GRAFENWOEHR, Germany -- During the Christmas season, Germany's tinsel-strung villages, candlelight shopping and sugary treats can brighten even the most dedicated scrooge.
But, it's the Christmas markets that will turn them into holiday die-hards. At the markets, or Weihnachtsmarkten, vendors set up festive stalls selling nutcrackers, ornaments, jewelry, clothes and even weapons. Gluehwein -- hot mulled wine -- and punch warm shoppers as they browse.
Smaller villages host Christmas markets for just a weekend or two, while markets in larger towns and cities stay open all season long.
Listed below are some of the Christmas markets near U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, along with Dresden's market. For a more complete listing, head here: http://issuu.com/kimgillespie/docs/14afn-pao-christmasmarkets
Amberg
Nov. 27-Dec. 23: Highlights are daily live performances, a horse-drawn carriage, a live nativity scene, and a children's program. Mon-Wed 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Thurs-Sat, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m., Sun 1-8 p.m.
Auerbach
Dec. 6-7: Up to 70 artisans display and sell their goods in traditional wooden huts at this Christmas market at the Mining Museum, or Bergbaumuseum Maffei. The market's grand finale is a traditional festive parade of former miners, illuminated by torches and candles. Open Sat 1-9 p.m., Sun 1-8 p.m. Admission is 2 euros per person.
Bamberg
Nov. 27-Dec. 23: Bamberg's Christmas Market dates back to the beginning of the 19th century. Nowadays, around 50 vendors sell a variety of Christmas decorations and treats. Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Dec. 13-14: Historical artisans market at Schloss Geyerswoerth mansion in Bamberg.
Bayreuth
Nov. 28-Dec. 23: Over 60 stalls offer traditional Christmas market fare. The grand opening is Friday, Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. Regular hours are Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Dresden
Nov. 27-Dec. 24: One of Germany's oldest and best-known Christmas markets has lit up this Saxon city for over half a millennium. The market attracts almost 2 million browsers every year. Daily, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Nov. 30-Dec. 24: The market will add festive cheer to the pedestrian zone, daily 11 a.m.-8 p.m. On Christmas Eve, it will only be open 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Grafenwoehr
Dec. 8: The grand German-American opening is at 2 p.m., with the Christkind and the German Elementary School children's choir. Santa Claus and the German Nikolaus will visit at 4:30 p.m. and give little Christmas packages to the children. A horse-drawn carriage will roll through Grafenwoehr starting at 2 p.m. A nativity scene will be displayed at the Rathaus. The market will last until 10 p.m.
Guteneck Mansion
Nov. 29-30 / Dec. 6-7 / Dec. 12-14 / Dec. 19-21: Medieval and romantic, this Christmas market gives you the opportunity to watch craftsmen make the wares, listen to medieval musicians and watch dance performances. Children can even ride a camel. Fri, 4-9 p.m.; Sat 2 - 9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Three euros per person on Fri; 4 euros on Sat; and 5 euros on Sun. Children under 12 are free. Guteneck mansion is near Nabburg.
Nuremberg
Nov. 28-Dec. 24: The Nuremberg Christmas Market is one of Germany's biggest and most famous. The red and white stalls line the Marktplatz, their vendors hawking Christmas decorations, artisan wares, jewelry, food and gluehwein. Nuremberg also has a children's market nearby with rides and kid-centric activities. Opening day, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. with grand opening at 5:30 p.m. All other days, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Christmas Eve, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nuremberg has multiple Christmas markets throughout the city. Check out the links for the full listing.
Regensburg
Nov. 27-Dec. 23: Regensburg hosts a Romantic Christmas Market at the Thurn and Taxis palace on the Emmeramsplatz. Thousands of candles, torches and lanterns illuminate the impressive courtyard and surround an imposing Christmas tree. Thu-Sat, midday-11 p.m.; Sun-Wed., midday-10 p.m.
Regensburg has another Christmas Market at the Neupfarrplatz pedestrian zone. Wednesdays are children's days when Saint Nikolaus will make an appearance after 2 p.m. Sun-Wed midday-8 p.m., Thu-Sat, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Admission is 6.50 euro per person, Mon-Fri and 8.50 euro per person on the weekends. Children, 6-16 years, are 2 euro. Groups of 10 people receive one ticket for free.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Nov. 28-Dec. 23: Every year Rothenburg transforms into a winter wonderland at the Reiterlesmarkt Christmas market. This Market dates back to the 15th century and incorporates an old Teutonic legend. Before Christianity, the Teutons believed in a rider who would take care of a deceased person's soul. While the Teutons were afraid of this mystic figure, people in the middle ages saw him as a friendly messenger bearing gifts. A painting of this famous rider can be seen on the facade of the city hall. The grand opening is Nov. 28, at 5 p.m. on the Marktplatz. Sun-Thu, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri and Sat, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Schmidmuehlen
Nov. 29-30: The Christmas market will be around the Kirchplatz or church square in the town center. Opens Sat at 4 p.m., Sun at 1 p.m.
Vilseck
Dec. 6-7: The Burg Dagestein castle's inner courtyard holds a market with varied booths and groups performing Christmas dances and songs. Opening hours: Sat., 4:30-9 p.m. Sun, 2-7 p.m.
Weiden
Nov. 27-Dec. 23: In Weiden's Altstadt, the Christmas market has been held annually since 1576. Today, it offers free entertainment at around 6 p.m. on the steps of the Old City Hall. The City Hall itself is turned into an advent calendar. Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Editor's Note: Silvia Wilczek contributed to reporting.
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