December has arrived and with it, the familiar sights, sounds and smells of Christmas markets. With so many to choose from, it can be easy to overlook the local markets near home. Located in Wiesbaden’s city center, the Twinkling Star Christmas Market is a charming holiday experience not to be missed.

Nestled on the Schlossplatz between the town hall, Hessen parliament building and the impressive Marktkirche, the Twinkling Star Christmas Market deftly adds a touch of civic pride to the holidays. Decorated in shades of blue and gold, more than 130 wooden market stalls offer unique gifts, steaming mugs of Glühwein, and tempting sweet treats. Take in the breathtaking views of the city from atop the 40-meter tall Ferris wheel in Mauritiusplatz, including the 70 glowing lilies that light up the cobblestone paths.

If you have little ones, there is plenty to keep them busy. Take a ride on the vintage carousel, or chug through the Christmas village on the child-sized train. Crafts, puppet shows and musical performances provide entertainment throughout the day. Admire the exquisite wooden life-size nativity scene, or get your Christmas card photo taken in front of the stunning Christmas tree, which boasts more than 3,000 twinkling lights and 1,000 blue and gold ribbons.

Know before you go

The Twinkling Star Christmas market is open now through Dec. 23. Hours of operation are 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. A short, guided walking tour of the market is available on Fridays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. Cost of the tour is 7 euros per person.