Some German Christmas markets open amid COVID uncertainty

The "Christkindlesmarkt" sign will remain unlit this year. The historical Christmas market was supposed to open on November 26, but has been cancelled like all other Christmas markets in Bavaria because of the high number of COVID infections.

The 587th Dresden Striezelmarkt was scheduled to begin on November 22. Germany's oldest Christmas market, however, was called off at the very last minute. Saxony's auhorities have banned all fairs amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the eastern state.

Unlike Bavaria and Saxony, Berlin will let Christmas fairs open as planned. The city's Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market kicks off on November 22 with the so-called 2G rule ("geimpft oder genesen" — "vaccinated or recovered") in place. It's all about arts and crafts sold at a variety of stalls.

Heidelberg Christmas Market opened on November 18, with various stalls spread throughout the old town. One major attraction is the Heidelberg Barrel, a gigantic wooden structure housing a sales booth and small viewing platform. Heidelberg's Karlsplatz also boasts an ice rink. The 3G rule (vaccinated, recovered, tested) applies everywhere.

Dortmund Christmas Market kicked off on November 18. A towering 45-meter-high (148-foot-high) Christmas tree, built from over 1,000 spruces and weighing 40,000 kilograms (88,000 pounds), will once again adorn the fair. But this year, there is no traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremony as organizers wish to minimize crowds. The 2G rule applies throughout.

Various Christmas fairs will also be held in the city this year. Starting on November 22, merrymakers can sample a variety of certified organic and fair trade products at Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market. Here, as elsewhere in the city, revelers must heed the 2G rule.

After a one-year break, Stuttgart Christmas Market was set to reopen on November 24. Stuttgart authorities, however, called off the fair, citing security reasons. Mayor Frank Nopper has said with other regional markets axed, Stuttgart would have seen a major influx of additional guests creating an unmanageable coronavirus infection risk.

Spielbudenplatz, at the heart of Hamburg's pleasure district, has been transformed into a quirky Christmas market. Guests eager to experience the unconventional fair, boasting attractions like a mulled wine pharmacy, must nevertheless heed the 2G convention.

The 41st Trier Christmas Market was named "Germany's Best Christmas Market 2021" by the tourism platform "European Best Destinations." It opened on November 19 in compliance with the 2G rule, to people fully vaccinated or recovered. In front of Trier Cathedral, on the medieval main market, visitors can enjoy stalls with regional specialties such as "Glühviez" (mulled apple wine) and handicrafts.

Next to the historic Christmas market in the old town center, there's an indoor fair in the former Holy Spirit Hospital buildung (pictured here). The profits from this arts and crafts market go to charities. The 2G rule applies at all of Lübeck's Christmas markets, and face-masks are mandatory indoors.