Christmas Markets along EuroVelo 15 – Rhine Cycle Route
Enchanting Christmas World in Schaffhausen
Setting for the sixth Christmas Market Schaffhausen is the Swiss’ largest cloister: the 800 years old “Kreuzgang zu Allerheiligen Schaffhausen”. Together with the Christmas lights of the historic district, this turns the city into an enchanting Christmas world. More than 100 exhibitors present their offers on December 14 and 15. A special highlight for every visit is listening to “Geschichten under em Stärn” (‘stories under the star’) and two musicians using more than 50 bells of all sizes to play festive melodies.
Christmas Capital Strasbourg
The first Christmas market in Strasbourg was held in 1570, which makes it the oldest market of this sort in all of France. There is still a very special atmosphere lingering over the city during Advent. The Christmas market spreads out into many streets and squares of the city centre, in particular Place Broglie and the Cathedral Square. A giant Christmas tree is planted at Place Kleber close to the "Sharing Village" and an ice skating rink at the foot of the cathedral will delight the children. The Christmas market takes place between November 22 and December 30.
Christmas Magic in Rastatt
Rastatt welcomes visitors with two Christmas markets: The traditional Christmas market on the Market Square opens his gates from November 25 to December 23. One of the highlights is the annual music contest. More than 200 musicians applied and the best nine were selected to play their music on stage. The “SchlossWeihnacht” (‘Palace Christmas’) between December 5 and 15 turns the Baroque Palace in a very festive atmosphere. Homemade presents and exotic food is presented in the Palace’s courtyard. A 140 years old horse merry-go-round, a photo booth and a “living jukebox” guarantee fun for the young and the old.
Festive atmosphere in Weisweil
The Baden-Wuerttemberg town Weisweil, located directly along the Rhine Cycle Route, hosts the Christmas Market Weisweil on December 7 and 8. The historic fanfare corps “Ritter Herrmann 1242 e.V. Weisweil” will open the market with festive music. Other items on the programme are organised by the kindergarten “Blumenwiese”, the Protestant church choir and the Weisweil Music Society. All profits of the market are donated to the Children’s Cancer Clinic in Freiburg.
Christmas market in the Palatinate Speyer
Amidst the historic downtown, the Christmas and New Year’s Market Speyer, attracts visitors from far and near with plenty of illuminated stalls. Starting on November 25, guests can get carried away by the Christmas spirit. The best part of this market: The New Year’s Market allows visitors to stroll around until January 6. One of the highlights of this year’s market is once again “Altpörtel in Flammen” – a fireworks spectacle, accentuated by music taking place on December 3 and 18.
More than 17 nations present traditional products in Rüdesheim
The famous “Christmas Market of the Nations” takes places from November 21 to December 23 in the Hessian town of Rüdesheim. More than 17 nations from six continents are represented when more than 120 stalls present products, specialties and customs from all over the world. A varied program of concerts and performances tops off a visit to Rüdesheim. One of the highlights each year is St. Thomas’ Night on December 20, the longest day of the year. A traditional parade celebrates this day.
Christmas in Koblenz, the city on the ‘German Corner’
The Christmas market Koblenz offers a unique combination of Rhine Romanticism and Christmas magic. Numerous exhibitors display their goods on seven different squares throughout the historical district between November 22 and December 22. The famous ‘glowing calendar’ on the town hall’s roof is supplemented with a ‘musical calendar’ for the first time: local choirs present festive music in the town hall’s courtyard between December 1 and 22.
Christmas World in Dusseldorf
Seven town squares transform during the Christmas market Dusseldorf between November 21 and December 30 into different theme worlds, such as the artisan’s market, the “angel market”, the “stars market” and the festive Christmas village. The Dome of Lights on Dusseldorf’s most famous street, the Königsallee, the ice rink on Corneliusplatz and the Ferris wheel on Burgplatz offer special highlights for the whole family.
The largest Christmas market of the Netherlands awaits in Dordrecht
The largest Christmas market of the Netherlands takes place in the city of Dordrecht on the third weekend of Advent, December 13 to 15. More than 200 stalls are spread out over a distance of 2.5 km and transform the historic city centre and the harbour into a Christmas wonderland. Choirs and bands cater for the perfect Christmas feeling. On Friday and Saturday evening, all visitors are invited to join in a sing-along of Christmas songs. A large ice rink invites younger and older visitors alike to a round of ice skating.
More information on the EuroVelo 15 – Rhine Cycle Route can be found under www.rhinecycleroute.eu.
The Demarrage Project LTMA comprises the following partners: Stichting Landelijk Fietsplatform, Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Mittelstand und Energie des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen, Hessisches Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Verkehr und Landesentwicklung, Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Verkehr, Landwirtschaft und Weinbau des Landes Rheinland-Pfalz, Wirtschaftsministerium Baden-Württemberg, Stiftung Schweiz Mobil, Conseil Géneral du Bas-Rhin under the leadership of the European Cyclists´ Federation. This press release was issued by Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH on behalf of the partners listed above. Further information: Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH, An der Königsbach 8, 56075 Koblenz, info(at)romantischer-rhein.de, www.rheinradweg.eu / www.rhinecycleroute.eu / www.rijnfietsroute.eu / www.velorouterhin.eu.