Wiesbaden’s famed Sternschnuppenmarkt, or Twinkling Star Market, is a beautiful Christmas market by any measure, so it’s little wonder visitors flock to it from all around Germany, far-flung corners of Europe, and around the world. The market is open daily from Nov. 27 through Dec. 23 in 2018.

Those living in and around Hesse’s capital have the chance to visit this exceptional Christmas market on several occasions throughout the holiday season, and that’s a lucky thing, as in addition to perusing the stalls and indulging in seasonal food and drink, a diverse and enticing program of events take place in and around the squares where the market unfolds. And beyond the confines of the market itself, the spirit of Christmas pops up in endless guises. Here’s just a sampling of the ways to capture that holiday spirit.

Take in the sight of the Christmas tree erected in the foyer of the elegant Kurhaus, a 26-foot-high feast for the eyes assembled out of over 2000 fresh, bright red poinsettias. It’s free to drop by and view this seasonal wonder, which makes an excellent backdrop for family holiday snaps.

Another great photo op is provided by a terminal at which visitors can have postcards featuring their smiling faces printed out or uploaded to their Facebook accounts – just keep an eye out for the big blue terminal labeled “Dein Foto von Wiesbadener Sternschuppenmarkt.”

ESWE-Eiszeit refers to the temporary skating rink set up on the Warmer Damm, just behind the Hessian State Theatre. Through Jan. 13, sporty types can lace up their skates and practice their pirouettes or try their hand at that curious sport known as curling. And of course, no trip there is complete without a visit to the neighboring Lumen-Alm hut for traditional Alpine-inspired treats. Entry to the rink costs 4.50 euros and skate rental an additional 5 euros; an official ID in the form of a driver’s license or passport must be left as a form of deposit.

A pair of Christmas market booths offer hands-on activities for young visitors. The Backhaus Schröer at Stand 61 offers a children’s bakery at which kids can decorate tree shaped cookies (2.50 euros per cookie); at the Kerzenstudio Stäblein at Stand 32, kids can create candles in various shapes and colors (1.50-3.50 euros per candle).

The tall and stately red brick Marktkirche is a busy scene during the holidays. Its circa-1862 organ is a musical masterpiece of 85 registers and 6200 pipes. Take in a free performance made upon this delightful instrument at 5:45 p.m. daily throughout the Advent season. Five times a day (9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.), pause to listen to the Christmas songs ringing out on the bells of the carillon in the church tower. For a perspective of the market from on high, take part in the tower climb, which is scheduled, weather conditions permitting, for 4 p.m. on both Dec. 6 and 13. The cost is 11 euros per person; buy tickets at the Tourist Information office in advance to secure your place.

To achieve a bird’s eye view of the market in a much less strenuous way, simply hop on board the Ferris wheel set up on the Mauritiusplatz. Warm up thereafter with a hot cocoa from the stand, and if you’re hungry, indulge in the Hessian specialties of sausages or Handkäse, a vinegar-marinated cheese served with raw onions, in the Winterstubbe.

Each year, the Hessian State Theatre of Wiesbaden offers a seasonal production designed to put smiles on the faces of attendees of all ages. This year, a stage adaption of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” will be performed (yes, it’s in German, but you know the story…). Tickets to this fantastical, highly visual play start at just 4.68 euros, and it’s performed on numerous dates through Jan. 6.

A German-American friendship concert takes place from 7 p.m. Dec. 6. This event featuring the sounds of the U.S. Army Europe Band and Chorus and takes place in the Friedrich-Thiersch-Saal of the Kurhaus. As happens each year, the concert culminates with a sing-along. While entry is free; tickets are a must; these can be picked up from 10 a.m. Dec. 1 at the Tourist Information office on the market square. Up to four tickets can be picked up by one individual. Those who miss the opportunity to pick up tickets before they’re all snapped up can show up at the Kurhaus prior to 6:45 p.m. on the day in hopes that concert-goers turn in any unused tickets, thus allowing others the chance to get in.

Americans are on the stage once again come Dec. 9, when pupils of the Aukamm-Elementary School, Hainerberg-Elementary School, Wiesbaden Middle School und Wiesbaden High School take to the stage on the Schlossplatz to present songs and stories as part of their “American Christmas” program. The free show takes place 3 p.m.-5 p.m.

For handcrafted gifts with a particularly stylish flair to them, check out the Kunsthandwerk special artisans’ exhibit and sales booths set up in the foyer of the Town Hall Dec. 14-16. Textiles, jewelry, ceramics, wooden carvings and the like can be admired and purchased from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. each day.

On Dec. 17, the “Coca-Cola Christmas Tour” tradition adds additional effervescence to the Dern’sche Gelände. From 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., two iconic, festively decorated Coca-Cola trucks park up there, allowing passers-by to walk through a tunnel of lights, take a virtual sleigh ride or enjoy a Meet & Greet with Santa Claus himself. Wiesbaden is one of just ten German cities in which the two-decade old campaign takes place.

The one-off “Christmas Moments with Friends” concert featuring youthful but highly talented jazz musicians and vocalists takes place at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 23 in the Kurhaus. Adult tickets go for 29.85 euros and are available for purchase at the Tourist Information office on the Market Square.

Wiesbaden’s suburbs and outlying towns host much smaller Christmas markets of shorter duration, not without a unique charm of their own. Biebrich’s Christmas market takes place on the Marienplatz Dec. 6-9. Eltville hosts its annual Christmas market Dec. 8-9 in the Old Town.

For yet more fun things to do, download a pdf copy of the brochure titled Sternschnuppenmarkt.