Every year at this time, we enjoy stepping back to a time and place where my German husband and I first met, a Christmas Market! My husband and I enjoyed strolling markets in Germany, sipping our Glühwein and enjoying the trinkets being sold in open-air stalls, and have since enjoyed experiencing the nuanced and different perspectives of other cultures’ take on the traditional German Christmas market. Would you like to experience The Magic of Christmas Markets? If you live in the Dallas, DFW area, let me tell you where you can experience an authentic Christmas Market.
If you haven’t been to one, Christmas markets are truly magical. They look, smell, and feel everything the Christmas season should be about being laughter, relaxing, simple shopping of handmade-quality gifts (the type of gifts that become heirlooms), drinking & eating, homemade cookies, children playing, advent, and more.
Christmas Markets translates to “Weihnachtsmarkt” in German and “Christkindelsmarkt” meaning Christ Child Maker, in Southern Bavaria and Austria.
Christmas markets now take place internationally, however, the very first Christmas market in the world was held in Dresden, Germany in 1434.
At a traditional Christmas Market, no matter what the temperature is, seasonal goods are sold from open-air stalls. There is something so wonderful about adding nature and raw weather alongside life experiences to be enjoyed.
The Weihnachtsmarkt at The German International School of Dallas:
From crafted jams, dolls, aprons, scarfs, ornaments, hats, cookies, advent calendars, stollen (traditional cake) and more, The Weihnachtsmarkt at The German International School of Dallas always has an abundance of homemade goods to sell.
Everything is made by moms and teachers of the German ISD school. This is also a fundraising event for the school.
Additionally, my boys get to see Saint Nicholas who visits the school. The singing of Christmas songs brings St. Nick to the school and he not only makes an appearance but he also reads, talks with, and passes out bags of goods to the children. St. Nicholas is such a generous person. He thinks of giving rather than receiving.
We attend the GISD’s Weihnachtsmarkt every year. We buy homemade German Christmas cookies, my boys get a picture with Saint Nicholas and we usually buy a crafted good sold at the market.
In Germany, St. Nick does not visit children the night before or day of Christmas but comes instead on December 6 of every year. Then on Christmas Eve, a Christkind (Christ Child) which looks like an angel, visits children with gifts.
And then…there is this guy, Krampus. Read more about Krampus, here.
Here is more information on the Christmas Markets in the DFW area:
Experience the Magic of Christmas Markets in Dallas, Texas:
1) The Arlington Christmas Market, an annual market promoting a traditional German Christmas-market experience like those held in Germany and throughout Europe for the holidays.
The Arlington Market, features German music, food, vendors, kids activities as well as regional favorites for you and your family to enjoy.
I’m excited to go again this year with my family #TXChristkindl
November 23 thru December 23, 2018, Sunday – Thursday (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.) Friday and Saturday, (11 a.m. to 10 p.m). Location: The Plaza at Texas Live, 1650 E. Randol Mill Road, Arlington, TX 76011
2) The German International School of Dallas Weihnachtsmarkt Saturday, December 1st, 2018(2-5pm). Location: 12411 Templeton Trl, Dallas, TX, 75234.
If you are interested in other German celebrations or events in Dallas, TX, such as German school camps or Martinstag, please let us know or contact The German International School of Dallas or The Dallas Goethe Center.
It is with their support that the German community in Dallas continues to grow and stay connected.
Have you been to a Christmas market in Europe, U.S., Australia or somewhere else? If so, where and what did you think about the market?
Thank you for this wonderful article, Beth! I am really looking forward welcoming you to our Weihnachtsmarkt soon – together with many more who will follow our invitation to come and enjoy a little German Christmas Spirt, here in North Texas!
I spent this Thanksgiving in Germany. Spent many days in many different Christmas markets. They were the most wonderful places I’ve ever spent time in and I’m 49! I think the mist beautiful one was the one that sits under The Colonge Cathedral in Colonge Germany. Although I don’t drink alcohol I loved the non alcoholic beverage ” kinder punch”!
I wish I could share one of my 3500 photos from my 14 days in Germany and 5 other Europen Countries! I’m going back in March!!