The World’s Biggest Advent Calendar

Forchheim’s Christmas Market

Forchheim is a small town that boasts a big attraction: The world’s biggest Advent calendar.  Every year, the medieval town hall is transformed into a living Advent calendar.  Each night at 6:30 a Christmas angel opens one of the windows, reads a short biblical passage, and reveals that day’s picture.  A brass band plays Christmas carols starting from around 5:30 pm and there are plenty of things to eat and drink while waiting.  This is a very quaint and cozy Christmas market and is definitely worth stopping by one evening.

Here are some pictures from yesterday:

Nuremberg’s Christmas Market

Nuremberg has one of Germany’s largest and most popular Christmas Markets. The Christkindlesmarkt (Christ Child Market) has been celebrated in Nuremberg during the advent season since the middle of the 17th century.  A visit is the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit while wandering through the alleys and admiring the sweets, toys, and decorations adorning close to 200 red-and-white snow covered stalls.  If you have a sweet tooth, I would recommend trying a large gingerbread cookie (Lebkuchen), one of Nuremberg’s traditional Christmas specialties.

For those who cannot make it, I’ve posted a few pictures below.

For those in the area, here is the link to the official website for practical information: Nuremberg Christmas Market’s English website.