It’s that time of year again. The air is crisp, leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping, and lights and decorations are spouting up everywhere. The end of November typically means turkey, stuffing, and pie for Americans. Elsewhere in the world, this time marks the beginning of a popular holiday tradition, one with a culture of its own. Christmas markets.
After living in Europe for three years, our family was fortunate to be immersed in the Christmas market culture every winter. Just the thought of one of these festive events brings a rush of smells and nostalgic memories. There were few weekends that we didn’t explore a different Christmas market with our little one.
The Christmas market culture is not exclusive to Europe, having swept the world in various forms. Christkindlesmarkt, Weihnactsmarkt, and Winter markets are other names of the same joyous experience. These cultural markets can be found from Tokyo to Cape Town and Tallinn to Santiago, not to mention all over the United States and Europe.
Read on to learn more about these family-friendly marvels and how cultural lessons are literally around every corner.
What are Christmas markets?
Christmas markets can be recognized by their iconic timber stalls laced with evergreen garland and either thatched or colored-fabric roofs. Enter a town square—marktplatz, piazza, or plaza—and feast your eyes on rows of these stalls between which waves of people flow through in two directions.
As you walk, take in the smells of lebkuchen (ginger bread), raclette (melted cheese, apfelwein (hot cider), bratwurst (German sausage), and Christollen (fruit bread). Those are just a few of the delicious foods and beverages you can purchase from local vendors.
You will also see layer upon layer of cultural goods, from hand-stitched hats and hand-carved Nussknackers (nutcrackers) to hand-sewn clothing and hand-made pottery. At some of the larger markets, you may see a larger variety of gift options waiting for you in the open-air.
Christmas market culture extends beyond Christmas shopping and mouth-watering treats. Get ready for displays of cultural practices, such as falconry or caroling in the local language. The religious foundation of the whole ordeal is another testament to its deep-seated heritage.
Let’s learn some more about how the Christmas market culture began.
Traditions steeped in culture
Christmas market culture emerged in the late Middle Ages. Naturally, dates vary widely depending on your source when querying about Christmas market history. Distinguishing a true Christmas market from its precursors (Dezembermarkts) also lacks coherence. Generally, it is agreed that the earliest market resembling a Christmas market occurred in Munich in 1310.
This one was followed by one in Bautzen, Saxony in 1384 and Frankfurt in 1393. The first recognized Christmas market was Dresden’s Striezelmarkt in 1434. Much like its predecessors, the first Striezelmarkt was a free market on the Alktmarkt approved for the public by a ranking official “on the day before Christmas Eve.” Since, it has grown to include over 240 traders who showcase goods, food, and traditional folk art.
The earliest known example of a Dezembermarkt (December market) dates back to around 1296. In Vienna, Austria, Emperor Albrecht I authorized a market for townspeople to stock up on supplies before the cold months. This was a big deal as it was the first known market allowed to occur during Advent (Christian celebration and anticipation of the birth of Christ).
The concept took flight and spread across Europe. The name change took hold under the influence of the Holy Roman Empire, as “Christkindlmarkt” told the tale of the coming of the “Christkind” or “Christchild.” In many places, a local child will dress up like the boy Jesus and make his appearance on opening nights.
The largest boost to the growing Christmas market culture was in the 16th century during the Protestant Reformation. This was when Catholic saints’ days were abolished, leaving children without presents on St. Nicholas’ Day. Martin Luther suggested that the birth of Christ was a better gift-giving occasion, thus Christmas markets began to fill with gift-buying opportunities as people prepared for Christmas day.
Christmas Markets around the world
Christkindlmarkts may be deeply-rooted in religious tradition, yet, the concept took the entire world by storm adopting regional customs and practices wherever they emerged. Of the 21 European countries I have visited, I experienced a Christmas market in all but six. Those six are only a result of me visiting during the Spring or Summer.
As you travel across Europe, you will go from hyper-traditional displays like at Schloss Guteneck to modern wonderlands like those in Brussels or London. In Budapest, you’ll be remiss if you don’t try the Langos (Hungarian fried bread). Don’t forget the pierogies if you find yourself in Warsaw or biltong in South Africa’s Stellenbosch Slow Market.
Food isn’t the only way different regions put a unique stamp on Christmas market culture. Singapore lights up Southeast Asia with a seven-story mirror maze illuminated by 252,000 bulbs and a 21-meter Christmas tree filled with gold lights.
Ever head of a pooping log? That’s right. In Catalonia, the festive character Caga Tio is a small wooden log with a cape and a smiling face that produces gifts after children beat it with a stick. You can get your own and bring this tradition home with you after a visit to Barcelona’s Fira de Santa Llucia Christmas Market.
If you find yourself in the United States this time of year, don’t fret. There are plenty of fantastic options, most notably a Bavarian Village in the Cascade Mountains. Leavenworth, Washington becomes the “Village of Lights” and a cultural melting pot.
The best thing about Christmas market culture is how inclusive it is, absorbing and showcasing regional customs while holding onto its own deep-rooted heritage.
Worldschooling opportunities
What you may not know is that learning is a big part of Christmas market culture. Take a stroll down one of the aisles. What do you see?
I see a handful of artisans working on their crafts. I see open kitchens where you can watch the vendors prepare the dish from scratch. There are some cultural demonstrations with people gathered around holding up their phones. In the back, I walked by stables full of animals, some which people are riding, others are being groomed.
I hear polka music being played by a live band. They are all wearing lederhosen. Informative signs caption many of the centerpieces, from the Christmas tree to the Erzgebirge pyramids (German Christmas Pyramid). The Weihnachtspyramide in Fredericksburg, Texas is nearly indistinguishable from the one in Dresden.
The educational opportunities are enormous for the mindful traveler. This gives each one of you the chance to travel with purpose when experiencing Christmas market culture.
While worldschooling is particularly significant to families with school-age children, here at Novel Excursion, we believe that traveling to learn is transformational and enriching for all ages. Our special flavor of worldschooling, travel schooling, opens up a world of educational possibilities wherever you go, regardless of age.
Any Christmas market is brimming with potential to broaden perspectives and worldviews. All it takes is an open mind and a belly full of cider or gluhwein. That one is age dependent.
Supporting communities
Another important aspect of Christmas market culture is the impact on local communities. Throughout the world, many of these Christmas markets have become highly anticipated festive events. With a constant stream of advertisements pushing us to buy more things, a quaint open-air market is a very attractive alternative to a packed mall.
These cultural events boost the local economy through increased tourist traffic, a greater use of local infrastructure, and the emergence of temporary jobs. The impact is so great that some governments even publish local impact studies to advise cities on the benefit of Christmas markets.
While this may sound like a loss of innocence, taking these traditional events into the realm of commercialism, the allure of Christmas market culture is just the thing to support many local artisans and vendors who would otherwise be struggling during “low season.”
Christmas markets are the seasonal lifeblood for many small, local traders. They are also the perfect vehicle for spreading awareness and appreciation of other cultures around the world.
Christmas Market Top Picks
Before I go, I want to take a brief moment to share our favorite Christmas markets. After asking my wife, Amanda, which Christmas markets were her favorite, I think her answer was perfectly fitting.
“All of them!”
Here is the list we came up with:
The decorations are whimsical and the layout across the city immerses you in the Alsatian culture.
The Weihnachtspyramide is a site to behold! The Kreuzkirche (Church of the Holy Cross) is a historical spectacle nestled into the festivities while the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) gives breathtaking views from above.
The light shows were glamorous and festive. Centrally located, this was a perfect Christmas market to take a 5-year-old.
Tradition and cultural lessons wrap around the majestic castle. This is the smallest on our list but it had some of the most memorable experiences, including a falconry exhibit.
Alive is the best word to describe this massive Christmas market. From dazzling light shows to local fur traders, you will get the best of Eastern Europe.
Don’t forget to travel mindfully
Christmas market culture is living and breathing. It is fluid and adaptable, yet steady and resolute. The heritage which founded Christmas markets is forever engrained in the festival. However, it is readily apparent that every corner of society has created their own flavor of this winter tradition.
Whether you celebrate the holiday or not, Christmas markets can truly bridge cultures as different customs and norms are infused into its identity. We can find unity in hard work, proud traditions, cultural lessons, and good food.
If you’re interested in learning how to craft your lifestyle so you can see more of these amazing Christmas markets, consider minimizing and trying out some new traditions. Check out last week’s article all of that very topic, “Minimalism and the Season of Gift-Giving.”
So, go see the world.
Until next time…
Travel to learn. Travel to serve. Travel with purpose.
Michael
~ Change the world one nameless stranger at a time. ~
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