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Hamburg’s Christmas markets, crib exhibitions and
handicrafts enrich the character of Hamburg. The city decorates itself
with the Christmas markets at the Rathausmarkt (in front of the town
hall), Gerhardt-Hauptmann-Platz, in the Spitalerstrasse, the one around
the Petrikirche and last but not least the one at the Gänsemarkt.
The scent of roasted almonds and sweet chestnuts as well as the tasty
flavour of cinnamon and Glühwein (hot mulled wine) rise into the noses
of the visitors strolling at ease through these winterly markets. At the
Mönckebergbrunnen 10000 candles illuminate a 60 feet high Christmas
tree. 150 merchants entice customers into downtown.
Very popular is the Hanseatic Christmas market at Gänsemarkt due to its
special appearance, the classical arts and crafts, the wide variety of
toys and the marvellous Christmas decorations. Food and drinks are
served in a nice and familiar atmosphere. Every day at six o´clock the
famous Alsterspatzen-choir sings, and frequently, at announced hours, a
story teller reads fairytales.
While the adults go shopping, the children have the possibility to take
part in many activities on one of the five fairytale-steamers on the
Alster Lake, each beautifully decorated as a unique wonderland.
The shops in the shopping-streets and malls in downtown are open untill 6pm
on each of the four Saturdays before Christmas. Street bands playing
Christmas songs and the beautiful decorations create an atmosphere in
which the word stress does not exist. The shoppers stroll relaxed
through the streets and malls gathering inspiration from the window
displays. But Hamburg's shopping arcades are not just a shopper's mecca;
they are also an architectural wonder world. Marble, redbrick, steel and
glass set the scene. The network of covered shopping arcades in the city
centre is closely interlinked. You can almost tour them all without
getting your feet wet. |
