{"id":5851,"date":"2014-12-05T15:17:02","date_gmt":"2014-12-05T15:17:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/?p=5851"},"modified":"2017-11-17T14:46:34","modified_gmt":"2017-11-17T14:46:34","slug":"festive-germany-munichs-marienplatz-in-december","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/festive-germany-munichs-marienplatz-in-december\/","title":{"rendered":"Festive Germany: Munich’s Marienplatz in December"},"content":{"rendered":"

Happy December! December is the month that Germany comes alive with Weihnachtsmarkten<\/strong>, Gl\u00fchwein<\/strong>, and festive spirit. Exactly one year ago, I took my husband to see M\u00fcnchen for the first time. I thought this would be the perfect time to show you the cosy, Christmassy atmosphere that you can find in Marienplatz<\/strong><\/em> – the centre of M\u00fcnchen. So I hope you’ll enjoy some of my own photos from December last year.<\/p>\n

It is in Marienplatz that you\u2019ll find the Neues Rathaus<\/strong> (New Town Hall) and the Christkindlmarkt<\/strong>– one of M\u00fcnchen\u2019s many Christmas markets! Upon arriving in M\u00fcnchen, we left our bags at my sister\u2019s place and headed straight for Marienplatz to soak up the festive atmosphere.<\/p>\n

Outside the Neues Rathaus<\/strong> (New Town Hall) there was a huge Weihnachtsbaum<\/strong> (Christmas tree) decorated from top to bottom in sparkling lights \u2013 2,500 of them, apparently! This tree is here every year and is a beautiful centrepiece for Marienplatz.<\/p>\n

We went to drink some Gl\u00fchwein<\/strong> (mulled wine), because Gl\u00fchwein tastes best when drank in Germany, at Christmas time! There are numerous stalls in Marienplatz selling Gl\u00fchwein. If you don\u2019t drink alcohol, there is an alcohol-free alternative called Kinderpunsch<\/strong> (\u2018children\u2019s punch\u2019), a hot, spiced apple drink which is also very tasty.<\/p>\n

When you buy your Gl\u00fchwein<\/strong>, it is served to you in a festive mug, which you pay extra for (I think I paid 3 Euros or so last time). When you return the mug, you get this extra money back. This is both an incentive to return the mug, and it prevents the vendors from having to use paper\/cardboard cups. A plus for the environment!<\/p>\n

Gl\u00fchwein<\/strong> warming your hands and heart, you can huddle around one of the fairy-lit tables and chat away to your heart\u2019s content. This sort of scenario is what the word Gem\u00fctlichkeit <\/a>was made for!<\/p>\n

Other things to see, buy and do in and around Marienplatz in December:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Quite frankly, chatting and drinking Gl\u00fchwein in Marienplatz is enough to keep me happy. However, there are plenty of other things to see, buy and do in Marienplatz in December! Here are a few of them.<\/p>\n

Other stalls at the Christkindlmarkt<\/strong> sell Christmas decorations (including traditional ones, such as religious figurines, cribs and mangers \u2013 but if you\u2019re looking for more of this, head to the Kripperlmarkt<\/strong> on Neuhausser Stra\u00dfe, just a short walk away from Marienplatz!); handmade crafts, including jewellery and wooden toys; roasted nuts; candles and lights; Lebkuchen<\/strong> (gingerbread) hearts, houses and other treats; hot food such as Bratwurst<\/strong> and Kn\u00f6del<\/a><\/strong>; and more!<\/p>\n

There is live music every evening at 5.30pm, performed from the balcony of the Rathaus.<\/strong> The music played varies between traditional Bavarian music (bayerische Musik<\/strong>), Christmas music (Weihnachtsmusik<\/strong>) and carol singing (Weihnachtslieder<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

If you fancy going Schlittschuhlaufen<\/strong> (ice skating), there\u2019s a rink in Karlsplatz Stachus, which is a short walk from Marienplatz. This is called M\u00fcnchener Eiszauber <\/strong>(\u201cMunich Ice Magic\u201d) and is M\u00fcnchen\u2019s largest open-air ice rink, open from late November until early January. If you don’t want to take part, then you’ll be pleased to know there are food & drink stalls at M\u00fcnchener Eiszauber, too, and a rustic, seated area from which you can watch the skaters. Click here<\/a> <\/strong>to go to the M\u00fcnchener Eiszauber website (in German).<\/p>\n

M\u00fcnchen is a magical place at Weihnachten<\/strong>, and what I\u2019ve written about here is only a small part of it. There are many more Christmas markets and Christmas events across the city to enjoy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Happy December! December is the month that Germany comes alive with Weihnachtsmarkten, Gl\u00fchwein, and festive spirit. Exactly one year ago, I took my husband to see M\u00fcnchen for the first time. I thought this would be the perfect time to show you the cosy, Christmassy atmosphere that you can find in Marienplatz – the centre…<\/p>\n

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