Who invented the Christmas market?

The origin of the Christmas market

The Christmas market known today always takes place in the run-up to Christmas and has a region-specific name. In some places it is called the Advent or mulled wine market, the best-known name is the Christkindlmarkt.

• The origin goes back to the late Middle Ages. Back then, at the beginning of the cold season, there were mostly one-day markets in the larger settlements. There, the citizens could stock up on food such as meat and everything they needed for the upcoming winter. For the selling farmers and traders these markets represented an important source of income.
• In the 14th In the 19th century, the custom developed that on these market days craftsmen such as toy makers or basket weavers and confectioners were allowed to offer their goods for sale there. Parents could do little things there for their children
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  Christmas to buy.
• Since it was already very cold outside on those first market days, stalls selling roasted, hot almonds, nuts and chestnuts were also introduced.
• At the beginning of the 20th In the 19th century, the markets were expanded and could be held over several days. Within a few years they became part of the custom of the pre-Christmas period and lasted through the entire pre-Christmas period.


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Who invented these markets

The Christmas market was not invented by a person to be named, it arose from a tradition held in our region. It was invented by our ancestors, and the first long-term Christmas markets were held in German cities. Over time, this tradition has expanded further. Today you can find Christmas markets in many other countries as well.

The Christmas market has changed

In the past, the first markets served purely to supply the citizens in order to survive the winter, today commerce plays one of the most important roles. The dealers prepare well in advance for these four-week markets, as a visitor you can usually not see everything that is on offer.

• In addition to the typical Christmas items, there are many useful things such as soaps, furs and warming hats and gloves of a special design. You can buy any kind of Christmas decoration there. Children can usually ride on a carousel and there are numerous stalls for their physical well-being.

• The traditional stands offering woodwork from the Ore Mountains, gingerbread from Nuremberg or Aachener Printen are particularly beautiful. The mulled wine stand also has a permanent place at the Christmas market.

The big Christmas markets of today

Today there are Christmas markets in many major German cities that are known across borders and also attract visitors from abroad.

• The Essen Christmas market extends over the entire city center and is also supported by the annual Essen Light Weeks. With over 250 stalls, it is one of the largest Christmas markets in all of Germany. On the weekends in particular, many guests from abroad such as Holland or Belgium come there.
• The Munich Christkindlmarkt is one of the oldest German Christmas markets and attracts an audience of millions.
• In Dortmund, on the other hand, there is the largest Christmas tree with a height of 45 meters. On a correspondingly high wooden frame, numerous spruces are lined up close together and one above the other, so that the giant tree is created.
• The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is also very famous, visitors travel long distances to experience the special atmosphere. It takes place in the adjoining old town and stretches across streets that are also adjacent to the nearest squares. With over 180 stalls, it is one of the largest Christmas markets in Germany. According to tradition, this market has existed since 1628.
• In the Aachen city center, the Christmas market has a special flair, as most of the buildings were still built in the old half-timbered style.

The Christmas market is now an integral part of the run-up to Christmas, it was invented by a German tradition.