Holiday Countdown

Holiday Countdown

Day 19: Christmas Market

Author: Alison Fong is the outreach intern for the University of Arkansas Museum, Museum Advisory Council member and a senior majoring in History, International & Global Studies, and Asian Studies.

Christkindlmarkt in Chicago, the largest German-style holiday market in the USA

Holiday Markets, also known as Christkindlmarkt (English: literally Christ Child Market, but usually refers to the term “Christkind”, an angelic “spirit of Christmas”), date all the way back to the Late Middle Ages in German-speaking areas of Europe. Typically, a holiday market is celebrated during the four weeks of Advent. The first true holiday market was celebrated in Dresden in 1434, as prior holiday markets were more so “December markets” than holiday markets.  

The best parts about holiday markets are the numerous artisan goods and the delicious German food. Moreover, holiday markets have a certain atmosphere to them that can’t help but make people smile. While there is nothing more genuine and wonderful than experiencing a European holiday market, did you know that certain American cities and towns hold their own holiday markets?

Many of these cities and towns generally have a history of German settlers and immigrants. Although these holiday markets may not be as similar to the ones in Germany, they still bring a unique and traditional holiday cheer. 

Are you interested in visiting a German holiday market without traveling to Germany? Here are all the German Christmas markets in the United States, so keep them in mind for next year: German-style Christmas Markets in the United States – @GermanyinUSA 

Image Credits:

• Christkindlmarket Chicago. Daniel X. O’Neil. Wikimedia Commons.