Sankt Wendel (St. Wendel) Christmas Market

We heard so many positive things about the St. Wendel Christmas Market we just had to check it out. It was about 45 minutes from our house. Parking was super easy.  We found a parking spot at the first open parking garage we found. It was pretty awesome.  It was 2 blocks from the market. This market has two different sections a Traditional Market and a Medieval one.  There were lots of live performers, and shows all through out the day.  The kids got to go sledding, and archery. One of the shows I was so excited for was every day at 4pm the Wisemen riding camels to the live nativity.  Unfortunately, for whatever reason they didn't ride the camels or have a live nativity the day we went.  Bummer!  We did get to see the Wisemen and the camels.  Maybe next year we will get to see them ride the camels to the live nativity.

The kids love the Reindeer.  

Look how fun this roof is. 

The biggest Christmas Tree so far.

Awe, I love this man! It was so fun to share this adventure with the love of my life.
PS. This is a super cute picture of us.

There is an entire street dedicated to nativities it was amazing. 

The next several pictures are of the Medieval Market. 

We got to watch a fun little German Play.  It was pretty hilarious.
We couldn't understand what they were saying but the facial expressions and acting was wonderful.

Now we are back at the Traditional Market for the next several pictures. 

St. Wendel 40 foot  Christmas Pyramid.

This is a life size nutcracker.

Jeremy was so excited to eat Roasted Chestnuts.

Here is the St. Wendel Christmas mug.  

At 7:00pm we watched an amazing fire show.  These guys were awesome!
They played with fire for 20 minutes. All kinds of tricks and flips. 

These circular fire wands spit out fireworks. 

These guys really got all into this performance.  Costumes, makeup it was fascinating. 

The markets really come alive at night with all their lights.
Beautiful!
Do you see the brass quintet on the church?

Heidleberg Christmas Market

The second market we went to on Saturday was Heidelberg it took 30 minutes to  drive from Mannheim to Heidelberg.  Parking in Heidelberg was a little tricky.  We tried to find parking around the market and it was packed.  We ended up waiting in a line for about 40 minutes to get into the parking garage a couple block from the market.  Good thing we were with our friends because we had so much fun just waiting, talking, and singing songs.
I loved that I had been to Heidelberg and knew where I was and how to get to the Castle.  *Note to self always explore the city before the Christmas markets so you can navigate.
Heidelberg blew my mind.  They had 5 different Christmas markets.  It was amazing!  Not only was the market huge but having the castle in the background was breathtaking.  I loved that the lights on the castle changed colors. Green, Red, Purple. This is one of my favorite towns in Germany.
After we got finished with the markets in the streets we hiked up to the castle.  Oh my gosh it was gorgeous.  I love this castle,it's so majestic. Unfortunately the market at the castle was closing at 9:30pm. So next year we will have to hit the castle market first.  I can't wait to go back next year.

I loved this booth full of Stars. I love how all the Markets have different roofs .
So fun and I love to look at all of them. 

Santa on his sled ready to deliver Christmas cheer.

It was so busy.  So many people.  

Here is the mug for Heidelberg.
We kept this mug because look at the heart shaped handle.
Way too cute! 

Brooklyn and Emma rode the Merry Go Round a couple times.

They had this going so fast.  I was getting sick just watching them.
UGGHH  I do not like Merry Go Rounds.

Rebekah and I waiting for the girls to get finished with the Merry Go  Round.
Friends are perfect!

Here is the Heidelberg Pyramid.

This was one of my favorite foods.  I'm not sure what its' called.
It's a tower of potatoes.  They were delicious and they had a couple different
dipping sauces. 

How cute is this tree and mugs? 

Emma & Brooklyn round two of the Merry Go Round.
This was in one of the other markets in Heidelberg. 

Here is Brooklyn in another Market.

They had shooting stars in all the alleys of the markets. 

This was another part of the Main market.

Brooklyn & Emma with the castle in the background.
BEAUTIFUL!

Tina and Brooklyn with the Castle

Beautiful view of the Heidelberg Castle at night.  So Majestic!

The Heidelberg market has an iceskating rink!
Impressive.  We did not ice skate but cool to know that we could if we wanted to.

This was the entrance to the Castle

Tanae and Alexia

Me and my girl.

Beautiful Heidelberg Castle all lit up.

View from the castle looking down on the market.

This is one of my favorite pictures of the Castle.

The castle and the market from the side street.  

The market up at the Castle.
We had a wonderful time with our friends.