AChristmas market^[a] is astreet market associated with the celebration ofChristmas during the four weeks ofAdvent.^[1] These markets originated in Germany, but are now held in many countries.^[2] Some in the U.S. haveadapted the German name to quasi-EnglishChristkindlmarket, swapping GermanMarkt andmarket.^[3][4]

Christmas markets date to theLate Middle Ages in the German-speaking part of Europe and in many parts of the formerHoly Roman Empire, which included many eastern regions of modern France.^[2] They became a popular Advent custom during theReformation era.^[1]Dresden'sStriezelmarkt was first held in 1434 and one of the first true Christmas markets;^[5] earlier markets of the season were "December markets".^[5][6] Early mentions of these "December markets" can be found inVienna (1296),^[7]Munich (1310),^[5]Bautzen (1384),^[8] andFrankfurt (1393).^[9]

In many towns in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria,Advent is usually ushered in with the opening of the Christmas market orWeihnachtsmarkt. In southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria, it is called aChristkind(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 theChristkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, and in some other towns, onlookers welcome theChristkind (originallyboy Jesus, but often depicted as an angel-like girl), acted by a local child.

The first traces of Christmas markets in the German-speaking part of Europe and in many parts of the formerHoly Roman Empire go back tolate medieval sales fairs and—often one-day—markets, which gave citizens the opportunity to stock up on meat and winter necessities at the beginning of the cold season.^[10] In 1296,Duke Albert I of Austria granted theViennese traders the privilege of holding a "December market" to supply the local population.^[11]

In the 14th century, the custom arose of allowing craftsmen such as toy makers, basket weavers and confectioners to set up stalls under the name "Saint Nicholas market" to sell the little things that children received as Christmas gifts. There were also stands selling roasted chestnuts, nuts and almonds.^[12] A Saint Nicholas market inMunich was first mentioned in a document in 1310. In 1384, King Wenceslas granted the town ofBautzen the right to hold a free meat market on Saturdays from St. Michael's Day (29 September) until Christmas.^[13][14]

Over time, the tradition spread throughout the German-speaking world. The first document reporting a Christmas market is dated 1434 during the reign ofFrederick II of Saxony, mentioning aStriezelmarkt, which took place inDresden on the Monday before Christmas. Later, theReformation continued the tradition by renaming itChristkindlmarkt ("Christ Child market") to combat the cult of saints. TheStrasbourg Christmas market dates from 1570,^[15] that ofNuremberg from 1628.^[16]

In the 19th century, theChristkindelsmärik (inAlsatian) of Strasbourg was held at theFrohnhof (French:Cour aux Corvées) between theCathedral of Our Lady, thePalais Rohan and theŒuvre Notre-Dame Museum (current Place du Château) and took place eight days before Christmas and until midnight mass.^[17]

Since around the first half of the 20th century, markets have become an integral element of pre-Christmas customs. A revival took place in the mid-1990s. Many cities in Europe have established their own Christmas market with chalets and sometimes attractions (ephemeralice rink,Ferris wheel, etc.), thus offering a more commercial market.

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  Engraving of the Christmas market at theCity Palace inBerlin, Germany, 1796
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  Litography of the Christmas market inNuremberg, Germany, in the 19th century
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  Depiction of the Christmas market on thePlace Kléber inStrasbourg, France, 1859

In the 21st century, Christmas markets in Western Europe were repeatedly the targets of terror attacks, with completed or thwarted attacks occurring in Dijon, Nantes,Berlin, Potsdam, Vienna,^[18]Strasbourg, andMagdeburg.^[19][20] Christmas markets increasingly have security procedures such as bollards, uniformed and plainclothes police officers, and surveillance to protect visitors.^[21]

Popular attractions at the markets include theNativity Scene (a crèche or crib),Zwetschgenmännle (figures made of decorated dried plums),Nussknacker (carvedNutcrackers),Gebrannte Mandeln (candied, toasted almonds), traditional Christmas cookies such asLebkuchen andMagenbrot (both forms of softgingerbread),Bratwurst, andGlühwein, hotmulled wine (with or without a shot ofbrandy), orEierpunsch (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 includeChriststollen (Stollen), a sort of bread with candied fruit in Saxony, and hotApfelwein andFrankfurterBethmännchen in Hesse.

Christmas markets are popular traditions in Austria, and are held inVienna,Salzburg,Innsbruck,Linz, andGraz. The first "December Market" was held in Vienna in 1298.^[22] Vienna holds 20 different Christmas markets around the city.^[22] Most Christmas markets open in late November and last through December, closing between Christmas Day and New Year's Day, with a few staying open for New Year's.^[23]

The largest Christmas market and one of the most well known is the Vienna Christmas World onRathausplatz, near theRathaus, 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.^[24][25] The Vienna Christmas World on Rathausplatz also features an advent theme park called theAdventzauber with workshops and cultural performances that cater to families and young children. Visitors to the Vienna Christmas World can also ice skate on a 3,000-square-metre (32,000 sq ft) ice rink and on frozen paths that run through the Rathausplatz Park.^[24]

Other famous Christmas markets include the Christmas Market atSchönbrunn Palace, the Art Advent onKarlsplatz, the Christmas Village atBelvedere Palace, and the Christmas Village onMaria-Theresien-Platz.^[25] 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.^[26] Popular food specialities includeKinderpunsch (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 inAlsace, France, and most of the towns there have their local Christmas market.^[27]Strasbourg has been holding a Christmas market, "Christkindelsmärik," around its cathedral since 1570, when the city was part of theHoly Roman Empire of the German Nation.^[28]

Famous Christmas markets are held in the cities ofAugsburg,Dresden,Erfurt,Frankfurt,Nuremberg, andStuttgart, making them popular tourist attractions during the Christmas holiday season.^[29][30] 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 inDortmund, with more than three and a half million visitors of 300 stalls around a gigantic Christmas tree that stands 45 metres (148 ft) tall, and inCologne with 4 million people.^[31] Additionally, Berlin claims more than 70 markets, which open in late November and close just after Christmas.^[32]

Christmas in Italy begins on 8 December with theFeast of the Immaculate Conception, the day on which traditionally Christmas trees are erected, and ends on 6 January of the following year withEpiphany.^[33]

In Italy, the oldest Christmas market is considered to be that ofBologna, held for the first time in the 18th century and linked to the feast of Saint Lucia.^[34] The tradition of the markets has however spread in Italy predominantly especially since the 1990s, with the birth of the first modern markets: among these, the first ever was that ofBolzano, born in 1991, which was followed by others in the area ofAlto Adige,^[35] in particular inMerano,Bressanone,Vipiteno andBrunico.^[36]

TheTrento Christmas market, established in 1993, is renowned inTrentino.^[37] InNaples, where the tradition of theNeapolitan nativity scene has been famous for centuries, the exhibition of the nativity scenes made in the city's artisan shops is held every year in via San Gregorio Armeno.^[38] Noteworthy are the Christmas markets atPiazza Navona inRome,^[39] inVerona, inGubbio, inAlberobello, inAosta, inTorino, inAsti, inArezzo, inFlorence, inTrieste, inLivigno, inSanta Maria Maggiore,Arco and inCison di Valmarino.^[40][41][42]

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 inBirmingham,Edinburgh,Leeds, andManchester.^[43] Other large Christmas markets have been held in England inBath (since 2000) andLiverpool (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 onNew Street between theBullring shopping centre and theCouncil House, is the "largest outdoor Christmas market in the UK"^[44] as well as the "largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria".^[45] 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 theAlbert Square, Manchester proving to be the most popular.^[46][47]

German immigrants carried Christmas market celebrations to the United States. It is celebrated in such cities asChicago,Denver,Salt Lake City,Tulsa, andGrand Rapids.^{[48][49][50][51][52][53][54]}

As noted, other countries have also established such markets. The Christmas market ofBarcelona starts on 13 December,Saint Lucy's Day, and is calledFira de Santa Llúcia. It has been held in the square ofBarcelona Cathedral since 1786.^[55][56]

TheGUM-fair was opened on theRed Square inMoscow,Russia in 2013. It's been running ever since from December to the end of October and is the biggest and most popular christmas market in Russia.^[57][58]

A traditional Christmas market was held for the first time inSibiu, Romania, in 2007.^[59]

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  Tallinna Jõuluturg inTallinn, Estonia
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  Christmas market inJena, Germany
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  Christmas market inColmar, France
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  Christkindelsmärik inStrasbourg, France
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  Christmas market inErfurt, Germany
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  Christmas market atPiazza Navona inRome, Italy
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  Tuomaan Markkinat at theSenate Square inHelsinki, Finland
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  Christmas market inBolzano, Italy
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  GUM-fair at theRed Square inMoscow, Russia
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  Julmarknad ("Christmas market") inGamla stan, Stockholm, Sweden
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  Christmas market inCologne, Germany
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  Sibiu Christmas market inSibiu, Romania
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  Christmas market inWrocław, Poland
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  Christmas market inVienna, Austria
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  Christmas market atWaddesdon Manor, UK
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  Christmas market inRiga, Latvia

• Christmas traditions
• 2016 Berlin truck attack
• 2018 Strasbourg attack
• 2024 Magdeburg car attack

• 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

•   Media related toChristmas markets at Wikimedia Commons
•  Christmas markets travel guide from Wikivoyage