Weihnachtlicher Mittelaltermarkt

This Medieval themed market is located at Wittelsbacher Platz, near Odeonsplatz.  We make it a point to visit this market every year because it is a little wacky-with wood nymphs, jesters and knights on horseback walking about....

But mostly, we come for the food:  meat and pastry kebabs, baked apples, fried apples, meaty stews.....

The atmosphere is fun and the people friendly...

  And, you can buy and animal butt purse, complete with legs...

Or watch a side show tightrope act...

No matter what you come for, the circus style atmosphere is worth at least one visit during the Christmas market season!

Schwabinger Markt @ Muenchner Freiheit

This is one of my favorite Christmas markets...the outstanding thing about this one is that everything here is handmade and local-ish...brought in from all over Germany. 

I think that the pictures tell the story better than I can.....

Mistletoe bunches for sale

On each stand is a sign which reads..."Handmade in...."

Located at the Muenchner Freiheit Ubahn station in Schwabing...this one for me is not to miss!

Rindermarkt Market

Just off of the main city square at Marienplatz, and on your way to Sendlinger Tor, there is a little market that is almost completely devoted to selling Nativity Scene characters and props.  People come with lists of what they need to complete their home Nativity Scene, or Krippe.

You need a Nativity lobster?  This is the place to go to buy it...

You can also sample some Gluehwein at a most unusual stand, which is modeled after what the Germans call a pyramid...you know, that thingy with the candles that the heat from the flame makes the propellers on top go around?  Here is a more than life sized version. That sells mulled wine.

I couldn't leave this market without sampling my favorite cherry concoction...

Which can be sampled by the open fire pit, if the alcohol doesn't do the trick in warming you up!

Springerle blocks

The other delicacy that they are known for in this market is the Feuerzangenbowle:  a powerful punch that is laced with the drippings of a sugar block that is soaked in rum, set ablaze and allowed to drip into the punch. 

Here is one of the people at the stand pouring the rum and keeping the sugar lit...this punch packs a powerful punch and is a favorite amongst the ex-pat community here in Munich!  One of these will absolutely keep you warm on a cold market day! Makes me wish that I liked rum....

Christkindlmarkt am Marienplatz

What do you get when you cross the beautiful Rathaus in Marienplatz with tiny huts selling ornaments, various other sundries, Gluehwein and sugared nuts?  A big, bustling Christkindlmarkt in the city center! 

I couldn't help myself from posting these pictures with the blue sky as backround...with all of the snow we have had, we have had a lot of cloud cover, but this is a great reminder for later that we actually had some sun...

Oh, I could have bought about a million new ornaments at this market...but I restrained myself, as we had just a little tiny tree this year, and only for a week before we left.  You see, I was feeling melancholy about not having any Christmas decorations up this year (except for the felt ball wreath, which came out very nicely, but is another story all together), and with the Hub traveling so much...it didn't seem like we would get one.  But, as I was shopping with friends in Karstadt, I found a lovely little pre-lit tree for ten euros!  (will post pics on a holiday round-up...I am digressing from the original post topic!)

I have mentioned before that this is the most touristy market because of the size and also its home in the city center.  To only have visited this one would be a shame, but to not have made it to this one while living here would be a crime.  The huge tree, the beautiful setting: all ingredients for a nice market.  Here is a pic from the inside tunnel of the Rathaus which leads into the courtyard...but this angle is looking out into the main square.

Just one of the many stands selling sugared nuts...we also found one that was selling pumpkin seeds roasted in chili...Scharf!  Spicy!  Goodness!

I love this Gluehwein stand which imitates it's own backround:  the Frauenkirche...but their towers are not covered in scaffolding!

And, if you look hard enough, you might just find the best macaroon you have ever eaten!

Sendlinger Tor Market

I've not a lot on this market this year, except to say that it still holds the title for having the best Wurst Semmel and I found a new addition~the Kaesekrainer-a cheesy stuffed red wurst.  Yum!  As far as decor and things to buy, I am always drooling over these stars.  One of the neighbors across the street has one in their window and it looks beautiful at night whilst lit.  I just don't know how to go about affixing it to the window....but I do love the way they look!

These are festive, but on the list of things that I don't need....

This is a small market, but one that is fun to stop and have a look around.

And maybe partake in a lovely cheesy wurst.....

Tollwood

We had some very snowy days here in Munich, which was a nice surprise due to the fact that the heavy snowfall last year seemed to come after the New Year began.  So, snow in early December, blanketing the Christmas Markets made everything magical and frosted...and cold. 

The perfect market to visit in these conditions is the one at the Theresienweisen where the Oktoberfest is held: Tollwood.  This is more than just an outside market, as it has tents!  One of the tents is for performances...and this market stays open until 1 am to accommodate the patrons of the shows.  It also has 2 tents for vendors...one is focused solely on world goods-free trade-Unicef sorts of products, the other is your basic market vendors, but just inside away from the elements. 

For some reason, last year, I never made it down to this market.  I can't really say why.  I know that there is a summer Tollwood that is up at the Olympic stadium center, but had heard that it is cheesy and sort of on the cheap side.  Not the winter one, no sirree,  this one is worth a visit...or three!

My friends and I went down to explore Tollwood on this very snowy day, so we decided that a Gluehwein stop was necessary...this stand had a humongous chandelier hanging in the center. Some nice ambiance, no?

And they offered up my favorite variety of Gluehwein~Cherry!

A few pictures of the many things that tempted me inside the tents:

So, after a few presents scouted out and a few purchases (for myself!) made, we were off out into the snowy night again.  We were greeted by lights and beauty that was amplified by the crisp evening air and the snow falling.  Light installations and tents ablaze, we were on our way home.  But, with promises to be back again and to bring the Hubs along next time.

In German, the word "toll" means "cool".  Yes, I think that Tollwood is absolutely toll.