By Evelyn B. Kelly, PhD
A few years ago, our family talked about going to Germany to visit a Christmas market. But sadly, all the tours were full. Wow, we missed the great smell of cinnamon, cloves, and roasted nuts, mingled with the sounds of bells, carols, and hissing bratwurst. What fun to look at handmade ornaments, nutcrackers, or snow globes.
That’s when we discovered that Christmas, or Christkindl Markt (German for Christ child market), is celebrated here in the USA. There may be one near you.
Sizzling Sausage and Other Necessities
1384 – Bautzen, Saxony – the first recorded Christmas market focused on selling meat and necessities. But over time, items such as seasonal treats, decorations, and crafts were added. The atmosphere became quite festive with singing, dancing, and lots of socializing.
Related: 8 of the Best Christmas Markets in Germany
Enter Martin Luther
Martin Luther and the 16th-century Protestant Reformation led to significant changes in the markets. Gift-giving shifted from St. Nicholas Day to Christmas Eve. Instead of Santa Claus, these markets celebrated the Christkindl (Christ Child), who became the central figure, often portrayed as a young girl.
Read more on St. Nicholastag (St. Nicholas Day) and other mouthwatering winter festivals
Nuremberg, Germany, and Others
This market is one of the most renowned held on the square in front of the Church of Our Lady. An opening ceremony features Christkindl, a young girl who initiates the festivities. Over 180 wooden stalls with red-and-white striped roofs sell everything Christmasy.
Today, Christmas markets are a holiday tradition in Germany and have spread to other countries, including the United States.
Christkindlmarkt, Carmel, Indiana
You don’t have to travel to Nuremberg to experience the magic of the authentic German tradition of Christkindlmarkt – head to Carmel, Indiana. The city, with its 60 huts covered in red and white awnings, is so much like Nuremberg that you think you are there. Every year, German artisans travel from Erzgebirge, Lauscha, and Oberammergau to craft wood carvings, glassblowing, and more. These artisans create charming works right before your eyes.
You can lace up your skates and glide through the sights, sounds, and smells of the Christmas season on the massive ice-skating rink.
Bethlehem Christkindlmarkt
What could be a more fitting place for a Christmas market than Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, named after the birthplace of Christ? We’ve visited both Bethlehems—the one in Palestine and the one in Pennsylvania. It’s fun to stroll the streets and compare.
Exciting is the Bethlehem by Night Motorcoach tour, which goes through the historic district and Southside. You’ll see the Moravian Church Settlements, Bethlehem Heritage sites, and historic Main Street decorated for the holidays.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, San Francisco
Not German, but definitely European, the Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco covers over 4 acres of the historic Cow Palace exhibition halls. You’re transported to Victorian London, with a lamp-lit city filled with characters from Charles Dickens’ stories. It makes you want to shout with Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol,” “I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all year.”
Christkindlmarkt Chicago, IL
Chicago hosts a German-style Christmas market that’s a wonderful outdoor experience for the whole family. It appeals to all five senses and offers a unique holiday atmosphere.
Related: 13 Great Holiday Gifts, a Holiday Gift Giving Guide
Other markets you might explore (only a few of the many!):
- St. Paul, Minnesota, European Christmas Market
- Denver, CO, Denver Christkindlmarkt
- Washington, DC, Downtown Holiday Market
- Holland, MI, Kerstmarkt
Visiting a Christkindlmarkt during Christmas is a joy. Even if you don’t have one nearby, many shops and fairs help make the season memorable.
Evelyn and Natalie Kelly, a mother-daughter writing team, are co-authors of the best-selling, award-winning “Have a Love Affair with Travel: Your Ticket to an Exhilarating Life” available on Amazon.
