The Heidelberg Christmas Market with many new attractions

This year, once again, all of Heidelberg's Old Town will be aglow with the Christmas spirit.  From 28th November until 22nd December, romantics, mulled-wine experts and families will be able to enjoy the flair of the Christmas market, with over 140 stalls situated on large and small squares, daily between 11.00 and 21.00.  Everywhere in the Old Town, alongside the rich and varied handicraft selection, an array of attractions awaits guests both young and old.

The aroma of roast chestnuts, sugared almonds, cinnamon, cloves and mulled wine fills the air of the historic Neckar city.  The view of the Castle enjoyed over a cup of warming mulled wine, the festively decorated shops in the city centre and the typical, regional gastronomic offerings across many squares all blend together wonderfully with this most beautiful time of the year.  A festive cultural programme with many concerts, theatre and opera performances accompanies the Christmas hustle and bustle. 
For the first time, an ice rink at the foot of the Castle will transform Karlsplatz into a Christmas skating wonderland.

"For the Heidelberg Convention and Visitors Bureau Ltd (CVB), as organiser, it's about harmonising the beauty of Heidelberg and the Christmas market," emphasises Steffen Schmid, Event Manager, responsible for the organisation of the Christmas market.  "Therefore, we pay particular attention to the combination of the traditional and original, to ensuring a varied range of exhibitors and to the careful arrangement of the squares and attractions, especially with children in mind". 

On Bismarckplatz, which is well-served by public transport, Heidelberg's residents and visitors receive their first welcome to the Christmas market.  Even those in a real hurry will be tempted over a tasty snack or mulled wine on each of the small squares to take time out and visit the festive Old Town.

 
At the Anatomiegarten you will find the first charming little Christmas market in the Old Town.  Here, you can admire the unusual handicrafts on display and a woodcarver going about their work.  You can take a break from the shopping spree with a cup of mulled wine and a tasty sausage or crêpe. 

The Universitätsplatz is the heart of the Old Town.  Silk painting, pottery, hand-blown glass and fascinating gifts are to be seen here. Just like the days of old, the ostalgic carousel turns merrily round and round, while at the stall "Zum heiteren Christkind" you can find not only the famous Heidelberg mulled wine served in the annual commemorative Christmas market cup, but all the information you may need concerning the Christmas market.
A special tip: At this stall, you can also buy a special bottle of the Heidelberg mulled wine together with the Heidelberg cup in a presentation box - to be then enjoyed at home or given as a gift.  

 
This year: the little "Culture Christmas Market" for young and old, on the Theaterplatz, with the focus very much on children.  For the first time, the Heidelberg Theatre and Philharmonic Orchestra will introduce themselves at a stall and offer everyone interesting opportunities to meet artists, the team and many guests.  On top of that, there will be great gift ideas, Christmas cards, activities and lots of information for everybody interested in theatre and concerts.
Every day, there will be a fantastic programme on offer for children, while on each Advent Saturday and Sunday, visitors can look forward to a special seasonal surprise from the theatre and orchestra.

On the Marktplatz a village of wooden huts is gathered around the Hercules fountain, including the Heidelberg Christmas Pyramid, the new symbol of the Heidelberg Christmas market.  It has a diameter and height of over nine metres and rotating inside the tower are figures from Heidelberg's history: The Homo Heidelbergensis, Prince Elector Ruprecht I, Prince Elector Friedrich V and Elisabeth Stuart, Liselotte von der Pfalz, Robert Bunsen, the "Student Prince" and of course the Dwarf Perkeo. 

Around the tower, cinnamon stars are baked, almonds toasted and original gifts are on offer.  In the "Haus des Weihnachtsmanns" Santa Claus will be looking forward to greeting his little visitors and having his photograph taken with them.

 
This year, Kornmarkt, with its famous Madonna statue, is recommended for families. 
With its direct view of the Castle, it is not only one of the most beautiful historic squares in the Old Town, it is also the location of the Nativity Crib. Children are able to stroke the donkey and the sheep in the two accompanying stalls. They will also have the chance to see the woodcarvers, who will be  happy to explain their traditional craft as they carry out their work . The children's railway should also not be missed.  At the stalls are traditional Heidelberg honey products, original children's pullovers, wooden puzzles and much more. Children's punch, waffles, soups, traditional German sausages and other tasty snacks will satisfy appetites large and small, while the grown-ups can of course also enjoy some mulled wine!
 

A new attraction at the Heidelberg Christmas market is "Christmas on Ice" situated on Karlsplatz.  With a spectacular view of the Castle and surrounded by trees glistening with hundreds of stars, residents and guests can skate round the open-air ice rink to the accompaniment of Christmas music.  Skates and changing facilities will of course be available.  There will also be plenty of culinary treats to warm up with afterwards.

A great opening offer:  Children, pupils, students, senior citizens and people with disabilities can, upon presentation of appropriate ID, skate for free for the first session from 10.00, every day!  School classes and kindergarten groups need to register early on Tel. 0173-6292097.  The ice rink is open daily from 23rd November 2005 until 8th January 2006 between 10.00 and 22.00.

 
Another premiere and fascinating experience will be the Art-Advent Calendar at Heidelberg Castle, which has already decorated the Vienna City Hall and will be seen, for the very first time in Germany, here in Heidelberg.  From 1st to 24th December, the windows of the English building serve as a multidimensional advent calendar from behind which the works of prominent personalities will appear.
From the original works, backlit duplicates are produced and tailor-made to be integrated into the facade of the Heidelberg Castle.

 
A not-to-be-missed attraction of the Heidelberg Christmas Market Experience is the festive supporting programme offered by the churches, theatre and cultural centres.
The Grand Opening of the Christmas Market takes place on 28th November at 17.00 on the Marktplatz, and is a celebratory ceremony featuring choirs, trombones, the Heidelberg Christ Child and angels.  Afterwards, chiming bells invite you to an advent concert in the Church of the Holy Spirit, which is free to all.

 
Each advent weekend the churches present organ concerts, advent songs and Christmas music; the theatre and Heidelberg Philharmonic Orchestra celebrate premieres of opera, theatre and performances for children. The daily children's programme on the Theaterplatz, the "Haus des Weihnachtsmannes" on the Martktplatz, the little donkey and the sheep on the Kornmarkt, the ice-rink on Karlsplatz and crèche on advent Saturdays all underline the Heidelberg Christmas Market's commitment to be a celebration for the family.
The complete events calendar and information throughout the Christmas Market is to be found in the Internet at www.heidelberg-marketing.de.

 
Popular among guests, but also of interest to residents of Heidelberg who welcome visitors during the Christmas Market, is the reasonable flat-rate arrangement (Nov. 28-Dec. 22, 2007) offered by the Convention and Visitors Bureau:  "Christmas Market Special - stay 3 nights, pay for 2!"; This includes the following:  3 nights inclusive of breakfast in a hotel in the selected category; the Heidelberg Card (free public transportation in Heidelberg, free entry to the Castle and many museums; shopping and visits at advantageous  prices - and much more) for the duration of the stay; an information pack with Heidelberg guide including a city plan; and a mulled wine from the stall "Zum heiteren Christkind" served in an original Heidelberg Christmas market cup.
 
Prices per person:

Hotel category Standard:  Single  € 160,  Double  € 110
Hotel category Comfort:    Single  € 190,  Double  € 135
Hotel category First Class:Single  € 230,  Double  € 160

Further information:
Heidelberg Marketing GmbH
Ziegelhäuser Landstr. 3
69120 Heidelberg
Tel.: +49(0)6221-1422-0,
Fax : +49(0)6221-1422-22,
mailto: info@heidelberg-marketing.de
Internet: www.heidelberg-marketing.de