A Christmas market, also known as ''Christkindlmarkt'' (literally: '' Christ Child Market'', but the term "Christkind" usually refers to an angel-like "spirit of Christmas" rather than literally the Christ Child), ''Christkindlesmarkt'', ''Christkindlmarket'', ''Christkindlimarkt'', and ''Weihnachtsmarkt'', is a

street market A marketplace or market place is a location where people regularly gather for the purchase and sale of provisions, livestock, and other goods. In different parts of the world, a marketplace may be described as a ''souk'' (from the Arabic lang ...

associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent. These markets originated in Germany, but are now held in many countries. Christmas markets date to the

Late Middle Ages The Late Middle Ages or Late Medieval Period was the period of European history lasting from AD 1300 to 1500. The Late Middle Ages followed the High Middle Ages and preceded the onset of the early modern period (and in much of Europe, the Renai ...

in the German-speaking part of Europe and in many parts of the former

Holy Roman Empire The Holy Roman Empire was a political entity in Western, Central, and Southern Europe that developed during the Early Middle Ages and continued until its dissolution in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars. From the accession of Otto I in 962 ...

that included many eastern regions of France. They became a popular Advent custom during the

Reformation The Reformation (alternatively named the Protestant Reformation or the European Reformation) was a major movement within Western Christianity in 16th-century Europe that posed a religious and political challenge to the Catholic Church and in ...

era.

Dresden Dresden (, ; Upper Saxon: ''Dräsdn''; wen, label= Upper Sorbian, Drježdźany) is the capital city of the German state of Saxony and its second most populous city, after Leipzig. It is the 12th most populous city of Germany, the fourth ...

Striezelmarkt The Striezelmarkt in Dresden is one of the first genuine Christmas markets in the world. Founded as a one-day market in 1434, it celebrated its 585th anniversary in 2019. Its 240 stands attract about 3 million visitors from all over the world. ...

was first held in 1434 and one of the first true Christmas markets; earlier markets of the season were "December markets". Early mentions of these "December markets" can be found in

Vienna en, Viennese , iso_code = AT-9 , registration_plate = W , postal_code_type = Postal code , postal_code = , timezone = CET , utc_offset = +1 , timezone_DST ...

(1298),

Munich Munich ( ; german: München ; bar, Minga ) is the capital and most populous city of the German state of Bavaria. With a population of 1,558,395 inhabitants as of 31 July 2020, it is the third-largest city in Germany, after Berlin and Ha ...

(1310),

Bautzen Bautzen () or Budyšin () is a hill-top town in eastern Saxony, Germany, and the administrative centre of the district of Bautzen. It is located on the Spree river. In 2018 the town's population was 39,087. Until 1868, its German name was ''Budi ...

(1384), and

Frankfurt Frankfurt, officially Frankfurt am Main (; Hessian: , " Frank ford on the Main"), is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. Its 791,000 inhabitants as of 2022 make it the fifth-most populous city in Germany. Located on it ...

(1393). In many towns in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, Advent is usually ushered in with the opening of the Christmas market or ''"Weihnachtsmarkt"''. In southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria, it is called a ''"Christkind(e)l(s)(i)markt"'' (German language, literally meaning "Christ child market"). Traditionally held in the town square, the market offers food, drinks and seasonal items for sale from open-air stalls, accompanied by traditional singing and dancing. On opening night at the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, and in some other towns, onlookers welcome the ''"

Christkind The Christkind (; ), also called ''Christkindl'', is the traditional Christmas gift-bringer in Austria, Switzerland, southern and western Germany, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the eastern part of Belgium, Portuga ...

"'' (originally boy Jesus, but often depicted as an angel-like girl), acted by a local child.

Attractions and stalls

Popular attractions at the markets include the

Nativity Scene In the Christian tradition, a nativity scene (also known as a manger scene, crib, crèche ( or ), or in Italian ''presepio'' or ''presepe'', or Bethlehem) is the special exhibition, particularly during the Christmas season, of art objects rep ...

(a crèche or crib), ''Zwetschgenmännle'' (figures made of decorated dried plums), ''Nussknacker'' (carved

Nutcracker A nutcracker is a tool designed to open nuts by cracking their shells. There are many designs, including levers, screws, and ratchets. The lever version is also used for cracking lobster and crab shells. A decorative version portrays a person w ...

s), ''Gebrannte Mandeln'' (candied, toasted almonds), traditional Christmas cookies such as ''

Lebkuchen (), or , are a honey-sweetened German cake molded cookie or bar cookie that has become part of Germany's Christmas traditions. It is similar to gingerbread. Etymology The etymology of ''Leb-'' in the term ''Lebkuchen'' is uncertain. Prop ...

'' and ''Magenbrot'' (both forms of soft gingerbread),

Bratwurst Bratwurst () is a type of German sausage made from pork or, less commonly, beef or veal. The name is derived from the Old High German ''Brätwurst'', from ''brät-'', finely chopped meat, and ''Wurst'', sausage, although in modern German it is o ...

, and ''

Glühwein Mulled wine, also known as spiced wine, is an alcoholic drink usually made with red wine, along with various mulling spices and sometimes raisins, served hot or warm. It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas. It is us ...

'', hot

mulled wine Mulled wine, also known as spiced wine, is an alcoholic drink usually made with red wine, along with various mulling spices and sometimes raisins, served hot or warm. It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas. It is us ...

(with or without a shot of brandy), or ''

Eierpunsch ''Eierpunsch'' (literally " egg punch") is the German name given to a warm, sweetened alcoholic, egg-based drink similar to egg nog. It is commonly a winter drink and can be found served in the popular Christmas markets of Germany and Austria. E ...

'' (an egg-based warm alcoholic drink) - both a highlight of the market for many visitors. Both help stave off the cold winter air which sometimes dips below freezing. More regional food specialties include ''Christstollen'' ('' Stollen''), a sort of bread with candied fruit in Saxony, and hot

Apfelwein ''Apfelwein'' ( German, 'apple wine'), or ''Viez'' ( Moselfranken, Saarland, Trier, ''vice'') or ''Most'' ( Austria, Switzerland, South Germany, ''must'') are German words for cider. It is made from a mix of sour tasting apples, such as "Bohn ...

and ''Frankfurter

Bethmännchen ''Bethmännchen'' (German for "a little Bethmann") is a pastry made from marzipan with almond, powdered sugar, rosewater, flour and egg. It is a traditional cookie usually baked for Christmas Day and is widely available in chocolate shops around ...

'' in Hesse.

Major Christmas markets

20181223 115401 Christmas market, Riga, Latvia

Famous Christmas markets are held in the cities of

Augsburg Augsburg (; bar , Augschburg , links=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swabian_German , label=Swabian German, , ) is a city in Swabia, Bavaria, Germany, around west of Bavarian capital Munich. It is a university town and regional seat of the ...

Erfurt Erfurt () is the capital and largest city in the Central German state of Thuringia. It is located in the wide valley of the Gera river (progression: ), in the southern part of the Thuringian Basin, north of the Thuringian Forest. It sits i ...

Nuremberg Nuremberg ( ; german: link=no, Nürnberg ; in the local East Franconian dialect: ''Nämberch'' ) is the second-largest city of the German state of Bavaria after its capital Munich, and its 518,370 (2019) inhabitants make it the 14th-largest ...

, and Stuttgart, making them popular tourist attractions during the Christmas holiday season.''Christmas City Nuremberg''
Stadt Nürnberg. Retrieved 8 July 2007
Stuttgart Marketing. Retrieved 8 July 2007 The Nuremberg and Dresden markets draw about two million people each year; the Stuttgart and Frankfurt markets attract more than three million visitors. The two most visited Christmas markets in Germany are found in Dortmund, with more than three and a half million visitors of 300 stalls around a gigantic Christmas tree that stands tall, and in

Cologne Cologne ( ; german: Köln ; ksh, Kölle ) is the largest city of the German western state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and the fourth-most populous city of Germany with 1.1 million inhabitants in the city proper and 3.6 millio ...

with 4 million people. Additionally, the city of Berlin claims more than 70 markets, which open in late November and close just after Christmas. Christmas markets are also popular traditions in Austria, and are held in

Vienna en, Viennese , iso_code = AT-9 , registration_plate = W , postal_code_type = Postal code , postal_code = , timezone = CET , utc_offset = +1 , timezone_DST ...

Salzburg Salzburg (, ; literally "Salt-Castle"; bar, Soizbuag, label= Austro-Bavarian) is the fourth-largest city in Austria. In 2020, it had a population of 156,872. The town is on the site of the Roman settlement of ''Iuvavum''. Salzburg was founded ...

, Innsbruck,

Linz Linz ( , ; cs, Linec) is the capital of Upper Austria and third-largest city in Austria. In the north of the country, it is on the Danube south of the Czech border. In 2018, the population was 204,846. In 2009, it was a European Capital ...

, and Graz. The first "December Market" was held in Vienna in 1298. Vienna holds 20 different Christmas markets around the city. Most Christmas markets open in late November and last through December, closing right after 25 December, with a few staying open for New Year's. The largest Christmas market and one of the most well known is the Vienna Christmas World on Rathausplatz, near the ''Rathaus'', Vienna's historic city hall. The market draws 3 million people each year and includes 150 unique stalls that offer traditional Austrian foods, Christmas decorations and ornaments, handicrafts, and drinks. The Vienna Christmas World on Rathausplatz also features an advent theme park called the ''Adventzauber'' with workshops and cultural performances that cater to families and young children. Visitors to the Vienna Christmas World can also ice skate on a ice rink and on frozen paths that run through the Rathausplatz Park. Other famous Christmas markets include the Christmas Market at

Schönbrunn Palace Schönbrunn Palace (german: Schloss Schönbrunn ; Central Bavarian: ''Schloss Scheenbrunn'') was the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers, located in Hietzing, Vienna. The name ''Schönbrunn'' (meaning “beautiful spring”) has its root ...

, the Art Advent on

Karlsplatz Karlsplatz () is a town square on the border of the first and fourth districts of Vienna. It is one of the most frequented and best connected transportation hubs in Vienna. The Karlskirche is located here. The first district can be reached e ...

, the Christmas Village at

Belvedere Palace The Belvedere is a historic building complex in Vienna, Austria, consisting of two Baroque palaces (the Upper and Lower Belvedere), the Orangery, and the Palace Stables. The buildings are set in a Baroque park landscape in the third district o ...

, and the Christmas Village on

Maria-Theresien-Platz Maria-Theresien-Platz is a large public square in Vienna, Austria, that joins the Ringstraße with the Museumsquartier, a museum of modern arts located in the former Imperial Stables. Facing each other from the sides of the square are two near ...

. The Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace, “''Kultur-und-Weihnachtsmarkt'',” takes place in front of the imperial palace. It features Austrian handicrafts and goods as well as a cultural program with activities and workshops. The Art Advent on Karlsplatz offers artisan goods, a children's program, and a petting zoo. Popular food specialities include ''Kinderpunsch'' (a non-alcoholic punch), ''Glühwein'', ''Baumstriezel'' (a Hungarian pastry coated in cinnamon and sugar), ''Kartoffelpuffer'' (potato pancakes), ''

Lángos Lángos () is a typical Hungarian food. Today it is a deep fried flatbread, but in the past it was made of the last bits of the bread-dough and baked at the front of the brick or clay oven, to be served hot as the breakfast of the bread-baking da ...

'' (savory deep fried dough), ''Schaumkuss'' (chocolate covered marshmallows), '' Stollen'' (bread with candied fruit), ''Maroni'' (roasted chestnuts), ''Bratkartoffel'' (roasted potato wedges), ''

'' (Austrian gingerbread), and baked potatoes. Christmas markets are traditional in Alsace, and most of the towns have their local Christmas market. Strasbourg, in

Alsace Alsace (, ; ; Low Alemannic German/ gsw-FR, Elsàss ; german: Elsass ; la, Alsatia) is a cultural region and a territorial collectivity in eastern France, on the west bank of the upper Rhine next to Germany and Switzerland. In 2020, it had ...

, France, has been holding a Christmas market, " Christkindelsmärik," around its cathedral since 1570, when the city was part of the

of the German Nation.''Noël à Strasbourg''
Retrieved 8 July 2007 As noted, other countries have also established such markets. The Christmas market of

Barcelona Barcelona ( , , ) is a city on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within ci ...

starts on 13 December,

Saint Lucy's Day Saint Lucy's Day, also called the Feast of Saint Lucy, is a Christian feast day observed on 13 December. The observance commemorates Lucia of Syracuse, an early-fourth-century virgin martyr under the Diocletianic Persecution, who according to ...

, and is called ''Fira de Santa Llúcia''. It has been held in the square of

Barcelona Cathedral The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia ( ca, Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia), also known as Barcelona Cathedral, is the Gothic cathedral and seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The cathedral was constru ...

since 1786. In 1982,

Lincoln Lincoln most commonly refers to: * Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), the sixteenth president of the United States * Lincoln, England, cathedral city and county town of Lincolnshire, England * Lincoln, Nebraska, the capital of Nebraska, U.S. * Lincol ...

, England, established an annual Christmas market in early December. This remains one of the most extensive such market by area in the United Kingdom, with a claimed total of over 300 stalls attracting more than 100,000 visitors over its four days. Starting in 1997, ''Frankfurt Christmas Markets'' were established with support from Frankfurt in

Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands (county), West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1. ...

Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian on the southern shore of t ...

Leeds Leeds () is a city and the administrative centre of the City of Leeds district in West Yorkshire, England. It is built around the River Aire and is in the eastern foothills of the Pennines. It is also the third-largest settlement (by popula ...

, and

Manchester Manchester () is a city in Greater Manchester, England. It had a population of 552,000 in 2021. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of Salford to the west. The t ...

. Other large Christmas markets have been held in England in Bath (since 2000) and

Liverpool Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. With a population of in 2019, it is the 10th largest English district by population and its metropolitan area is the fifth largest in the United Kingdom, with a populat ...

(since 2006). The Christmas markets are such a success that they are becoming a major pull factor to increase trade and visitor numbers to towns and cities. Birmingham's Christmas Market, primarily located on New Street between the Bullring shopping centre and the

Council House A council house is a form of British public housing built by local authorities. A council estate is a building complex containing a number of council houses and other amenities like schools and shops. Construction took place mainly from 1919 ...

, is the "largest outdoor Christmas market in the UK" as well as the "largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria". The market also offers live entertainment on the main stage. The market is held for approximately six weeks every year and usually closes around 23 December. Manchester's Christmas Markets have also been successful, with 300 stalls over eight city locations, with each location being themed to create a different atmosphere such as French, World, and German, with European-themed stalls on the

Albert Square Walford is a fictional borough of east London in the BBC soap opera '' EastEnders''. It is the primary setting for the soap. ''EastEnders'' is filmed at Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, towards the north-west of London. Much of the location ...

, Manchester proving to be the most popular. German immigrants carried Christmas market celebrations to the United States. It is celebrated in such cities as Chicago, Denver, and Tulsa.''CHRISTKINDLMARKT BETHLEHEM''
ArtsQuest (2006). Retrieved 8 July 2007
German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, 17 November 2006. Retrieved 8 July 2007''Denver Christkindl Market''
German American Chamber of Commerce Colorado Chapter. (2006). Retrieved 8 July 2007
German-American Society of Tulsa, 1 May 2007. Retrieved 8 July 2007 A traditional Christmas market was held for the first time in

Sibiu Sibiu ( , , german: link=no, Hermannstadt , la, Cibinium, Transylvanian Saxon: ''Härmeschtat'', hu, Nagyszeben ) is a city in Romania, in the historical region of Transylvania. Located some north-west of Bucharest, the city straddles the Ci ...

, Romania, in 2007.

Gallery

File:ChristmasMarketJena.jpg, Christmas market in

Jena Jena () is a German city and the second largest city in Thuringia. Together with the nearby cities of Erfurt and Weimar, it forms the central metropolitan area of Thuringia with approximately 500,000 inhabitants, while the city itself has a po ...

File:Pic of Davidsbroen.jpg, Malmö Christmas market 2016 Dews events

Malmö Malmö (, ; da, Malmø ) is the largest city in the Swedish county (län) of Scania (Skåne). It is the third-largest city in Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg, and the sixth-largest city in the Nordic region, with a municipal pop ...

, Sweden File:Christkindlesmarkt nuernberg.jpg, Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg File:Xmas tree Colmar.jpg, In Colmar, 2010 File:Christmas market, Strasbourg (5226804625).jpg, , Strasbourg, France File:German Christmas Market in Leeds.jpg, German Christmas market in Millennium Square, Leeds, UK File:Traditional gingerbread hearts Berlin Xmas 2006.jpg, Traditional gingerbread hearts at a German Christmas market File:Xmasmarketstalls.jpg, Christmas market stalls File:Hyde Park Christmas Market.JPG, Ferris Wheel at the Hyde Park Christmas Market File:Erfurter Weihnachtsmarkt.JPG, Christmas market in

File:Stuttgart Christmas Market.JPG, Christmas market in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg File:Christmas Market Salzburg Austria .jpg,

, Austria File:Senaatintorin joulumarkkinat.jpg, Christmas market at the Senate Square in

Helsinki Helsinki ( or ; ; sv, Helsingfors, ) is the capital, primate, and most populous city of Finland. Located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, it is the seat of the region of Uusimaa in southern Finland, and has a population of . The city ...

, Finland File:Marché de Noël de la place Rouge et magasin Goum (1).jpg, Christmas market at the

Red Square Red Square ( rus, Красная площадь, Krasnaya ploshchad', ˈkrasnəjə ˈploɕːətʲ) is one of the oldest and largest squares in Moscow, the capital of Russia. Owing to its historical significance and the adjacent historical build ...

Moscow Moscow ( , US chiefly ; rus, links=no, Москва, r=Moskva, p=mɐskˈva, a=Москва.ogg) is the capital and largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 13.0 millio ...

Russia Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-eig ...

. File:Rapperwil - Christkindlimärt IMG 4894 ShiftN.jpg, ''Christkindlimärt'' in

Rapperswil Rapperswil (Swiss German: or ;Andres Kristol, ''Rapperswil SG (See)'' in: ''Dictionnaire toponymique des communes suisses – Lexikon der schweizerischen Gemeindenamen – Dizionario toponomastico dei comuni svizzeri (DTS, LSG)'', Centre de dial ...

, Switzerland File:Gamla stans Julmarknad 2009j.jpg, 2009 ''Julmarknad'' ("Christmas market") in

Gamla stan Gamla stan (, "The Old Town"), until 1980 officially Staden mellan broarna ("The Town between the Bridges"), is the old town of Stockholm, Sweden. Gamla stan consists primarily of the island Stadsholmen. Officially, but not colloquially, Gamla stan ...

, Stockholm File:Wien Rathaus Christkindlmarkt Dez2006B.jpg,

Vienna en, Viennese , iso_code = AT-9 , registration_plate = W , postal_code_type = Postal code , postal_code = , timezone = CET , utc_offset = +1 , timezone_DST ...

, Austria File:Striezelmarkt 2009 02368.jpg, The

File:Sternschnuppenmarkt Wiesbaden.jpg, Sternschnuppenmarkt in

Wiesbaden Wiesbaden () is a city in central western Germany and the capital of the state of Hesse. , it had 290,955 inhabitants, plus approximately 21,000 United States citizens (mostly associated with the United States Army). The Wiesbaden urban area ...

, Germany File:SibiuChristmasMarket2012Opening.jpg, The Sibiu Christmas Market in

, Romania File:Zagreb, Jelačićev plac - Božićni sajam 2015.jpg, The Christmas Market in

Zagreb Zagreb ( , , , ) is the capital and largest city of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb stands near the international border between Croatia and Slov ...

, Croatia File:Christmas Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin 2006.jpg, Christmas market at Gendarmenmarkt,

Berlin Berlin ( , ) is the capital and List of cities in Germany by population, largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.7 million inhabitants make it the European Union's List of cities in the European Union by population within ci ...

File:Mercado_de_Navidad,_Plaza_del_Mercado,_Breslavia,_Polonia,_2017-12-20,_DD_41-49_HDR_PAN.jpg, The Christmas Market in

Wrocław Wrocław (; german: Breslau, or . ; Silesian German: ''Brassel'') is a city in southwestern Poland and the largest city in the historical region of Silesia. It lies on the banks of the River Oder in the Silesian Lowlands of Central Europe, rou ...

, Poland File:Copehagen Christmas market 2015 .jpg, Dews events Copenhagen the white Christmas in

Nytorv Nytorv ( English: New Square or New Market) is a public square in the centre of Copenhagen, Denmark. Together with the adjoining Gammeltorv it forms a common space, today part of the Strøget pedestrian zone. The square is dominated by the imposi ...

, Denmark File:Fields Jule bod.jpg, Fields Shopping Center Christmas event 2016 by Dewsevents Fields, Denmark File:Wien - Christkindlmarkt, Rathausplatz.JPG, Vienna Christmas market (2017) File:Dortmund christmas tree 01.jpg, Biggest Christmas tree in the world,

Dortmund Christmas Market The Dortmund Christmas Market (in German: ''Dortmunder Weihnachtsmarkt'' ) is an annual outdoor Christmas market held every year in central Dortmund, Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany. With more than three and a half million visitors of 300 stall ...

File:Waddesdon Manor's Christmas Fair.jpg, alt=80 stalls at Waddesdon Manor's Christmas Market, Annual Christmas Market at

Waddesdon Manor Waddesdon Manor is a English country house, country house in the village of Waddesdon, in Buckinghamshire, England. Owned by National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, National Trust and managed by the Rothschild Foundation ...

, UK

References

External links

* * {{Authority control 1434 establishments in Europe 1430s establishments in the Holy Roman Empire Christmas events and celebrations Christmas markets Christmas in Austria Christmas in Germany Christmas traditions History of Dresden Articles containing video clips 1298 establishments in Europe 1290s establishments in the Holy Roman Empire

Attractions and stalls

Major Christmas markets

Gallery

See also

References

Further reading

External links