The Beautiful Aachen Christmas Market in front of beautiful scenery. As part of series Afropean Safari, Africa Web TV’s Aureliarita Marcellus, Phay Mutepa & Bayo Fayemi explored this traditional market, made new friends and discovered a bit of Africa in Germany!
4 weeks before Christmas, the squares and lanes around Aachen Cathedral and the town hall are transformed into a Christmas village and a meeting place for Aacheners and visitors to the city. Twinkling lights and the scent of mulled wine and Aachener Printen (gingerbread) wherever you go . Aachen Christmas market has regularly made it to the top ten Best Christmas Markets in Europe in recent years.
Every year, the squares and alleyways around the cathedral and town hall become a real treat for the senses in the run-up to Christmas. Aachen’s festive market is known and loved far beyond the region for its special and authentic atmosphere. After dark in particular, the floodlit cathedral and town hall provide an impressive backdrop for the Christmas market experience. Visitors should definitely try the famous Printen cake, which is exported all around the world. According to the organisers, the market attracts around 1.5 million visitors every year – including those who have made the journey from the Netherlands, Belgium, France and United Kingdom.
The carousel is a must for the children as is the mulled wine for the adults. Potato fritters are eaten at all times of the day. The tradition of the Christmas Market goes back to the seventies.
As with other Christmas markets in Germany, the emphasis is on traditional Christmas decorations, wooden toys, and handmade items. Mass-produced plastic items and low-quality clothes are generally not sold at German Christmas markets – prices are therefore not that cheap but quality and workmanship high.
The Christmas Market in Aachen operates daily from late November to December 23 from 11 am to 9 pm. Admission is free.
