THE THOMS SUNDAY TRAVEL SECTION
Is Thanksgiving weekend behind us? Is it safe to come out yet?
Ohh There’s No Place Like the Christkindlmarkt
A few days ago, a friend boarded a plane to spend some time in France and Germany before Christmas.
A piece of my heart and wanderlust went with him.
But who has the time to jet off to Europe?
Put it on your “to-do” list as it is magical to see how others celebrate, at least once.
In the meantime, is there a way to get a taste of an old country Christmas?
Last year, we talked about the Eastern Christmas Markets in Europe. Are there any markets closer to home?
The Old World Market in the New World.
Several U.S. towns are a little European in flavor year-round.
To them, Christmas is meaningful.
The majority of these have German or Bavarian heritage, so they take October seriously as well.
You are probably thinking Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, and the Dakotas, and you’re not wrong.
But there are some other German towns whose locations may surprise you.
The Western Markets
Leavenworth, Washington
This small Bavarian town nestles on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains two-plus hours from Seattle. It takes some planning to get here. But it is well worth the trip.
This town is a place where they call Santa St. Nickolaus. You can hear musical performances. Smell the chestnuts roasting on an open fire while jack Frost nibbles on your nose. There is a traditional Gluhwein Tent with hot wine and cocoa. Admire the Bavarian architecture, which sports more than half a million lights from December to the end of January. And there is a market on weekends for traditional ornaments and baubles. Snow is possible.
Anaheim California
Before pirates, ghosts, and princesses moved to Anaheim, the town was home to an active German community. You can still see it in the more than average number of German restaurants, bakeries, and shops. Every December, the German Cultural Center holds a Christkindlmarkt (Christmas Market.) The chances of snow are slim, but it doesn’t require an 11+ hour flight from LAX to Frankfurt.
Honorable mention goes to the Christkindl Market in Denver, Colorado.
The Southern Markets
There are German towns in the south? Not just the south, but Texas. Lederhosen meets the Lone Star.
Fredericksburg, TX
Merry Weihnachten, y’all, pretty much sums up this Germantown approximately an hour and a half west of Austin. A month-long festival takes place with activities for all ages. There are home tours and holiday wine trails for the big kids. The Haupt Strasse (Main Street) Marketplatz stretches for over a mile with more than 150 decorated shops and galleries.
New Braunfels TX
Although there is German heritage here, it is a little more country and a little less Rhine and Kaiser rolls. There is Christkindlmarkt, home tours, and parades. More than 40 local wineries participate in a wine trail, and there is caroling in the plaza.
In the Gruene neighborhood, they have photos with Cowboy Kringle and their market and town lighting ceremony.
And so you know its Texas, you can tour Santa’s ranch, or Natural Bridge Caverns both decorated for the holiday.
Helen Georgia
This small town, approximately 90 minutes northeast of Atlanta, is a piece of Bavaria in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Right after Oktoberfest, this Alpine town throws itself into the Christmas spirit. Decorating trees begins in November, and the Christkindlmarkt takes place in the Marketplatz, usually the first weekend in December.
Midwest Markets
New Ulm, MN
This small German town is just under two hours southwest of Minneapolis. Although they may be better known for their summer and October beer festivals, they get into the Christmas spirit. The Friday after Thanksgiving is the evening Parade of Lights and tree lighting. There are several historical buildings worth seeing and a glockenspiel clock tower. The historic downtown area has more than 60 live Christmas trees and real garland hanging over the streets. Throughout the season, there are activities such as candlelight wine tasting for adults and skating with Santa for the kids. In the evening on Dec 24 and 25, the local brewery lights their grounds with luminaries.
Chicago Il
The Windy City is German? Chicago is a little of everything, including German. The Christkindlmarket is downtown in the loop. The Lincoln Square neighborhood has holiday activities, including an indoor German Weihnachtsmarkt.
Milwaukee Wi
Also home to a Christkindlmarket, Milwaukee has numerous Christmas treats. Three parks in downtown have Christmas lights. There are two different drive-through light displays. At least one local brewery has decorations to enjoy and chocolate lager to sample.
Cincinnati Oh
The German Society of Cincinnati hosts the oldest traditional German Christmas market in Southern Ohio. The Cincideutsch Christkindlmarkt takes place each weekend in December and is under heated tents. The OTR (Over-the-Rhine) German neighborhood will also put you in a holiday mood with activities and concerts all through the season.
Special mention to St Paul Minnesota’s European (not German) market
East Markets
Bethlehem Pa
You might not think German with a name like Bethlehem. But it was founded by Germans from what is now part of the Czech Republic. The town calls itself Christmas City, and December hosts many activities. The Christkindlmarkt is the main attraction and appears on many top-10 lists.
Christkindlmarkt Summary
Are there more German towns and German Christmas markets throughout the USA? Absolutely. You’re going to find German traditions in American cities with the names Hamburg, Stuttgart, Bismarck, Munich, New Berlin, and Dresden.
This article is not a best-of list. It is to show you that a bit of European Christmas may not be as far away as you think.
And there are other “traditional” Christmas towns and activities we will cover in another blog.
Just about every state has at least one Christmas market. Where is the closest Christkindlmarkt to you?
To read more, click on any of the orange links.
“See the World” Continued on Page T3 “Taste the World” Continued on T11
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