European Christmas markets

Visitors walk past a stall selling illuminated Christmas stars at the annual Christmas market at Alexanderplatz two days after the market opened on Nov. 28, 2012, in Berlin, Germany. Christmas markets, with their stalls selling mulled wine (Gluehwein), Christmas tree decorations and other delights, are an integral part of German Christmas tradition.

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The main entrance is illuminated during a lighting rehearsal at the Christmas market in

People walk around a giant Christmas tree on Nov. 24, 2012, in Strasbourg, eastern France, on the opening day of the city's Christmas market, the largest and one of the oldest French Christmas markets. With over 300 market chalets, Strasbourg attracts more than 1.6 million visitors during the Christmas season.

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People visit Strasbourg's Christmas market, one of the largest of the French Christmas markets, on Nov. 24, 2012, in Strasbourg, eastern France, on the event's opening day.

Video: Germany's Christmas market

An artist takes part in a show given at Strasbourg's Christmas market, on Nov. 24, 2012, in Strasbourg, eastern France, on the event's opening day.

Video: Germany's Christmas market

People visit Strasbourg's Christmas market, on Nov. 24, 2012, in Strasbourg, eastern France, on the event's opening day.

Video: Germany's Christmas market

The annual Christmas market is illuminated in the city center on its opening day on Nov. 26, 2012, in Frankfurt, Germany. Christmas markets, with their stalls selling mulled wine, Christmas tree decorations and other delights, are an integral part of German Christmas tradition.

Video: Germany's Christmas market

People ride a carousel at the annual Christmas market in the city center on its opening day on Nov. 26, 2012, in Frankfurt, Germany. Christmas markets, with their stalls selling mulled wine, Christmas tree decorations and other delights, are an integral part of German Christmas tradition.

Video: Germany's Christmas market

The annual Christmas market is illuminated in the city center on its opening day on Nov. 26, 2012, in Frankfurt, Germany. Christmas markets, with their stalls selling mulled wine, Christmas tree decorations and other delights, are an integral part of German Christmas tradition.

Video: Germany's Christmas market

Performers on stilts walk among visitors at the annual Christmas market at Gendarmenmarkt on its opening day on Nov. 26, 2012, in Berlin, Germany. Christmas markets, with their stalls selling mulled wine, Christmas tree decorations and other delights, are an integral part of German Christmas tradition.

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Visitors look at Christmas decorations for sale at the Kaethe Wohlfahrt's stand at the annual Christmas market at Gendarmenmarkt on its opening day on Nov. 26, 2012, in Berlin, Germany. Christmas markets, with their stalls selling mulled wine, Christmas tree decorations and other delights, are an integral part of German Christmas tradition.

Video: Germany's Christmas market

Visitors of the so-called Striezelmarkt crowd the Christmas market just after its opening on Nov. 28, 2012, in Dresden, eastern Germany. Visitors of the Christmas market can buy the traditional Striezel or Stollen fruit loaf, hot punch, gingerbread and craftwork at around 240 market stands up to Christmas Eve. Striezel (or Stollen), a fruit loaf made of yeast dough, almonds, raisins and other ingredients, is a culinary specialty of the eastern German town.

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A girl ice-skates at a Christmas market near the Rotes Rathaus in Berlin on Nov. 28, 2012.

Video: Germany's Christmas market

A flock of birds passes over a Ferris wheel at a Christmas market near the Rotes Rathaus in Berlin on Nov. 28, 2012.

Video: Germany's Christmas market

Visitors crowd the Striezelmarkt Christmas market just after its opening on Nov. 28, 2012, in Dresden, eastern Germany. Striezel (or Stollen), a fruit loaf made of yeast dough, almonds, raisins and other ingredients, is a culinary specialty of the eastern German town.

Video: Germany's Christmas market

A Ferris wheel is reflected on a rain-covered table at a Christmas market near the Rotes Rathaus in Berlin on Nov. 28, 2012.

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Dresden's landmark the Church of Our Lady can be seen behind a Christmas pyramid at the Striezelmarkt, Christmas market just after its opening on Nov. 28, 2012, in Dresden, eastern Germany.

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Decorative Christmas Sterne hang for sale after the opening of the Striezelmarkt, Christmas market on Nov. 28, 2012,

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Christmas decorations are for sale at a stand of the traditional Christmas Market in Nuremberg, southern Germany, on Nov. 30, 2012.

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Snowstorm globes are for sale at a stand of the traditional Christmas Market in Nuremberg, southern Germany, on Nov. 30, 2012.

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A vendor selling small decorative houses prepares his stand at the traditional Christmas Market in Nuremberg, southern Germany, on Nov. 30, 2012.

Video: Germany's Christmas market

Gingerbread hearts are for sale at a stand of the traditional Christmas Market in Nuremberg, southern Germany, on Nov. 30, 2012.

Video: Germany's Christmas market

"Lebkuchen" gingerbread cakes are for sale at a stand of the traditional Christmas Market in Nuremberg, southern Germany, on Nov. 30, 2012.

Video: Germany's Christmas market