8 unusual Christmas markets
Mulled wine, bright lights, jingle bells — the Christmas season in Germany is filled with festive traditions. But some Christmas markets celebrate in their own special way.
Christmas in the Wild West
The Bavarian theme park "Pullman City Western town" in Eging am See is transformed into a German-American Christmas market. Charming cowboys walk through the streets together with Santa Claus. On the brightly lit Mainstreet there are stalls offering cookies, punch and mulled wine.
On the North Sea coast
In the East Frisian port city of Emden, the Angel Market takes place not just on land, but also on the water. This Christmas market is named after a golden figure in the city's coat of arms. The museum ships in the old inland port are decorated with chains of holiday lights. North German specialties such as sea buckthorn grog, kale and eel rolls are served from the galleys.
Going underground
A network of wine cellars stretches 22 kilometers (13.7 mi) through the underground of Traben-Trarbach, the wine town on the Moselle River. Underground temperatures remain constant and pleasant. The wine cellars are therefore the perfect place for a visit to the Moselle Wine Night Market — no matter whether it's stormy or snowing outside.
Christmas magic under the bridge
Picturesquely situated in the Ravenna Gorge, this Christmas market in the Black Forest offers a very romantic atmosphere. Framed by the steep walls of the gorge and under the 40-meter-high (131 ft) railway viaduct of the Höllental Railway, a village of wooden huts invites you every year to go on a Christmas shopping spree.
In a quarry
The Christkindlmarkt is rustically located on the site of an old quarry in Hauzenberg in Bavaria. Here, arts and crafts from the region are not only sold, but traditional handicraft techniques such as stonemasonry are also demonstrated. For the children, the nativity scene with real animals is a big hit.
Have yourself a Pink Christmas
Pink and cheerful, is how Munich's Stephansplatz in the trendy Glockenbach quarter has been celebrating the festive season for 15 years now. "Pink Christmas" is the name of the gay and lesbian Christmas market. On the show stage, travesty artists, DJs and pop singers put you in a good mood. The proceeds from the Prosecco Bar go to the Munich Aids Foundation.
Have yourself a pirate Christmas, yar!
Torches shine in the darkness, swords sound, arrows hiss through the air. The "Medieval Illuminated Christmas Market" in Dortmund's Fredenbaumpark has a lot to offer. Pirate ships and pirate treasures, knights tournaments and dragon fights — here you can have an adventurous Christmas time!
Have yourself a saucy Christmas!
Santa Pauli, that's Hamburg's most erotic Christmas market on the legendary Reeperbahn pleasure mile. Visitors can watch "hot angels" in the strip tent, shop for sex toys or take part in porn karaoke. Not sure that Santa would approve.