This year, in addition to shopping the Stuttgart market, we also visited two new-to-us markets: the Christmas market in Esslingen (which also boasts a popular medieval market alongside the Christmas market) and Tübingen's third Sunday of Advent Christmas market. Brian even took a little time off of work so we could enjoy the markets earlier in the day and avoid some of the bustling crowds.
We started December off right by heading downtown to the Stuttgart market. The weather was surprisingly mild for the first of December and it was a clear night, which was perfect for seeing the lights and enjoying some festive eats and drinks. Livi was content to sleep in the Ergo on Brian.
Ellie was fascinated by, if not a little wary of, the mechanical nutcracker.
Stuttgart's modern rathaus (city hall) uses the square windows that overlook the market square as their advent calendar for the season. The coat of arms from each of the city districts in Stuttgart is revealed.
This is what happens when I try to get a picture with Ellie.
A few days later, we were boarding the S-Bahn to Esslingen for their Christmas market.
A few days later, we were boarding the S-Bahn to Esslingen for their Christmas market.
Even though we don't get out there all that often, I do love Esslingen's old-town German feel.
As you can see, window advent calendars are not just limited to the Stuttgart rathaus.
Esslingen's market boasts a very popular Medieval maket in addition to the typical Christmas market fair. Here we found lots of people in Medieval costumes,
And we saw Pan walking around... no big deal.
Also of note, you can find the world's smallest hand-cranked ferris wheel calls at the Esslingen Christmas market. Unfortunately it was only for kids to ride and Ellie refused to get on. In her defense, the ferris wheel was really moving -- for being hand operated, those guys must be pretty strong!
I couldn't help myself.
The sign literally translates to "A beautiful ride for big and small." The German word for ride is "Fahrt" which sounds very similar to an English word that does not mean ride. We can't help but giggle every time we see it, which in German is just about every day.
I'm so glad we got out to Esslingen because it's probably the prettiest market we've been to yet.
My loves (again, Livi slept contentedly in the Ergo).
A better (?) attempt at a picture with my girl.
And it wouldn't be a German outing without a ride on the carousel.
Here are the only two pictures I managed to take on my phone from the Tübingen Christmas market on the third Sunday of advent. Tübingen's 2-day market boasts all (or mostly) handmade items, which makes it very popular... and very crowded. Hence, not a whole lot of picture taking. :)
Thank you Germany, for making Christmastime so beautiful.
Esslingen's market boasts a very popular Medieval maket in addition to the typical Christmas market fair. Here we found lots of people in Medieval costumes,
And we saw Pan walking around... no big deal.
Also of note, you can find the world's smallest hand-cranked ferris wheel calls at the Esslingen Christmas market. Unfortunately it was only for kids to ride and Ellie refused to get on. In her defense, the ferris wheel was really moving -- for being hand operated, those guys must be pretty strong!
I couldn't help myself.
The sign literally translates to "A beautiful ride for big and small." The German word for ride is "Fahrt" which sounds very similar to an English word that does not mean ride. We can't help but giggle every time we see it, which in German is just about every day.
I'm so glad we got out to Esslingen because it's probably the prettiest market we've been to yet.
My loves (again, Livi slept contentedly in the Ergo).
A better (?) attempt at a picture with my girl.
And it wouldn't be a German outing without a ride on the carousel.
Here are the only two pictures I managed to take on my phone from the Tübingen Christmas market on the third Sunday of advent. Tübingen's 2-day market boasts all (or mostly) handmade items, which makes it very popular... and very crowded. Hence, not a whole lot of picture taking. :)
Thank you Germany, for making Christmastime so beautiful.
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