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A Guide to Top Christmas Markets in Germany, Switzerland and Austria
There is no better way of getting into the festive spirit than going to a Christmas market. These traditional events, usually held in town squares, have been popular in Europe for centuries and, as they coincide with Advent, mark the beginning of the festive season.
The markets, which typically operate from the end of November until Christmas Eve, offer a real taste of local culture. Many of the stalls sell regional specialities, particularly food and drink. They offer much more than somewhere to do your Christmas shopping as the communities often lay on plenty of musical and dance events, plus a nativity play.
Hamiltons Removals organises removals to Germany, Switzerland and a host of other European destinations. Here are six of the most famous Christmas markets on the continent.
Dresden
This is one of the oldest markets, not just in Germany but the whole of Europe, and dates back to 1434. The main event is known as Striezelmarket after the so-called ‘Dresden Christmas cake’ which was originally called ‘striezel’. It is held in the town’s old market square, and the focal point is a 14 metre high Christmas pyramid.
There are also lots of separate, themed markets in other neighbouring streets. Arts and crafts items are among the most popular purchases, and you can watch woodcarvers and glassblowers in action at some stalls. Festive concerts are also held in various venues throughout the city.
Berlin
The German capital has more than 60 different markets, catering for every conceivable taste. The Gendarmemarket features jugglers, fire-eaters and acrobats, while the market in front of the Red Town Hall is aimed more at children, with pony and sleigh rides, street artists and storytellers.
For the environmentally conscious there is also a Green market, with lots of ethically-sourced goods, and even Santa is dressed in green. The largest and most traditional market is held in Spandau, a western district of the city, where up to 400 stall-holders sell their wares.
Stuttgart
More than 250 wooden chalets fill the Market Square and neighbouring Schillerplatz for this lively Christmas market. Family entertainment includes a miniature steam railway, and an outdoor ice skating rink for the sporting types.
As well as a full range of local culinary specialities, the event includes an antiques market held on Karlsplatz which offers rare books, jewellery, porcelain and other collectibles. Christmas concerts take place in the courtyard of the Old Castle.
Berne
For those people interested in removals to Switzerland, the country has embraced the traditions of Christmas markets, with Berne hosting two events, each with its own character.
At Munsterplatz you will find plenty of locally-made arts and crafts, including pottery, hand-painted silk scarves, glassware and textiles. Waisenhausplatz offers more traditional Christmas market fare, including food and drink plus clothes and children’s toys.
Basel
One of the largest in Switzerland, Basel Christmas market is split between two main sites, on Barfusserplatz and Munsterplatz. The former has plenty of tempting culinary treats, including gluhwein, grilled sausages and gingerbread. Munsterplatz, as well as plenty of stalls, is also home to a fairy-tale forest, where children can make and decorate candles and gingerbread and enjoy train rides.
Vienna
The Austrian capital has had a Christmas market since 1298, when it was called a December market. The principal venue is in front of the City Hall, although there are around 20 other markets running throughout the capital. The hall’s windows are made up to look like an Advent calendar, while inside the building children can learn how to make candles and cookies. For the musically minded, international choirs sing carols at free concerts from Fridays to Sundays while the markets are running.
Hamiltons Removals organises commercial and domestic removals to Germany, Switzerland and Austria. You can find a full list of countries we offer removals to in Europe by following the link above. We pride ourselves on our friendly, professional service and will be happy to advise you on all aspects of your move, and can provide a packing service for all your possessions, including bulky items like motorbikes and pianos.
Why Self-Storage is Ideal at Christmas
Christmas is coming … and the house is getting full. There are all the presents, extra food and tree to fit in, and that’s even before you think about finding space for the friends and relations who may be coming over to celebrate the festive season.
Using self-storage is the answer, and, if you are looking for companies in Norfolk or Suffolk, Hamiltons Removals are the people to call. Here we outline four key reasons why your house, or your business, could benefit from some extra seasonal space.
It Keeps Presents Safe and Secure
The magic of the big day can be ruined by prying eyes. Cupboards, boxes, the loft or the wardrobe are among the first places that children will think of looking for their presents. It doesn’t help when certain online sites give advice on likely hiding-places. Some presents are so bulky that they will be difficult to hide, and even if you wrap them up it will still be obvious what they are.
Having the use of a local self-storage unit will mean all these gifts are out of sight. Even if your children suspect where they are, they won’t be able to do anything about it. And you can wrap all the presents up there without having to worry about being disturbed at the wrong moment.
It Can Create Plenty of Extra Room
Christmas is a time for getting rid of all the clutter that has been accumulating over the year. Often all the unused items end up in the spare bedroom, which isn’t ideal if it won’t be spare as friends or relations will be sleeping there.
Using a self-storage facility will create the extra space you need. Once your guests have gone you can reclaim all your possessions – and you may find it useful to keep renting out your storage facility, as you can use it to store all the Christmas decorations you won’t be needing for another year.
If You Are Going Away
Self-storage is also useful if you are the one who is going away for Christmas. You may be visiting friends or relations, or perhaps you fancy a seasonal break in the sun. In cases like these, you may be leaving a lot of valuables unattended, and thieves often strike over the Christmas period in search of some easy pickings.
If you put your items into a secure self-storage area, such as Hamiltons’ Safe N Stored sites, then you can go on holiday safe in the knowledge that your precious possessions are well protected.
It’s Good for Businesses Too
Self-storage facilities allow businesses, and particularly retail outlets, to increase their levels of stock ahead of one of the busiest, and most profitable, times of the year. You can also use them to create space for Christmas window displays.
In other types of business, the festive period can be one of the quieter times of the year. Why not use this time to move all the office furniture into storage and give the walls a lick of paint?
Safe N Stored with Hamiltons Removals
Hamiltons Removals have two Safe N Stored sites on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, at Aldeby and Harleston. At Aldeby we have a range of self-storage containers, with the largest (20’) ideal for customers who need somewhere to put bulkier items. All the containers are protected by high-security padlocks and CCTV.
Our Harleston site offers self-storage units, with sizes ranging from 25sq ft to 200sq ft. They are protected by CCTV cameras and a police-linked alarm system. Here we also have a shop where you can buy a wide range of cartons and other packing materials, as well as vans available for hire, a forklift and a porter service. We can also collect and deliver your items. If you would like to know more about our self-storage services, click here.