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Christmas Markets in Hamburg

Mon 24 Nov 2008 - Tue 23 Dec 2008

Visitors to Hamburg should not miss this year's Christmas market at the historical Rathausmarkt - or Town Hall Square - taking place between November 24th and December 23rd.

Featuring around 100 vendors, shoppers will be able to browse the "quaint cottages" serving as stalls, offering a broad range of traditional and modern gifts, from food and toys to unusual decorations for the Christmas tree back home.

Described as the "most charming" of the city's Christmas markets by the German National Tourist Office, the event may offer that special something for loved ones this festive season.

Locally crafted or handmade wares typically include pottery, silver, gingerbread and wood carvings, to name just a few.

Visitors can also catch a glimpse of Santa Claus riding his reindeer sleigh above the cottage roofs while enjoying a glass of the acclaimed 'Gluhwein' (mulled wine) and sampling fresh-baked seasonal 'printen' cookies or a roast apple.

Opening hours are 10:00 to 21:00 CET.

According to hamburg.de, the current 'Rathaus' was originally built in 1897 after the Great Fire of 1842 wiped out the Old Town Hall, which had stood for 550 years.

It later underwent restoration between 1987 and 1997 to give it the neo-renaissance exterior seen today.

Enjoy your Christmas shopping in Hamburg.

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