The city decorates itself with the Christmas markets at the Rathausmarkt (in front of the town hall), Gerhardt-Hauptmann-Platz, in the Spitalerstrasse, the one around the Petrikirche and last but not least the one at the Gänsemarkt.

The scent of roasted almonds and sweet chestnuts as well as the tasty flavour of cinnamon and Glühwein (hot mulled wine) rise into the noses of the visitors strolling at ease through these winterly markets. At the Mönckebergbrunnen 10000 candles illuminate a 60 feet high Christmas tree. 150 merchants entice customers into downtown.

The Hanseatic Christmas market at Gänsemarkt is perhaps the most popular of all Hamburg’s markets due to its special appearance, the classical arts and crafts, the wide variety of toys and the marvellous Christmas decorations. Food and drinks are served in a nice and familiar atmosphere. Every day at six o´clock the famous Alsterspatzen-choir sings, and a story teller reads fairytales.

While the adults go shopping, the children have the possibility to take part in many activities on one of the five fairytale-steamers on the Alster Lake, each beautifully decorated as a unique wonderland.

The shops in the shopping-streets and malls in downtown are open untill 6pm on each of the four Saturdays before Christmas. Street bands playing Christmas songs and the beautiful decorations create an atmosphere in which the word stress does not exist. The shoppers stroll relaxed through the streets and malls gathering inspiration from the window displays. But Hamburg's shopping arcades are not just a shopper's mecca; they are also an architectural wonder world. Marble, redbrick, steel and glass set the scene. The network of covered shopping arcades in the city centre is closely interlinked. You can almost tour them all without getting your feet wet.