Giant wooden statues carved out of tree trunks for the Cologne Christmas market
Wood craft is a traditional feature of German Christmas markets
This tipsy elf is part of the decorated wooden panels in the Cologne Christmas market huts
Elves take a bath in a glass of Cologne's local beer
The merry elves are everywhere
A decked up shop at the Stuttgart Market Hall
A typical Christmas carousel at Esslingen, near Stuttgart
Rooftop illumination at the Esslingen Christmas market
An archery performer at the Esslingen Christmas market
A knife-throwing artiste in medieval costume at Esslingen
A child admires a nutcracker doll at the Baden-Baden Christmas market