes from Sendlinger Tor on its contemplative round trip through Munich city center. On a relaxed ride equipped with Nuremberg gingerbread and mulled wine, parents can listen to Christmas music and get an overview of all the important hotspots in Munich city center. There is also children’s entertainment. Magicians and balloon artists make children’s eyes sparkle.
After the trip, you can visit the Christmas market around Marienplatz if you want to experience the pre-Christmas period in a completely different way. Creepy figures in archaic masks are up to mischief here and scare passers-by during the Krampus run. While Santa Claus or the Christ Child prefers to ignore misbehaving children, Krampus prefers to rattle his chains terrifyingly to gain the necessary respect. The Krampus Run is a 500-year-old Alpine tradition that is especially popular among the younger generation.
On Advent Sundays, the shaggy fellows in their eerie fur costumes are up to no good at the Christkindl market around Marienplatz. The Sundays in Advent are also the best days for a ride on the ChristkindlTram.
Advent in the courtyards of Quedlinburg’s Advent city
Advent is in the courtyards of Quedlinburg when the scent of freshly roasted almonds fills the air and the narrow streets of the UNESCO World Heritage Quedlinburg are lovingly decorated and sparkling. It is the highlight of the Advent season that is unique to Germany. More than twenty of Quedlinburg’s most beautiful inner courtyards reveal what lies behind their thick walls on the first, second, and third weekends of Advent. Visitors can pick up small treasures and rarities for Christmas on the historic pavement. Or they can make them themselves and purchase them as Christmas gifts.
Magic lights in the Christmas Garden in Berlin
Families with children have so many options in Berlin that it is difficult to choose. What about a magical trip to the Christmas Garden with the whole family? You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for a peaceful alternative to the otherwise hectic Christmas market. For a few weeks, the botanical garden in Berlin-Dahlem will be engulfed in a luminous fairytale landscape. Light installations lovingly staged, a legendary 100-year-old luminous suspension bridge, a walk-in Milky Way, sparkling crystal paths, giant reindeer, and dream forests give the impression of being in a magical world. Of course, there is music appropriate for each attraction.
