Within a couple of weeks or so the spicy haze of
glühwein (mulled wine) will be wafting across Europe as over 2500
Christmas Markets get underway in Germany. It is a special festive atmosphere, characterized by roasted almonds, hot chestnuts, carved nativity figures, Christmas spices, millions of sparkling Christmas lights, gingerbread, candles, baked apples and, of course glühwein.
I have long considered Weihnachtsmaerkte (Christmas markets) as being the start of the German party season, which extends from one festival to another until the beer festivals in October.The first ever recorded Christmas market in Germany is Dresden's
Striezelmarkt, which is known to have taken place in 1434. Now, they take place throughout Germany, usually lasting about four weeks and finishing on Xmas eve.
