"Celebrating local traditions and vibrant community spirit."
Stuttgart Christmas Market ---- One of the oldest and most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe, Stuttgart is transformed into a fairytale wonderland over the month of December, when heady aromas of vanilla and cinnamon permeate the air. More than 200 delightful stands display the wares of local tradesmen from Christmas decorations and toys to woodcuts and jewellery. On the Schlossplatz, in front of the New Palace, a romantic open-air skating rink in the middle of the city can be found. Combine this Christmas cheer and picture postcard scenery with some mulled wine, waffles, baked apples and grilled sausages and you've got one of the best Christmas markets ever. Stuttgart Wine Village Festival ---- Wine lovers should head to Stuttgart in the Baden-Wurttemberg region in Germany during fall for the annual Stuttgart Wine Village Festival. Celebrating local wine since 1974, Stuttgart is transformed into a festive village during the beginning of September with 120 wine stalls smattered across the market square, Schillerplatz and Kiurchstrabe. Pouring over 250 unique local wines from Riesling and Trollinger to Miller-Thurgau and Rulnder, the heart of Swabian culture can be found here. Festival goers can enjoy the animated dancing, singing and merrymaking, not to mention the mouth-watering Swabian specialities and other culinary delicacies. Cannstatter Beer Festival --- In terms of size, the Cannstatter Beer Festival in Stuttgart is second only to the Oktoberfest in Munich. Rows of beer lovers sing along to oompa band classics in large marquee tents, washing down their favourite golden liquid with tasty Swabian snacks. An exhilarating fairground is the setting with one of the world's biggest mobile Ferris wheels, reaching 198 feet (60m), as the backdrop. The celebration takes place over two weeks in the fall. Lookout for the symbolic 'fruit column', a colourful wooden pillar, strecthing 79 feet (24m) high and decorated with fruit, which has been an emblem of the Cannstatter Wasen for over a century.
