About the Maastricht Christmas Market

The Maastricht Christmas Market is small yet cozy with activities for the whole family. Take in the holiday lights from above on the giant Ferris wheel or go for a spin on the ice skating rink. Indulge on all the Dutch treats such as stroopwafels, oliebollen, and Poffertjes. And, of course, make some space for mulled wine. The Maastricht Christmas Market is smaller than its neighbors in Brussels and Aachen, yet it has enough to see, do, and eat for the whole family to spend a fun afternoon. 

Shop with Local Producers

We also had the pleasure to meet local makers from the Limburg region at the Streekproducten-Limburg chalet, which offers an array of products from the local area. From goat milk yogurt to chocolate truffles, there are plenty of locally-made items you can buy for gifts or yourself! I purchased a home mushroom-making kit that I am super excited to try during my upcoming days off. I loved meeting local influencer Asrin-Sepideh Daoudi, who recently launched her line of vegan and gluten-free chocolates, Luxury DadelBonBons. She gave us a tour of the Streekproducten-Limburg Chalet and met several of the local vendors. 

Practical Info for the Masstricht Christmas Market 2021

Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions in The Netherlands, the Maastricht Christmas Market is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. I highly recommend you visit on a weekday to avoid crowds. Also, make sure to bring your Digital EU COVID-19 pass and ID as they check at the entry. 

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Now to the fun stuff. The Aachen Christmas Market or the Weihnachtsmarkt (German) is considered one of the most picturesque markets in Germany. The market extends to several squares across the city center. Come hungry and with your shopping list! There are plenty of stalls offering gifts, food, and of course drinks! We started with a warm mug of Glühwein (mulled wine). Served in an adorable boot-shaped mug, it makes the perfect souvenir to take home. When you purchase the Glühwein, you also pay for a deposit. Just in case you don’t want to keep the mug, you can return it and get your deposit back. 

Eating & Drinking at the Aachen Christmas Market

I feel that German cuisine doesn’t get the love it deserves sometimes compared to its other European neighbors. I lived in Stuttgart for a year and fell in love with the bread, cheese, and sausages. So, of course, I couldn’t resist buying a plate of currywurst, chopped sausage with a tangy curry-laced tomato sauce, and crispy fries. It also presents the opportunity to indulge in a proper German pilsner! Like I mentioned before, bring your appetite because there are plenty of treats at the Aachen Christmas Market! You can’t leave without a warm apple strudel, and there are plenty of stalls selling cookies, chocolates, and candies you can bring home. 

Practical Tips for the Aachen Christmas Market 2021

I highly recommend coming on a weekday. We went on a Wednesday night by car from Brussels, and it was a pretty smooth ride. However, we hear there can be horrible traffic getting into the city on the weekends, arriving by train may a better option. We could find parking easily at a parking garage just a twenty-minute walk from the Aachen Christmas Market. Make sure to bring cash since some vendors don’t accept cards! Also, don’t forget your ID, COVID vaccine information, your mask, and most importantly, your appetite! Be safe & have fun! 

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Grand Place, Brussels

Bourse, Brussels

Smoked Salmon at Saint Catherine Christmas Market

Saint Catherine Christmas Market

Ferris Wheel at Saint Catherine Christmas Market

Oyster Stand at Place Saint Catherine Christmas Market

Ice Skating, Place de la Monnaie

Oysters at the Christmas Market

Belgian Waffle at Place Saint Catherine

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During my time living in Europe, I spent six years of holiday seasons in Belgium and Germany. I instantly fell in love with how the cities came to life despite the cold. I truly enjoyed how it was all about the food, artisans, and less about the commercial influences you see in the United States. My first Christmas market experience was in the city center of Stuttgart.  I was amazed with the gorgeous decorations, beautifully set wooden shacks filled with nutcrackers, smell of the wurst cooking, and the warm, spicy taste of Glühwein (German mulled wine) on my lips.


At the Grand Place, Brussels

During my time in Brussels, I enjoyed going to Plaisirs d’Hivier, the Christmas market of  Brussels located in one of my favorite squares, Place Saint Catherine. It is not like the traditional Christmas markets you may see in Germany, but it has its own charm. It truly reflects the diversity of Brussels from the variety of the food and gift stands. Tip: While there, make sure to indulge in oysters, champagne, and warm Kriek (Belgian cherry beer). This market is for those who enjoy great food, so bring an empty stomach! For those with children, there is an ice skating rink and a Ferris Wheel to keep them entertained.

When I lived in Belgium, I loved the ease of crossing the border and being in a new country in 90 minutes.  My last winter in Belgium, I had the opportunity to go to Monschau, Germany for their popular market.  I love German villages.  I may be partial to my old Baden Würtemberg (southwest Germany), but the village is quite charming.  Although the village is small, the market is quite popular in the area.  Tip: the village has a quite organized park and ride system, which makes it easy to get into the market by bus without having to struggle for parking or deal with traffic. Once we reached the center of the market, it took me back to being a child, when I imagined what Santa’s town looked like.


The Market at Monschau

The market smelled spicy just as the Glühwein and Orangenpunsch it served.  Monschau is the setting of a fairytale: it sits on a hill, a river running through the city, and lined by beautiful cottages.. The first thing we did was rush to a wurst (sausage) stand and indulge, then we walked around the different stands and admired the beauty of a village which seems was built just to perpetuate the Christmas spirit.  The people at the stands were very friendly, just as I envisioned Santa’s helpers to be.  If you have a chance, make the drive to Monschau, it is an hour and a half drive from Brussels, it is a welcome breath of fresh air.

Stall at the Brussels Christmas Market

I wish you all a very happy holiday season and stay tuned for my holiday adventures back in Brussels, Netherlands, Budapest, and Vienna! Bonne Fêtes!
Information:
Monschau Christmas Market: http://www.monschau.de/
Stuttgart Christmas Market: http://www.stuttgarter-weihnachtsmarkt.de/
Brussels Christmas Market: http://www.bruxelles.be/artdet.cfm?id=4843&agendaid=59

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