It's that time of year again to look forward to the holidays, and how nice to visit a Christmas market. The towns in Lower Saxony are all cozy places with a medieval atmosphere – an ideal backdrop for particularly atmospheric Christmas markets.
Göttingen Decorative artists in the university town of Göttingen not only present and sell glass art, wooden figurines, candles and pottery, but they can also be admired during their work. In addition to hot punch and mulled wine, Göttingen also offers mulled beer, a local speciality. A special feature in Göttingen is the opportunity to visit the city's vaulted cellars.
Hamelen
In the Pied Piper town of Hamelin, the facade of the beautiful Hochzeitshaus is decorated with a giant Advent calendar and on the Lütjenmarkt an eleven-meter high pyramid creates a Christmas atmosphere. Everyone can blow their own glass Christmas bauble in the glass blowing factory Hamelin. Highly recommended:an Advent cruise on the River Weser.
Goslar
Unique in Germany is the Christmas forest in the town of Goslar. More than 40 pine trees with ten thousand burning lights give the Christmas market on the historic market square a festive look. An experience is a visit to the former ore mine Rammelsberg, which together with the city center is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. During the Christmas season, the old mines form the backdrop for a special underground Christmas market.
Lüneburg
Beautifully lit rows of houses, atmospheric Christmas markets and churches with Christmas scenes enchant the "Christmas town of Lüneburg". The Hanseatic city has two attractions to offer:the smallest Christmas market and the largest Advent wreath in Germany. In Lüneburg there are many pleasant shopping streets, ideal for Christmas shopping.
Braunschweig
Against an impressive historical background around Dankwaderode Castle, about 140 decorative artists and market vendors display their wares at the Christmas market in Braunschweig. Popular meeting place is the beautifully lit moat with floating rafts.
Celle
In the 700-year-old city of Celle, the Christmas market is situated in a breathtaking setting:the largest number of half-timbered houses in Europe together. The Christmas lighting conjures up a festive spectacle on the varied half-timbered facades. Also worth a visit is the oldest fully preserved Welfen Castle in Germany.
Hanover
In the old town of Hanover, you can stroll past no fewer than 170 stalls. A medieval and a Finnish Christmas village are part of the traditional Christmas market with its extensive Advent programme. Young and old can enjoy themselves at the Winter Zoo and the Winter Variety Show in the "Herrenhäuser Gärten".
Hildesheim The heart of the Christmas market beats on Hildesheim's historic market square. Here too, the facades of the numerous half-timbered houses and the many festively decorated stalls around a large Christmas pyramid provide a fairytale decor and a unique atmosphere. From the top of the tower of St Andrew's Church you have a beautiful view over the city.
Wolfenbüttel
The Christmas market in the enchanting and historic town of Wolfenbüttel has become a special tip among lovers of Christmas markets with a romantic atmosphere in recent years. With its thousands of dazzling lights and its program of fairytale performances, this is the Christmas market that can make any child's dream come true. Everywhere in the city, you get the feeling:this is the house of Christmas!
Overview Christmas market dates:
Braunschweig 23-11 to 29-12
Celle 24-11 to 27-12
Göttingen 23-11 to 28-12
Goslar 23-11 to 30-12
Hamelen 23-11 to 23-12
Hannover 22-11 to 22-12
Hildesheim 24-11 to 26 -12
Lüneburg 23-11 to 23-12
Wolfenbüttel 22-11 to 23-12
More information about the Christmas markets can be found here.
