As Germany battles a second wave of coronavirus infections, leisure and sporting facilities have been ordered to close while restaurants and bars can only offer takeaways.

The restrictions also include limits on social gatherings and have been a huge blow to Germany's 3,000 or so annual Christmas markets.

The markets have been an annual fixture in Germany since the 15th century, when craftsmen and bakers were given special permission to ply their wares in town squares in the run-up to Christmas.

But many German cities have cancelled their Christmas markets entirely this year, despite the huge financial losses - the markets draw about 160 million visitors annually and bring in revenues of three to five billion euros ($3.6-5.9 billion), according to the BSM stallkeepers' industry association.

To keep the spirit and the economic benefits of Christmas alive, cities across the country have come up with creative initiatives.

In Berlin's Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district, small clusters of huts have been spread across several streets, though food and drink cannot be consumed on site.

The world-famous Nuremberg Christmas market has been cancelled this year but managed to hold an online version of its traditional opening ceremony.

And in north-western Germany, the town of Kalkar is offering a drive-in Christmas market.

The market in Landshut, where visitors also have to enjoy the sights and smells of the traditional Christmas market from inside their cars, has been open since mid-November and is proving popular with locals, according to Schmidt. "Last Saturday we had 500 cars," he said.

"I'm here to support the restaurants, because I miss them," said Markus Renneke, 55, visiting the market with his wife. "And I think it's a great idea."

(With input from AFP)