Last Updated on 12/24/24 by Rose Palmer
What was my best Christmas present this year? A Christmas Market cruise on the fabled Rhine river with Riverside Luxury Cruises.
I grew up with a lot of German Christmas holiday traditions and it’s been my long time wish to experience the authentic Christmas Markets in Germany. My wish came true on a seven day Rhine River cruise from Amsterdam to Frankfurt where each day offered a new celebration of the holiday spirit.
I wrote a separate Riverside Debussy review about my luxury cruising experience with Riverside Luxury Cruises that provides plenty of details about the beautiful ship, the attentive service, the superb food, and the general ambiance on board. I especially appreciated the many holiday decorations on the ship which really added to the festive spirit.
My best Rhine River Christmas Market cruise experience
This story is all about our cruise’s daily excursions during Christmas Market season in the towns along the Rhine River.
All the Christmas markets had many features in common and seemed to focus mostly and food and drink. They all offered many of the same products: gingerbread hearts, roasted almonds, potato pancakes, crepes, roasted chestnuts, various sausages, beer, and of course, glühwein (mulled wine).
There is no such thing as too much glüwein (mulled wine)
There were also nativity scenes and large rotating “pyramid” towers with carved figures. However, the setting for each Christmas market was different, which is what made them all unique.
Duisburg Christmas Market
Duisburg was our first stop in Germany and we had the morning to discover its Christmas Market. Stretched out on Konigstrasse and Kuhstrasse, there were rows of wooden huts selling all the traditional Christmas market goodies, but they were spread out which meant there was a lot of room and it didn’t feel as congested.
Since we were visiting first thing in the morning after the market had just opened, it wasn’t busy at all. By lunchtime though, the food and drinks stalls were doing brisk business.
A Christmas Market hut aptly named “Sweet dreams”, selling gingerbread hearts, cotton candy, toasted almond, chocolate fruit, and other sweet goodies.
This hut was selling crepes and other sweet treats.
Glass Christmas balls adorn a hut selling French macarons.
The Käthe Wohlfahrt stores are famous for their Christmas ornaments and decorations.
Sweet glass ornaments for sale.
Even the trash cans were appropriately decorated.
Lots of spots to sit and enjoy our food and drink.
This ship that sold a variety of food and drink.
One of the many glühwein stalls.
A variety of other drinks were also available, like kirsch.
This was my favorite area for enjoying a drink
You can choose to buy the mugs and keep them or return them and get your deposit money back
Another really cute sitting area for enjoying a drink or two
There were also a few rides for the little ones
The Duisburg pyramid
The figures inside the pyramid rotated
There was also a nativity scene
Kids enjoying the ice skating rink that was part of the Christmas Market
Düsseldorf Christmas Market
The Düsseldorf Christmas Market was spread out across a few different streets and squares, which made it fun to explore. The centerpiece was a large ferris wheel in the Burgplatz (Tower Square) that lit up at night.
Once again, in the morning, the Christmas markets were quite empty. But when we went back at night, the markets were filled with revelers getting their fill of holiday cheer.
The ferris wheel towers over all the Christmas market huts
Lots of huts selling food, drinks, and trinkets
The Christmas market under the Castle Tower
The Christmas market in Düsseldorf’s historic Marktplatz
Many fresh cut Christmas trees decorated the Christmas markets
The Marktplatz Christmas market is reflected in a huge gold ball decorating the large fir tree in the square
The nativity is displayed in front of the 16th century City Hall
Tasting roasted chestnuts on an open fire
Lots of cute street food truck in the christmas Market along the riverfront
Lit up paper stars were a popular item for sale at the Christmas markets
The Christmas Market was magical at night
Rudesheim Christmas Market
After a day of scenic cruising through the Rhine River Gorge with all of its castles and vineyards, we enjoyed a few evening hours at the Rudesheim Christmas Market. The glühwein here was made with the traditional red wine or also with the regional white wine that Rudesheim is known for.
The Rudesheim Christmas Market set in the historic old town
Rudesheim is known for its half timbered houses which looked especially pretty all lit up for the holidays
Loved this craft shop selling old fashioned wooden toys
Christmas Market crepes are always a favorite
The Rudesheim Pyramid
Next to the Rudesheim nativity, a local musical group was singing and playing Christmas carols
Swiss raclette cheese is one of my favorites
Manheim Christmas Market
Manheim had three Christmas Market areas. The largest one encircled the historic Wasserturm (Water tower). It had all the usual vendors as well as a carousel, and a ferris wheel next to the Christmas Pyramid.
My favorite market was the one located along Kapuzinerplanken street with its stalls selling handcrafted and artisanal products. It was here that I purchased my Christmas market souvenirs: a hand carved santa cookie mold and a bottle of kirsch liquor.
The handicraft huts along Kapuzinerplanken street in Manheim
I bought the santa cookie mold in the middle
Cooking German brats for a crowd
The Christmas Market around the Wasserturm in Manheim
One of the many gluhwein vendors
I would have loved to take home some of the cheeses and sausages sold here
The ferris wheel and pyramid at the Manheim Christmas market
Mainz Christmas Market
From an ambiance perspective, the Christmas market in Mainz was my favorite. Set in the shadow of the 1000 year old Mainz Cathedral, the lit up Marktplatz (Market Square) was a joy to explore. Clearly I was not the only one that felt this way. It was a Friday evening and the square was packed with holiday revelers celebrating the end of the work week.
The Mainz Christmas Market backed by the Mainz Cathedral
Loved all the lighting at the Mainz Christmas market
The Mainz Christmas Market lights over a booth that sold lighted paper stars
The heart of the Mainz Christmas Market
The Mainz Christmas market pyramid
The Mainz music box with its 18 handcrafted angels wa a unique sight
The Christmas market in front of the old Gutenberg Museum (the museum has relocated)
It was fascinating to finally visit some of the German Christmas markets. Each of the markets were well attended by the locals as they celebrated the holiday season along with the tourists from the many riverboats cruising the Rhine River.
This was definitely a very special way to get into the Christmas spirit. doing a Christmas market river cruise made it very easy to enjoy a variety of Christmas markets, and doing this trip with Riverside Luxury Cruises made the whole experience extremely memorable.
Can’t wait to visit more Christmas markets in Europe next year.
Other Christmas stories I’ve written:
Yes, I really did meet Santa Clause: Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and I Met Him in North Pole (Alaska)
London in December was magical: Loved these 25 Festive Things to Do in London in December – No Bah Humbugs Here
Please note that my cruise on the Riverside Debussy was hosted by Riverside Luxury Cruises. All content is based on my own personal experiences and opinions.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
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