While we normally don’t visit places twice the cute Dudeldorf Christmas Market is close and worth visiting each year. It’s only open one weekend each year so make sure you have it on your calendar if you want to go. Plus it’s kinda nostalgic for us because we arrived just over a year ago on a Sunday and visited this market on the following Saturday, it was our first day trip and Christmas Market in Germany! Last year we went in the evening, you can read about it here
As always the parking is crazy, to say the least! Go early if you want to get somewhat close spot! Parking is free but requires some patience and great parking skills, LOL! Take your smallest vehicle.
One of the neat things about the Dudeldorf Christmas Market is that each vendor is supposed to be selling at least 1 homemade item, this helps to bring a variety of items and keep you from seeing all the same stuff.
The Dudeldorf souvenir mugs were not available when we went on Sunday so next year we plan to go early on Saturday to get one. We found that Sunday around opening time parking was reasonably easy and it wasn’t overly crowded. However when we were leaving on Sunday around 2:30 pm it was starting to get crowded. Last year we were there on a Saturday night and it was crowded. So go early if you want to avoid the crowds. You could drink out of these ones but they were not to take home.
Another unique thing about Dudeldorf is that the vendors sell out of garages & houses, which makes it a bit warmer BUT it also causes for some queues and my least favorite part crowding! I hate being smashed like a sardine and trying to look at stuff, so not fun. Luckily we managed to avoid the overcrowded ones by going early.
The food there was yummy as always. I had the yummy mushrooms with the awesome sauce, they were however way too many for me to eat and Mr. B does not eat mushrooms. We also had lumpia, and Mr. B had a brat, pics below:
The mushrooms were €4 for a large serving! Could easily be split with 2 or more people, they also gave you a slice of bread, which I did not eat.
Lumpia was €1,50 for a large one, kinder punch (hot cider) was €1-2 depending on the booth. The above meat stand always has a long line so we have’t tried it yet but it must be good right?!
The huge brat was €5 it always cracks me up how the brat is longer than the bun!
We found a neat little spot tucked away in the burg selling hot cider (non-alcoholic) and a few treats. It’s a great place to sit with some heaters and warm but I’m sure it can get crowded at busy times. We did not even find this the first time we visited the Christmas Market, we found that it’s much easier to see it all in the daylight. They have mugs here but they are to be returned after you drink your drink.
Outside view of the above place. Great place for a ‘selfie’ too 😉
There was a booth selling fresh wreaths, holly, & mistletoe. We got some mistletoe for €1.
We caught this band coming into the market area as we were leaving.
Know Before You Go:
What: Christmas Market in Dudeldorf, Germany.
How To Get There: It’s about 6 minutes from Spangdahlem and 1 hour 20 minutes from Ramstein.
Parking: I won’t lie the parking here is crazy! You’ll have to find a spot lining the streets and if you arrive late you may have to park on the road leading in the other village. The parking is my least favorite thing about this market.
Cost: Take Euro, amount depends on if you’ll be eating and shopping the market. They have some yummy food and great vendors to shop from.
Traveling with little kids: This christmas market gets crowded! If you can wear your baby it would be best, there were people with strollers when I went running over other people.
Dogs: Are allowed but please make sure you pick up after them!
How long: Plan on at least 1 hour, longer depending on how interested you are in the stalls and food vendors.
Where to find info: Above links
Ooo I love these markets so much. I got to go to some as a kid. Loved the food!