Christmas markets around Düsseldorf

Before leaving Christmas behind and focusing on this year I have to write this post about all the Christmas markets in and around Düsseldorf that I visited this year. Apart from that the weather more felt like March in December the Christmas spirit came early thanks to all the traditional German Christmas markets. The Christmas markets were set up well in time for first of Advent and was opened everyday up until Christmas. Festive lights, decorations, cosy wooden stalls with all sorts of things were sold. Handmade German ornaments and decorations ( a lot of made in China ornaments too) local specialities such as traditionally decorated gingerbread cookies. The classic hot beverage Glühwein was served in many stals and often served in a special designed mug. Bratwurst, crepes and other on the go food sold everywhere. In most markets you can also find a stage where Christmas songs were performed and where St Nicholas came to greet the children etc. In Düsseldorf they also had an ice-skating rink set-up in the main square by Köningsallee infront of Galeria Kaufhof. And with the view over Rhein in Altstadt close to the Schlossturn a big Ferris wheel was set up.

Me and Mila headed out on the first weekend and walked Nordstrasse which had mainly Glühwein, roasted almonds and bratwurst stands. We tried skewer with strawberries dipped in milk chocolate, oh yes very yummy. We continued walking through Hofgarten to down-town Düsseldorf and got a glimps of all the stands there. Düsseldorf down-town has Christmas markets spread out a bit from Köningsallee and Kö-Bogen and a lot of stalls on the walking street Flinger Strasse in Altstadt down to Rathaus and Burghaus.

My uncle Christer came down to Germnay to see us the second week of December and we had a chance both to check the market down-town on a Thursday when it was very few people but also on a super busy Saturday. We even went on the big wheel which has a great view over Rhein and Altstadt.

Also to visit the market in the evening gives a lot of festive spirit with all the lights and drink a few hot Glühweins.

I have also visited:
Kaiserwerth ( our local centrum 10 min from home) has a very cute little Christmas market
Ratingen ( Neighbor town to Düsseldorf and only 10 minutes away from where we live)

All in all I have never had the chance nor the interest to visit so many Christmas markets ever before, but while living in Germany I can't avoid them during December so I am instead embracing them..