The Heidelberg Christmas Market by night, 2013

Living in Heidelberg is pretty awesome.  That lovely downtown area that tourists flock to is also a very much used part of the local culture.  It is a rare week that goes by when we are not down on the fussganger (pedestrian) zone for a doctor's appointment, a little shopping, etc.  This week I have already been there twice--for a doctor's appointment yesterday and meeting up with a math tutor for one of the kids today.  I forgot the camera today, so most of the photos are by night (which is lovely, though hard to capture on film).  I will try to get some day time photos sometime soon and make a second post.

So, when something special is going on, like the lovely Christmas Market--I get to see it without even making a special trip (though I fully admit that it is very hard to LEAVE downtown without spending extra time wandering and enjoying the market).

Heidelberg's market is spread out a bit.  There is a concentration of ten or so stalls right on Bismarkplatz, the main bus and tram arrival area at the edge of the walking district.  It is an excellent place to grab a quick snack or mug of gluhwein when changing tram or bus lines.  At night it looks extra festive with the lights on the big department store, Galeria Kaufhof as well.

Heading down the street, you will come to the next set of stalls, just a handful of food vendors (crepes, candy, brats, etc) in less than 5 minutes at a slow stroll (this photo was taken on the way TO the appointment, there's light!):

After a few more minutes, you get to universitatplatz, where a large number of stalls fill the plaza that heads off to your right as you walk towards the big church at the end of the pedestrian zone.  Here the stalls are mostly wooden, and in lighter colors.  You can buy almost anything here, both gifts and food or drinks to keep your energy level up while you shop, and in the center of this section you will find the larger of the two carousels, the only rides at the Heidelberg market.

Back out on the main drag, it is only a short walk further to the main downtown plaza around the old church.  The lit pyramid that rises up next to the church is the centerpiece of the market in my opinion, and the quaint stalls in this area are just adorable--I love how they seem to glow in the nighttime. There is also a smaller, wood carved carousel here:

Only a few steps further down, another, smaller plaza takes off to the right, and you find a sweet village of white tents and Christmas trees surrounding Heidelberg's statue of the Madonna.  

And, the finally piece of the wonderful, ongoing market is the ice rink just a bit beyond the snowy tents.  It sits right below the castle, which is lit at night and really lends an amazing atmosphere (and yet not one of my photos with the castle came out!  Boo!).  There is a hut to rent skates, and a covered "bar" area to sip your mulled wine or cocoa or eat your roasted potatoes, or giant cookie.  Skating is reasonably price at 3 euro for skate rental and 3 euro to skate.  

Sigh.  I never tire of visiting this market with one lovely little section after another.  Each area has its own theme and yet they all go together so well.  

I hope you enjoyed this little walk through the market with me.

--Hadley