Some people complain about the commercialization of Christmas. It was inevitable, however, that a holiday season associated with gift giving was going to have commercial ties. Today Christmas goods can be found in every kind of store, from supermarkets to hardware stores. There is a tendency for people, as they grow older, to remember — and often long for — simpler times. The days when department store windows were elaborately decorated with holiday displays. Think of the 1983 instant classic movie, The Christmas Story, with Ralphie pressing his nose against the display window longing for a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. Some people even long for days of Charles Dickens, when street vendors were hawking roasted chestnuts and shoppers had to visit dozens of stores to find appropriate gifts.
Recent tragic events in Magdeburg, Germany, remind us of one longstanding holiday tradition: the Christmas market. Journalist Elizabeth Djinis reminds us that those markets trace back to medieval times and some people travel great distances to visit them. She writes, “For many, Christmas markets evoke nostalgia, with their glowing lights, sugary smells, and joyful sounds reminding visitors of yuletides past. But while the tradition of street vendors hawking their wares around the holidays dates back hundreds of years, the Christmas market as it’s known today is a surprisingly modern creation.”[1]
The History of Christmas Markets
Most historians trace the origins of Christmas markets to medieval Europe. Such markets provided a way for people to stock up on winter supplies and hold one last celebration before winter settled in. The earliest winter market was established in Vienna in 1296, when Duke Albert I of Austria granted traders the right to hold a 14-day “December market” to supply the city. Djinis notes, “Despite the timing of these festivities, the fairs weren’t directly connected to Christmas and did not appear to be religious in nature.” Another winter market was opened in Munich in 1310. According to Djinis, the next example of an Advent month market — but one not necessarily Christmas-themed — was “found in Bautzen, Germany. In 1384, Wenceslas IV, king of Bohemia, gave the city the right to hold a free market, allowing butchers to sell meat until Christmas.” That same year a winter market was opened in Bautzen. In 1393, Frankfurt joined in.
To find the first true Christmas market, one must jump forward nearly half-a-century to 1434 and land in Dresden, Germany. Dresden’s winter market was known as the Striezelmarkt. The name comes from the Strüzel cake, which is now known as Stollen or Christstollen. The staff at Honeybee Productions notes, “The Striezelmarkt, like the other early markets, was traditionally held in the town square and began by selling only meat. Over time the markets evolved to include other everyday purchases, and eventually grew to include seasonal treats and handicrafts such as baskets, toys, woodcarvings, roasted nuts, gingerbread, and other baked goods, accompanied by singing and dancing. In the past, only local tradesmen were permitted to sell their crafts at the city’s market, which contributes to the distinctive regional character still seen in today’s markets.”[2]
Christmas Markets Around the World
With so many Christmas markets available, you might be wondering which ones are the best. After reviewing a number of articles about favorite Christmas markets, the following venues around the world make many of the “favorites” lists. In country alphabetical order, they are:
● Wiener Christkindlmarkt, Austria. Freelance journalist Tamara Hardingham-Gill, reports, “With reindeer rides, a giant Ferris wheel and a classic Nativity scene, Vienna’s magical spectacle encapsulates the festive spirit fantastically.”[3]
● Winter Wonders Brussels, Belgium. The staff at HolidayPirates reports, “Brussels’s bustling Christmas market — known as Winter Wonders — is one of the largest Christmas markets outside of Germany. Stretching from the Grand Place to Place Sainte Catherine and beyond, it is packed with activities for both children and adults. In addition to over 240 stalls serving everything from warming shots of liquor to waffles hot off the iron, visitors will find an illuminated big wheel, light displays and a 200-foot skating rink.”[4]
● Christmas Market, Bath, England. The HolidayPirates staff also recommends the Christmas Market in Bath. They report, “Set against the backdrop of Bath Abbey’s soaring spires, Bath’s annual Christmas market transforms the historic city into an enchanting maze of over 200 wooden chalets, holiday decorations and traditional festivities. This English town’s take on the classic German Christmas market is one of the country’s most popular and is perfect for [British] travelers who don’t fancy flying out of the country to visit a Christmas Market.”
● Christkindelsmärik, Strasbourg, France. Journalist Laura Kiniry reports, “Strasbourg hosts nearly a dozen Christmas markets, but Christkindelsmärik is the largest. Hundreds of artisans sell traditional holiday gifts and handmade items in the area around Strasbourg Cathedral. First held in 1570, the market is one of Europe’s oldest. Thanks to Strasbourg’s close proximity to Germany and Switzerland, this is a great place to sample dishes from all three countries as well as seasonal treats such as spaetzle and grittibaenz, which is spiced bread shaped like little men.”[5]
● Senate Square Market, Helsinki, Finland. Journalists Caitlin Morton and Jessica Chapel, report, “This market scores major points for its mix of contemporary and traditional — as well as its commitment to sustainability. Though visitors can do everything from playing bingo for a vegan ham to watching a holiday outfit contest for dogs, it’s not all quirky: Choirs sing Christmas carols on the weekends, and visitors can stroll illuminated market stalls while drinking hot mulled wine. Try some artisan cheeses or munch on candied nuts and jam-filled pastries. Not feeling Finnish enough for you? Relax in the wood-heated unisex sauna, smack in the middle of the market in Senate Square.”[6]
● Kölner Dom Market, Cologne, Germany. Journalist Chris Wilson reports, “One of the most well-known markets in Germany, Cologne’s Kölner Dom sits in the shadow of the imposing, Unesco-listed Cathedral. The heart of Cologne’s most picturesque market is a giant Christmas tree surrounded by dozens of mini chalets, while the stage is the site of over a hundred performances during the festive season.”[7] He adds, “There are six other markets in the city, the largest of which is the Henzels Winter Fairytale in the old town. With a more romantic feel than the touristy Kölner Dom, it has an ice rink and larger chalets that serve as drinking holes in between browsing the various handicrafts and gifts. The best food market for all sorts of traditional German cuisine and Christmas treats is at Neumarket, while families will appreciate the child-friendly workshops at the Village of St Nicholas in the aptly named Rudolfplatz.”
● Muelle Uno, Paseo de Parque, and light displays on Calle Marques de Larios, Málaga, Spain. Morton and Chapel ask, “Want to escape the cold and try out a Mediterranean winter?” Their recommendation, “Head to the south of Spain for one of Andalucia’s most famous Christmas market destinations. Stroll from the old port and Santa’s Grotto to Paseo de Parque to buy some local crafts. Nibble on traditional shortbread, nougat, and borrachuelos (wine-flavored fried pastries) as you make your way to Calle Marques de Larios to see the elaborate light displays. Best of all? You can even soak up festive cheer after the main holidays end, as the markets run into early January.”
● Basel Christmas Market, Switzerland. Hardingham-Gill reports, “It’s hard to find a destination that does Christmas better than Switzerland. Most Swiss towns are pretty much taken over by festive markets at this time of year, and the atmosphere is incredible. But Basel Christmas Market is the biggest and arguably the best around. Separated into two sections at Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz, it’s made up of around 150 fabulously decorated stalls selling Christmas spices, decorations and candles. Family attractions include the Christmas fairytale forest at Münsterplatz with activities such as gingerbread and candle decorating, a star workshop and a festive train.”
● Union Square Holiday Market, New York City, United States. Journalists Ed Cunningham and Liv Kelly report, “There are a handful of Christmassy spots which crop up all over New York during the festive season, with the gargantuan trees and pretty lights we all recognize from classic Christmas movies, but the Union Square Holiday Market is the place to head if you’re after some good old-fashioned gift-buying and a cup of hot chocolate or two. Nestled in Midtown South between East 14th and 17th street, more than 150 vendors set up hut here from mid-November, so there’s no excuse for last-minute shopping.”[8]
Concluding Thoughts
I’ve only touched on a few of the numerous Christmas markets one can visit around the world. It may be too late to visit this year; however, you might just want to plan a trip next year. You not only get to do your holiday shopping you get an adventure as well. I hope you all have a happy and safe holiday season. Happy holidays from all of us at Enterra Solutions©.
Footnotes
[1] Elizabeth Djinis, “A Brief History of Christmas Markets,” Smithsonian Magazine, 19 December 2022.
[2] Staff, “The History of Europe’s Christmas Markets,” Honeybee Productions.
[3] Tamara Hardingham-Gill, “The best Christmas markets taking place around the world in 2024,” CNN, 3 November 2024.
[4] Staff, “Our top 26 Christmas markets,” HolidayPirates, 2024.
[5] Laura Kiniry, “Spectacular Holiday Markets Around the World,” Frommer’s, 2024.
[6] Caitlin Morton and Jessica Chapel, “28 Best Christmas Markets in Europe, From Antwerp to Zagreb,” Condé Nast Traveler, 30 October 2024.
[7] Chris Wilson, “10 of the best Christmas markets in the world,” The Independent, 8 October 2024.
[8] Ed Cunningham and Liv Kelly, “The 15 best Christmas markets in the world,” TimeOut, 29 August 2024.
