Anticipation to the power of three. How to get into the Christmas spirit!

Enjoyment with all the senses

Advent has begun, but you're not quite in the mood yet? Maybe you just haven't been in the right place at the right time. Yes, of course, there's no snow, but who wants to complain when Düsseldorf really does have a lot to offer in terms of pre-Christmas activities, without reaching into the tinsel pot like a cliché? Does Christmas have a sound for you, a scent or is it associated with a certain setting? Why not take some time out and go in search of your own personal (pre-)Christmas scenario? Here are three suggestions on how you can shorten the time until Christmas and fill it with joyful experiences. 

Visit the Christmas market

The shorter the days, the more you feel it: the need for the proverbial nourishment for body and soul. Where can you find it if not at the Christmas market? And it's not just the mulled wine, although the hot drink is of course one of the absolute Christmas market classics (particularly delicious: the white version, which you can get at the craft market in front of Düsseldorf's town hall, among other places). What matters is the sum of the individual parts, and these come together perfectly at the six themed markets in Düsseldorf's city center - to create a large, festively decorated, fragrant Christmas world that stretches from Burgplatz to Schadowstraße. But if you fancy hot chestnuts, crêpes or waffles, can't say no to a freshly grilled bratwurst and your search for the perfect gift for your loved ones for the festive season hasn't gone satisfactorily yet, it's well worth making a detour to one of the district markets - especially the Benrath Castle Christmas Market. The stalls in the small wooden huts on the castle forecourt are open at weekends until December 18. The offerings range from handicrafts, high-quality wool products and amber jewelry to natural cosmetics and truffle oil. Special delicacies such as flamed salmon, curly fries or Japanese food are also available for refreshment. The romantic castle backdrop is on top. If you're already in Benrath, why not stop by the Christmas village in the pedestrian zone? Or you can move from the south of Düsseldorf to the north: In historic Kaiserswerth, the Christmas market opens daily on Klemensplatz until 30.12. It's best to make a note of the first Sunday in Advent, when the local stores also open on Sundays. Just like in Oberkassel, where a small Christmas village awaits you at the entrance to Belsenpark until 23.12. Three event highlights here: Live music, Punch and Judy show and children's cinema. And if you love the neighbourly atmosphere on Nordstraße, you are sure to find an opportunity to chat at one of the 30 or so Christmas market stalls that will be dotted around the Pempelfort shopping mile until 30.12.

Enjoy the magic of lights

It sparkles and glitters and shines in pre-Christmas splendor - even in times like these, we don't want to do without magical moments of light completely. And fortunately, we don't have to. Because of course the Christmas markets are not in the dark this year either. On the contrary: once again, the formula "less is more" is proving true. Less spectacle, more genuine coziness reigns in many places, and that's where the festive spirit gathers and gazes soulfully at the fir tree decorated with fairy lights or the originally illuminated façade. This year, the previously mentioned Benrath Castle Christmas market - a fairytale setting - and the craftsmen's market in front of Düsseldorf Town Hall probably share first place in terms of atmospheric lighting. The reason here is twofold: on the square at the foot of Jan Wellem stands a magnificent fir tree hung with fairy lights, red baubles and golden stars, surrounded by a considerable number of smaller trees, and the town hall is also festively decorated and illuminated. The huts of the artisan market echo the style of the Renaissance building, which makes the picture even more atmospheric. Another "bright spot" awaits you just around the corner: the "Wheel of Vision" Ferris wheel on Burgplatz. It is not only beautifully illuminated. You can also take a ride and enjoy the city lights from a height of 55 meters (until 8.1.). Your contribution to the glittering lights: near the Christmas market stalls in front of the Ferris wheel is a bicycle to generate electricity for the Christmas tree lights. Anyone can pedal. In contrast, you can marvel passively at the mighty "tree" in the Schadow Arkaden, which looks perfectly futuristic: An installation "floats" under the glass dome in the center of the shopping gallery, equipped with thousands of LEDs and glass spheres in bright colors. Very impressive and absolutely instagrammable. The tree in the shop window of a luxury designer on the neighboring Kö manages completely without illumination. It consists of many small Lego bricks.   

Listen to a Christmas concert

Did you know that Düsseldorf has around 200 concert-ready organs? So if you'd like a little break from the pre-Christmas hustle and bustle, why not attend an organ concert? Losing yourself in the music and completely surrendering to the sound of the mighty instrument is uplifting and makes you feel warm and cozy, even without tea or mulled wine. The "International Organ Concerts" in the Basilica of St. Lambertus in the old town have been a tradition for over 20 years. Every first Monday of the month, you can experience the large Rieger organ in action, built in the style of French cathedral organs. The weekly "Market Music" series has been taking place on Saturdays at 11.30 a.m. in the Maxkirche since 1980 - an organ concert that can be perfectly combined with a subsequent stroll through the neighboring Carlsplatz, where you can look for the right ingredients for your Christmas menu. But do you agree with us? Without Bach's "Christmas Oratorio", something would be missing in the dark season. The Church of the Resurrection in Oberkassel has scheduled this classic for December 11. Would you prefer to sing yourself? The Rhine metropolis has a lot to offer in December - from the more traditional "Christmas singing for the whole family" to the "Pre-Christmas Düsseldorf pack singing". Or how about an Advent concert at the Haus der Universität on Schadowplatz, where the brass ensemble of the Robert Schumann Hochschule and the next generation of professional musicians will be performing? If you want it even more dynamic: Porno al Forno will be on stage on December 10, the Christmas gigs of the well-known combo are legendary. This time, however, the band will be supporting their Meerbusch colleagues Massendefekt for their 21st anniversary. The Broilers hit the stage twice: The Düsseldorf punk rockers invite you to "Santa's Action Club" on 22 and 23 December. The flyer promises 70% escalation, 30% contemplation. With this in mind: Merry Christmas!

This article is funded by REACT-EU.

Pictures: Düsseldorf Tourism