The Christmas Market in Stuttgart
Posted on December 14, 2010 by
Laurel
Tuesday,
December
14th,
2010
The Christmas Market in Stuttgart is special, albeit it slightly unusual. It’s special because Stuttgart is home to one of the largest Christmas Markets in Germany, attracting weekend visitors from all over Europe and has been around for 300 years. The Christmas Market in Stuttgart is nestled between the market square and the old castle and new castle creating a historical atmosphere. But what really makes the Christmas Market in Stuttgart unusual is the decorating contest. This isn’t any old tree decorating contest, but a wooden roof decorating contest in which each of the 200 vendors decorates their roofs. You be the judge:
 |
| Not surprising at a Christmas Market, Santa Claus was a common theme among many of the competitors |
 |
| And of course Santa’s reindeer |
|
|
|
 |
| Several polar bears also made appearances. Perhaps because they also live at the North Pole with Santa Claus? |
|
|
|
 |
| This sausage stand included some very clever advertising, which made me laugh out loud when I saw the giant sausage. |
|
|
 |
| But it wasn’t all about Santa Claus and his reindeer. Manger scenes were also common. |
|
 |
| And then there were the rest! |
|
I kept choosing a new “winner” in my head every time I walked pass a new booth. But in the end, I think my favorite is the first image with Santa Claus and his sleigh and because the white things (which you can’t see very well in the photo) are polar bears and being from Canada…well, I just couldn’t help it. Which one would you pick? The
Nuremberg Christmas Market also had decorated roofs, but only in the children’s area. The Christmas Market in Stuttgart is truly special!
More on German Christmas Markets:
You may also be interested in:
I'm Laurel, a former Program Director from Canada now living in Munich, Germany. I love traveling, diving, and hiking. I'm also an animal enthusiast with a special affinity for monkeys, cats and sharks.
I see what you mean–Stuttgart looks beautiful at Christmastime! And thanks for adding it to my Favorite Christmas Market Poll on my blog
Beautiful! No way to pick a winner. I love them all.
I've always heard the German Christmas markets are the best – shame we won't be there at this time of the year.
Thanks for the comments everyone. The Christmas Markets are beautiful and I agree with @Nancie that the judges have an almost impossible task of picking a winner!
Can't wait to experience a German Christmas market sometime. What fun! I think I like the sleigh decoration the best, but the others all get honorable mentions!
The decorations make Stuttgart one of my favorite markets (during the day). I never knew there was actually a contest. Do they take votes and announce a winner?
I like the top photo or the sausage stand! Very cool! Thanks for sharing your photos!
Nobody does this stuff like the Germans!
The Stuttgart Christmas market looks amazing, not sure I am going to get there this year though, but next year I will for sure! Have finally made it to the Esslingen and it is really good, quite atmospheric with the people in costumes and the entertainment and lots of flaming torches instead of electric lights. The Glühwein is deadly but most excellent