Christmas markets are great fun, but at peak times you can end up standing rosy cheek to cheek with complete strangers and waiting for what feels an eternity to get your mitts on a hot mug of Glühwein. That’s anything but a holly-jolly experience, as well as a downright bad idea in the times in which we live.

While Christmas market owners mull over how to make this beloved but close-contact event as safe as possible, organizers of another holiday outing are moving forward with plans of their own.

“Christmas Garden” is the title of an experience in which visitors are invited to take an unhurried stroll through a park-like setting enhanced by the sparkle of thousands of twinkling lights, gentle sounds and unexpected installations. The illuminated path that binds the ensemble together stretches over a mile long and is barrier-free for wheelchair users. Soul-warming drinks and snacks available along the way keep energy levels and spirits high.

Inspired by the event known as Christmas at Kew held in London’s Royal Botanic Gardens, the first Christmas Garden opened in Berlin’s Botanical Garden back in 2016 and blossomed from there. Editions have since opened in Dresden, Münster, Stuttgart, Madrid, Paris and other cities. Frankfurt am Main is another recent entrant on the list of cities hosting such an event.

From mid-November through early January, guests can experience this appealing interplay of nature and technology that transforms zoos, parks and other settings into veritable winter wonderlands.

The Christmas Garden Frankfurt takes place on most days from Nov. 19 through Jan. 9, 2022 in the Deutsche Bank Park, the home stadium of the Frankfurt Eintracht soccer team. Hours of operation are 5 p.m. - 10 p.m., with last entry at 9 p.m. The Christmas Garden is closed on Nov. 22, 23, 29 and 30, as well as Dec. 24 and 31.

Tickets can be procured online in advance. Adult entry costs 17 euros Mondays through Thursdays and 19 euros Fridays through Sundays and from Dec. 23 through Jan. 9. Tickets for children ages six - 14 cost 14.50-16.50 euros and those ages five and under enter free (note they still need free, personalized tickets that can be ordered at the time of booking). A family ticket goes for 47-53 euros. Limited quantities of tickets will also be available on site. Dogs, even on leashes, are not allowed.

To keep the crowds moving along, ticket holders must embark on the walk within half an hour of the start time indicated on a pre-purchased ticket. Organizers note the 3G rules apply: admission only for vaccinated, recovered or tested visitors.

The address of Deutsche Bank Park for your GPS is Mörfelder Landstraße 362, 60528 Frankfurt am Main. Paid parking is available nearby. Wiesbaden residents could also take the S7, S8 or S9 commuter train there and back.

Another reason to make way to Frankfurt this holiday season? As things now stand, the Frankfurt Christmas Market has the green light to take place in its traditional spot, in and around the Römerberg, from Nov. 22 through Dec. 22 this year.