Germany’s Christkindlmarkt season is on. Glittering with thousands of lights and lined with tented food and gift stalls, the country’s open-air Christmas markets that open in late November and close the day after Christmas attract millions of revelers each year.

The biggest and most-visited markets are in Nuremberg (famed for its Lebkuchen, spiced cake, and Nürnberger Rostbratwürste, or small sausages) and Dresden (known for its Stollen, a bread-shaped cake). Munich, Berlin and Hamburg also host well-trodden markets. With their parades, ice-skating rinks and other festive bells and whistles, these big city markets are often packed tight. (Like U.S. shopping malls during the holiday season, they are best visited on a weekday—not the weekend or after work.)

Avoid the Christmas market sardine effect altogether by heading to one of the smaller, cozier markets highlighted after the jump.

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