The History of Christkindlmarkt

Since the early 14th century, in many towns in Germany and in Austria, Advent is usually ushered in with the opening of the town's "Christmas market", in the southern parts of Germany and in Austria often also called "Christkindlmarkt". Generally held in the town square, the open-air markets are comprised of wooden huts decorated in greenery and lights, offering food and drink, shopping and pageantry.

Originally the most significant winter holiday was Saint Nicholas' day on December 6th. It was a time to give presents to children on behalf of this beloved saint. With the rise of Martin Luther, Protestantism spread and Saint Nicholas' day diminished in its festivities. It was hard for the Protestants to simple eliminate a much-awaited celebration, especially as the days were cold and dreary, people needed some activity to brighten the winter months. In solution, the Protestants replaced what they considered a Catholic holiday, Saint Nicholas' day, with celebrations on a new day, December 25th, for the birth of the Christ Child.

Instead of Saint Nick giving presents to the children, a new legend was begun where the "Christ child" would give gifts on Christmas Eve.  Although we still remember Saint Nicholas in the form of "Father Christmas" or Santa Claus, his feast day has faded with the rise of this new "Christmas" holiday. Ironically, the German words for "Christ Child" or "Christ Kindl" have been used in pronunciation of "Kris Kringle" the American name for Santa Claus as these two holidays have melded together.

During the Advent time (the four weeks before Christmas), farmers, tradesmen and artisans would meet around the churches. These gatherings included song, food and small gifts. These were such a hit with the local populations that people would come and "set up shop" in the streets around the churches where they would sell homemade crafts. Examples of the crafts can still be found in the markets today, like nutcrackers, German smokers filled with fragrant incense, music boxes, as well as favorite foods like grilled bratwurst, gingerbread cookies, baked apples and Glühwein, or spiced warm wine.

As the gatherings grew, they began to overtake the town squares. What was once individuals laying goods out on sheets in the streets quickly became groups of small huts. Nuremberg was the first city to give a name to this celebration calling it, "Christkindlmarkt." Christkindlmarkt is a compounded noun, that when translated literally means "Christ child market". Similar markets in Munich, Dresden, Salzburg, etc. all begin with a welcome of the Christkindl with a local youth dressed as an angel and have choirs singing Christmas carols.