Germany has its share of these markets and the Münster Christmas Market is one that turns the city into a wonderland of shopping and tasting the special treats of the season. Every year from late November until December 23, this city’s old quarter in the country’s North Rhine-Westphalia district welcomes visitors from around the world to celebrate the period with five distinct markets in walking proximity to each other. Come and see why Christmas is reason alone to visit Münster with someone special.
Stroll with a souvenir cup of mulled wine among 300 stalls set on highly decorated streets illuminated with thousands of lights. The oldest and largest market, in the Prinzipalmarkt square, is located in the Town Hall’s inner courtyard where jewelry and handcrafted items, many with a seasonal theme, can be purchased. Look like a local and try the seasonal fare that this market has available, such as the popular roasted sugar coated almonds or lebkuchen hearts, a type of personalized gingerbread cookie.
With a 72-foot (22-meter) Christmas tree as the focal point, the St. Lamberti market draws people for its dazzling decorations and lights. Sense the romance with the surrounding roofs highlighted in blue lights and St. Lamberti Church lending its aura over shoppers and pedestrians.
Try the cozy market at the city’s Kiepenkerl monument where the focus is on traditional Christmases, or the Aegidii Market with a deeply religious nativity scene and a 20-foot (6-meter) high wooden Christmas pyramid that characteristically has a fan blade at the top rotating from candle heat coming from below.
The remaining market, Giebelhüüskes Market located by the historic Überwasserkirche, a Gothic-style church, is a trove of specialties and delicacies that emphasize this special time of the year.
Visit Münster Christmas Market to shop for items that are perfect for celebrating a traditional Christmas, or for enjoying the food and drink that’s only available during the period, or just for the atmosphere in the city during this season.
