A Christmas Market is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent. These markets originated in Germany and Austria but are now held in many other countries. German immigrants brought their Christmas market celebrations to the United States. According to Wikipedia, there are currently 20 Christmas markets held in the United States each year. Well, now there are 21!

Imagine snow falling as you detect the aroma of roasted chestnuts mixed with sizzling Austrian sausages. You’re meeting up with friends or family to spend the afternoon sipping warm mulled wine or a seasonal brew as you walk through an open air market to complete your holiday shopping. You’re looking for Old-World, local products that your friends and family would love.

The wide range of items available for purchase and always popular with visitors at traditional Christmas Markets includes hand-blown and painted ornaments, straw ornaments, steins, and classic German products like nutcrackers, wooden smokers and wooden figures for incense. In addition, vendors offer toys for all ages, jewelry, clothes, home décor, and wooden handicrafts. Some vendors even demonstrate how their handicrafts are made at the market and visitors can purchase their creations directly from the workbench.