With the days getting shorter and temperatures falling, nothing beats wrapping up in a warm coat and scarf, and sipping mulled wine (Glühwein) at a Christmas market in Germany.
And you're in luck: some of the Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmärkte), or winter markets (Wintermarkte), are already open or opening soon.
So get ready to stand among the twinkling lights, browse stalls full of handmade gifts and tuck into a bratwurst or some gingerbread at one of these wonderful Christmas markets.
When do Christmas markets open in Germany?
Germany is home to more than 2,500 Christmas markets, which are also known locally as 'Advent markets' or 'Christkindl markets'.
Traditionally, most Weihnachtsmärkte in German-speaking regions start around or after the weekend of ‘Eternity Sunday’ or ‘Sunday of the Dead’, known as Totensonntag in German.
Totensonntag, a religious holiday with Protestant roots, is usually marked on the last Sunday before Advent and is a time to remember those who have died. This year, it falls on November 23rd, while the First Advent Sunday is November 30th.
A few markets open even earlier and some extend their opening times right into the new year. So those living in Germany, or visiting around the holiday season, have plenty of time to check them out.
It's worth noting that this year false claims about German Christmas markets being cancelled had gained some traction on social media. These claims have by and large been proven to be false.
However, a nation-wide focus on security has meant that some markets are being asked to step-up their efforts, and in a few cases the added costs involved have led individual markets to scale back or close. Magdeburg's Christmas market, which was the scene of a deadly attack last year, is one market that is reportedly at risk of being cancelled this year.
But in general, most are open for business as usual.
Germany's many and varied Christmas markets
With so many to choose from, market goers in Germany can seek out one that suits their taste, whether it's the more traditional feel or something more unique.
In Berlin alone, the city website lists a total of nearly 80 markets taking place this year – and this number is still being updated.
You might be surprised to hear that the 'Weihnachtsmarkt und Winterwelt' at Potsdamer Platz opened on October 30th – before Halloween! And by the way, a cup of Glühwein there will set you back €5 this year.
Other earlier openers are Weihnachts-Rummel an der Landsberger Allee (November 1st) and the LGBTQIA Winterdays and Christmas Avenue in Schöneberg (November 4th).
You'll have to wait longer for some of the others. Two of the most popular – the Weihnachtsmarkt am Gendarmenmarkt and the market at Alexanderplatz – open on November 24th.
Germany's most populous state of North Rhine-Westphalia is also seeing a few early openings this year. For instance, the Christmas market in Essen-Steele opened on November 2nd.
Other dates to keep in mind include November 13th for the Duisburg Christmas market and November 20th for Dortmund's 'Weihnachtstadt'.
In Cologne, markets are opening up from November 13th. The famous Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral launches on November 17th and the 'smallest Christmas market in the city' (which sounds super cute) launches on November 19th.
Over in the east of the country, Dresden's world-famous Striezelmarkt, which dates all way back to the 15th century, opens on November 26th. The stunning Annaberg-Buchholz Christmas market tucked away in the Ore Mountains opens on November 28th this year.
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Up north, Hamburg is host to lots of markets with most of the traditional ones opening on or around November 24th. Check out the Santa Pauli Christmas market, which opened on November 10th, for something a bit edgier.
Frankfurt's Christmas market launches this year on November 24th, while the Mainz Christmas market opens to visitors on November 27th.
The southern state of Bavaria is home to some of the most well-known festive celebrations.
In Nuremberg, the much-loved Christkindlesmarkt (known to be the biggest in Europe) begins on November 28th, while the Münchner Christkindlmarkt, is set to open on November 24th.
READ ALSO: An essential guide to Bavaria's Christmas markets
Munich’s Tollwood Winter Festival (which is also referred to as the city’s ‘alternative Christmas market’) opens on November 25th.
And in Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart's main Christmas market opens on November 26th, while the Christkindlesmarkt in Augsburg will welcome guests on November 24th.
All that's left is to pick the market you'd like to try first, and then go get cozy!
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