Christkindlesmarkt nuernberg.jpg

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 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 in the German-speaking part of Europe and in many parts of the former Holy Roman Empire that included many eastern regions of France. They became a popular Advent custom during the Reformation era.

Dresden's Striezelmarkt 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 (1298), Munich (1310), Bautzen (1384), and Frankfurt (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"'' (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 (a crèche or crib), ''Zwetschgenmännle'' (figures made of decorated dried plums), ''Nussknacker'' (carved Nutcrackers), ''Gebrannte Mandeln'' (candied, toasted almonds), traditional Christmas cookies such as ''Lebkuchen'' and ''Magenbrot'' (both forms of soft gingerbread), Bratwurst, and '' Glühwein'', hot mulled wine (with or without a shot of brandy), or '' Eierpunsch'' (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 and ''Frankfurter Bethmännchen'' in Hesse.

Major Christmas markets

Famous Christmas markets are held in the cities of Augsburg, Dresden, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Nuremberg, 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 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, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Linz, 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, the Art Advent on Karlsplatz, the Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace, and the Christmas Village on Maria-Theresien-Platz. 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'' (savory deep fried dough), ''Schaumkuss'' (chocolate covered marshmallows), ''Stollen'' (bread with candied fruit), ''Maroni'' (roasted chestnuts), ''Bratkartoffel'' (roasted potato wedges), ''Lebkuchen'' (Austrian gingerbread), and baked potatoes.

Christmas markets are traditional in Alsace, and most of the towns have their local Christmas market. Strasbourg, in Alsace, France, has been holding a Christmas market, " Christkindelsmärik," around its cathedral since 1570, when the city was part of the Holy Roman Empire 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 starts on 13 December, Saint Lucy's Day, and is called ''Fira de Santa Llúcia''. It has been held in the square of Barcelona Cathedral since 1786.

In 1982, Lincoln, 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, Edinburgh, Leeds, and Manchester. Other large Christmas markets have been held in England in Bath (since 2000) and Liverpool (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, 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, 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, Romania, in 2007.

Gallery

File:ChristmasMarketJena.jpg, Christmas market in Jena
File:Pic of Davidsbroen.jpg, Malmö Christmas market 2016 Dews events Malmö, 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 Erfurt
File:Stuttgart Christmas Market.JPG, Christmas market in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg
File:Christmas Market Salzburg Austria .jpg, Salzburg, Austria
File:Senaatintorin joulumarkkinat.jpg, Christmas market at the Senate Square in Helsinki, Finland
File:Marché de Noël de la place Rouge et magasin Goum (1).jpg, Christmas market at the Red Square, Moscow, Russia.
File:Rapperwil - Christkindlimärt IMG 4894 ShiftN.jpg, ''Christkindlimärt'' in Rapperswil, Switzerland
File:Gamla stans Julmarknad 2009j.jpg, 2009 ''Julmarknad'' ("Christmas market") in Gamla stan, Stockholm
File:Wien Rathaus Christkindlmarkt Dez2006B.jpg, Vienna, Austria
File:Striezelmarkt 2009 02368.jpg, The Striezelmarkt in Dresden
File:Sternschnuppenmarkt Wiesbaden.jpg, Sternschnuppenmarkt in Wiesbaden, Germany
File:SibiuChristmasMarket2012Opening.jpg, The Sibiu Christmas Market in Sibiu, Romania
File:Zagreb, Jelačićev plac - Božićni sajam 2015.jpg, The Christmas Market in Zagreb, Croatia
File:Christmas Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin 2006.jpg, Christmas market at Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin
File:Mercado_de_Navidad,_Plaza_del_Mercado,_Breslavia,_Polonia,_2017-12-20,_DD_41-49_HDR_PAN.jpg, The Christmas Market in Wrocław, Poland
File:Copehagen Christmas market 2015 .jpg, Dews events Copenhagen the white Christmas in Nytorv, 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
File:Waddesdon Manor's Christmas Fair.jpg, alt=80 stalls at Waddesdon Manor's Christmas Market, Annual Christmas Market at Waddesdon Manor, UK

See also

*2000 Strasbourg Cathedral bombing plot
*2016 Berlin truck attack
*2018 Strasbourg attack

References

Further reading

* Bakst, Alex
"A Visit to Germany's Christmas Markets"''Spiegel Online''
7 December 2006
* Zug, J.D. (1991): ''German-American Life: Recipes and Traditions'', Iowa City: Penfield Press

External links

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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