We are excited to share our series of guides, Scouted Local Insider Tours—Day Trip Wanderlust with Tiffany! Long-time Scout Guide Huntsville fan and friend, Tiffany Kraus shares some fabulous day trip excursions, hidden gems, and insider tips that can be found in and around Huntsville for locals and new residents alike. We will be adding more great day trips throughout the year! Be sure and keep these guides handy when you have friends and family visit; you can even send them to friends thinking about moving to our fabulous town of Huntsville!

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Have you seen or heard about the Cullman Christkindlmarkt?  Have you visited a German Christmas market? Take a short drive to Cullman, AL and save yourself the airfare expense and enjoy this festive experience as you stroll through the Christkindlmarkt located in Cullman, AL. 

Cullman has a rich German history founded in 1873 by German settler Johann Gottfried Cullman.  So it is fitting that Cullman is hosting their third annual Christkindlmarkt. 

This market takes place through November 24 – December 23 and opens daily at 4:00 p.m. Check online for their closing hours. 

The market hosts a German Christmas Pyramid, ice skating rink, large Christmas tree, kids train rides, Christmas Carousel, Santa’s Village, market vendors and warming areas.

This festive market is well worth the trip. For hundreds of years German Christkindlmarkts have offered a nostalgic season warmth that the Cullman Christkindlmarkt replicates wonderfully.  Experiencing the Cullman market’s wooden huts with their homemade items and local food favorites is like stepping into Europe this time of year without the 8 hour plane ride!

The town is shining bright as you drive down the beautifully lit streets with their festive decorations. Unfortunately, it can be somewhat difficult to see the signage directing you to the market. However, drive to the location of the town Farmers Market and you will see the German Christmas Pyramid guiding you to the area located directly across from the Farmers Market. 

When you walk into the market you will be greeted by enormous wooden Nutcrackers and men dressed in Lederhosen playing the accordion and the Hurdy Gordy, a hand crank stringed instrument. 

You will see many wooden huts representing different businesses. Some of these businesses are selling various known European foods like schnitzel, chimney cakes (my favorite), spiral potatoes, pretzels, waffles, curry wurst, bratwurst, roasted nuts, and more. Other vendors are selling traditional German craftsmanship items such as cuckoo clocks, toys, clothing, Glühwein kits, paper lanterns, and ornaments.

Cullman has done a great job of recreating this European feel. At just over an hour’s drive from Huntsville, the Cullman Christkindlmarkt will be a new Christmas tradition your family and friends will want to experience year after year. Frohe Weihnachten!

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About Tiffany Kraus

My name is Tiffany. I grew up in West Virginia and worked at the famous five-star, five-diamond resort, at that time, the Greenbrier Hotel after college. Growing up in WV my parents didn’t have the financial means to travel. However, as a military spouse, mom, and resident of Huntsville on and off for the last 13 years I have had the wonderful opportunity to travel and see more of the world thanks to my husband’s chosen career. His military career is what brought us to Huntsville.

With every move, I forced myself to fall in love with each place that we were now calling home because I knew we would only be there for a short 18 – 36 months. When I didn’t know anyone, I would go out exploring by myself to see what each city had to offer so I would have unique places to show off the new city I called home to those who came to visit.

Moving to Huntsville wasn’t any different. However, the longer I lived here the longer my list has grown. I am proud of the community we call home and want to ensure when my family, friends, or potential future residents take time to come to visit, they receive the five-star experience of my beloved city. I am always looking for the next hidden gem in Huntsville and surrounding areas to share with our visitors.

If you are interested in scheduling your personalized Tour with Tiffany please share your contact info here!