From the 25th November to 30th of December from the HafenCity over the town hall market up to the legendary Reeperbahn the city shines in bright lights and turns into a winter wonderland. More than six million visitors will visit the markets in the Advent season and enjoy the shopping opportunities as well as the maritime atmosphere of the Christmas Capital of the North.

The total of 15, partly continuous with each other, markets offer Christmas cheer for everyone: romantics visit the Historical Christmas market, designed by Roncalli - director Bernhard Paul on the town hall market with its themed alleys and flying Santa Claus. The markets on Fleet Island and on Jungfernstieg, right on Inner Alster and canals, exude maritime flair. In between additional markets tempt you to pause the Christmas shopping.

The other Hamburg Christmas markets take place on the Reeperbahn with the sexy "Santa Pauli" Christmas market on the Spielbudenplatz, and the St. Georg district nearby the train station. Here, the pre-Christmas period is pink - red when the "Winter Pride" market welcomes its visitors. Design lovers should not miss the stalls of the market around the Überseeboulevard in the cool HafenCity Hamburg. For more information about the Hamburg Christmas markets under www.hamburg-tourismus.de/weihnachten.

The big Christmas Parade in downtown Hamburg rounds off the festive program. Every Saturday during Advent draws elves, witches, fairies and elves in imaginative and Christmas costumes to the main shopping streets around the Mönckebergstraße, where they parade in American style. Traditionally the "fairy ships" on the Alster offer children baking of Christmas cookies and also theater plays.

If you are looking for the right offer for a pre-Christmas visit to Hamburg, ask the experts from Hamburg tourism. Also for hotel bookings and further information call +49 (0) 40-300-51-720 or visit www.hamburg- tourismus.de.