Beginning in late November and continuing through the end of December, the streets of every city and town in Germany come alive at night. They are covered in colorful lights, warmed by the air from grills and wood-fired ovens, and flooded with people, all coming to visit the traditional Christmas markets. This year was my first time being in Germany during the holiday season, so all my German friends, coworkers, and students told me I had to check out the Christmas markets. I took their advice and visited the markets in Mainz and two nearby cities: Wiesbaden and Cologne.
One of the first things you notice when you enter any German Christmas market is the crowds. Once it starts getting dark and the stalls in the market open, people pour in: adults finishing the workday, students still carrying their backpacks, tourists from all over the world, and more. Everyone mixes together in the crowd. Usually, the Christmas markets are located around the city centers, so they're easy to get to on buses and trains. Some people also ride their bikes, though it's best to lock the bike outside the market itself because it’s so crowded.
Once inside the market, you’re surrounded by a sea of lights: the trees, the stall roofs and walls, the old-fashioned street lamps, everything glows.
