Bernkastel-Kues’ Weihnachtsmarkt and Highlight Events:
Bernkastel Marktplatz
The medieval Marktplatz (market square) of Bernkastel-Kues must be one of the prettiest settings for a Christmas market. The square is small and cozy and the forty or so market stalls are set up against the backdrop of Bernkastel’s charming timber-framed buildings.
Bernkastel Weihnachtsmarkt
Bernkastel Christmas ©Travelsignposts
Bernkastel’s Christmas market starts on the November 22 and runs everyday till December 22. To facilitate the countdown to Christmas Day, Bernkastel has the largest advent calendar in the region. Each evening (from December 1 – 24) at 5:30 pm one of the numbered windows of Adler Apotheke is opened to reveal a festive scene.
Some usual events (subject to confirmation) of Bernkastel’s Weihnachtsmarkt include :
- Guided tour and wine-tasting lead by the “Bernkasteler Doctor”, well someone dressed up as the famous doctor anyway.
- An official opening of the Christmas market
- Advent carol singing
- Advent boat tour with hot drinks and Christmas stollen
Highlight Events
– Launching of the Christmas Market in the Marktplatz.
– The traditional annual 10-kilometre St. Nicholas hike around Bernkastel-Kues will take place on Sunday, December 1st. Setting off from Marktplatz, the walkers are led by the knights from Landshut Castle.
– The spectacular “Fackelschwimmen” (torchlight swim) is one of the main attractions of the Bernkastel Christmas Market. Members of the local “Oktopus diving club” plunge into the icy Moselle river, carrying lit torches to guide the way for St. Nicholas in his boat. As the swimmers arrive, St. Nicholas hands out chocolate Santas to children on the banks of the Moselle in Bernkastel.
– As with all good celebrations, there will be fireworks display.
– The opening of the last calendar window
With Christmas markets, there is mulled wine and Bernkastel has plenty of wine. They do a white mulled wine made from Mosel Riesling wines and a red mulled wine from the Dornfelder grape.
How to Get to Bernkastel-Kues
The closest airport to Bernkastel-Kues is Frankfurt-Hahn Airport. There is no direct railway or bus connection from the airport to Bernkastel-Kues, however there are buses from the airport to certain railway stations where the Deutsche-Bahn integrated rail and bus services will get you to Bernkastel-Kues.
Where to stay in Bernkastel
There are many charming family-run and traditional hotels in the heart of the old town such as the Hotel Römischer Kaiser and the Hotel Doctor Weinstube which I rather like (see my post Here). For the complete list of Bernkastel-Kues hotels, see Here.
Event: Bernkastel Weihnachtsmarkt 2024
Venue: Bernkastel Marktplatz
Dates: November 22 – December 22, 2024
Time : Sun-Thur 11:00 – 19:00 | Sat & Sun 11:00 – 21:00
Website: www.weihnachtsmarkt-bernkastel-kues.de
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