1 Press Release Magical Christmas in Braunschweig Every year, the squares around St. Blasii Cathedral are transformed into a beautiful Christmas market with elegant illuminations and a delightful atmosphere. Between 25 November and 29 December 2015, 150 artisans and vendors will open their lovingly decorated stalls against an impressive historical backdrop. They offer a broad range of gifts such as wooden toys, jewellery creations, fur-lined leather goods and illuminated Christmas stars. Culinary delicacies from the region and around the world are always popular favourites during the holidays. With its 500-year tradition, the Braunschweig Christmas Market is amongst the most attractive and atmospheric Christmas markets in all of Germany. Each year, it attracts several hundred thousand visitors. Rafts in the historic moat An attractive and popular meeting point is Castle Dankwarderode’s historic moat, with its roofed wooden rafts. Lighting effects on a glittering bed of glass make the moat behind the castle seem to sparkle with the ghost of water now long gone. Set at a little distance from the busy hubbub of the market, the rafts offer enough room for groups to enjoy their hot drinks together and experience a quieter side of the Braunschweig Christmas Market. A look behind the scenes This city tour is a little different from the rest and will provide answers to many interesting questions about this traditional Christmas market. A guide will explain the background of the historic places all around the site of today’s market and introduce the visitors to vendors who will provide insight into their professional lives while sharing a few colourful anecdotes. If you would like to learn more about the city while visiting Braunschweig and its gorgeous Christmas market, you can choose from variety of original and unique guided tours. The Touristinfo will be happy to offer you a personalised package that will take you on an entertaining and informative journey of discovery through the Lion City and its rich history. Magical sights from on high If you would like to see the Lion City and the Christmas market from an unusual perspective, climbing the 61-metre town hall tower is well worth the effort. 161 steps later, you will be rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view. You can climb the tower either on your own or as part of a professional city tour. Cultural programme at St. Blasii Cathedral 1 Braunschweig Stadtmarketing GmbH in brief Braunschweig Stadtmarketing GmbH is a fully-owned subsidiary of the city of Braunschweig. The company has 39 employees working in its three business segments Tourism-, City- and Location Marketing. Together with partners from economy, sciences and culture, as well as with citizens and the city government the company implements city marketing initiatives for Braunschweig. Supervisory Board Chairman: Christian A. Geiger, CEO: Gerold Leppa. Press contact Juliane Meinecke, Braunschweig Stadtmarketing GmbH, Schild 4, 38100 Braunschweig, Phone +49 (0) 531 4 70 32 40, Fax +49 (0) 531 4 70 44 45, E-Mail juliane.meinecke@braunschweig.de. www.braunschweig.de/english 2 Press Release A special cultural treat is Christmas Culture Week at St. Blasii Cathedral, at the heart of the Christmas market. From 12 to 20 December, visitors can enjoy a tradition-steeped programme of festive choir and instrumental performances, as well as atmospheric evenings of Christmas carols. Arts, crafts and more Children can look forward to theater performances and fairy tale readings at Braunschweig’s Christmas market. Another attractive option for young visitors is the Christmas workshop where they can colour and create handicrafts under professional guidance, or the Christmas bake-house for making – and tasting – delicious Christmas biscuits. We are sure that your youngsters will fondly remember their visit to the Braunschweig Christmas Market. Gift hunting in the inner city When it comes to Christmas shopping, visitors to the Christmas market can also take advantage of its central location. The numerous owner-managed specialist shops and large chain stores of Braunschweig’s popular shopping area are only a short stroll away. With such a broad selection of market stalls and inner city shops to choose from, you are guaranteed to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Braunschweig, the Christmas City During the Christmas season, visitors to the Lion City have the atmospheric Christmas Market to look forward to, but the city centre has even more to offer in the way of seasonal entertainment. From November 19 to December 28, the Winter Theatre with its various performances is sure to get you in a festive mood. The programme includes the “Braunschweig Christmas Story”, a merry and engaging adventure for children, parents and grandparents alike. Under the motto “Ice Magic”, Kohlmarkt Square will be transformed into a 500 m2 ice-skating rink with atmospheric lighting. From November 25 to January 6, young and old can skate to their heart’s content and warm up over a hot drink. A number of excellent museums will make for an eventful stay in the Lion City. The Braunschweigische Landesmuseum, for example, located right on Burgplatz Square, by the Christmas Market, will be hosting “40 Years of Playmobil”, an exhibition about the popular German toys. And last but not least, several theatres in Braunschweig – particularly the renowned Staatstheater – round out the Christmas season’s cultural calendar with their diverse range of programmes. Opening times 25 November to 29 December 2015 2 Braunschweig Stadtmarketing GmbH in brief Braunschweig Stadtmarketing GmbH is a fully-owned subsidiary of the city of Braunschweig. The company has 39 employees working in its three business segments Tourism-, City- and Location Marketing. Together with partners from economy, sciences and culture, as well as with citizens and the city government the company implements city marketing initiatives for Braunschweig. Supervisory Board Chairman: Christian A. Geiger, CEO: Gerold Leppa. Press contact Juliane Meinecke, Braunschweig Stadtmarketing GmbH, Schild 4, 38100 Braunschweig, Phone +49 (0) 531 4 70 32 40, Fax +49 (0) 531 4 70 44 45, E-Mail juliane.meinecke@braunschweig.de. www.braunschweig.de/english 3 Press Release The Braunschweig Christmas Market is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays and holidays, closed only on December 24 and 25. www.braunschweig.de/christmasmarket Contact: Braunschweig Stadtmarketing GmbH – Touristinfo Kleine Burg 14 D-38100 Braunschweig Tlf.: +49 531 4702040 Fax: +49 531 4702044 touristinfo@braunschweig.de www.braunschweig.de 3 Braunschweig Stadtmarketing GmbH in brief Braunschweig Stadtmarketing GmbH is a fully-owned subsidiary of the city of Braunschweig. The company has 39 employees working in its three business segments Tourism-, City- and Location Marketing. Together with partners from economy, sciences and culture, as well as with citizens and the city government the company implements city marketing initiatives for Braunschweig. Supervisory Board Chairman: Christian A. Geiger, CEO: Gerold Leppa. Press contact Juliane Meinecke, Braunschweig Stadtmarketing GmbH, Schild 4, 38100 Braunschweig, Phone +49 (0) 531 4 70 32 40, Fax +49 (0) 531 4 70 44 45, E-Mail juliane.meinecke@braunschweig.de. www.braunschweig.de/english