Experience the magic of a Christmas Market break
The Tradition of Christmas Markets
Did you know that the first recorded Christmas markets date back as far as the 1400s? The markets gave people living in rural areas the chance to make a special trip into town to get all of their Christmas shopping done in one go. Craftsmen would lay their goods out on the street, which consisted of wooden toys, sweets, and simple foods. People could also get their knives sharpened and cooking pots mended. Little did these people know that the European Christmas markets would become a tradition that is still going strong centuries later.
These days, Christmas markets are much more colorful. Imagine cozy wooden cabins selling handmade gifts from around the region, twinkling Christmas lights shining brightly as the evening draws in, and the delicious smells of traditional good food. In fact, there’s no need to imagine, as this year you could actually be there among the hustle and bustle with a glass of mulled wine and a bag full of unusual presents for the family.
Festive Facts
Here are a few interesting festive facts about the traditions of Christmas:
Martin Luther's Influence: It was Martin Luther who first introduced new customs for Christmas. Originally, people exchanged presents on St Nicholas’ Day on December 6th, but Luther suggested children receive their presents from the Christ child instead, moving the day to Christmas Eve. This helped establish the Christmas markets into longer and more special events. Today, they begin the last week of November, signaling the beginning of Advent, and run right up until just before Christmas. The first recorded mention of a decorated Christmas tree is from all the way back in 1510 AD!
The Christmas Tree Tradition: One of the lasting images of the festive season is the Christmas tree. The first recorded mention of a decorated tree goes back to Riga, Latvia, in around 1510 AD. The first trees to arrive in British homes came with the Georgian kings who originated in Germany. However, it was only when Prince Albert, Queen Victoria, and their family were illustrated in a London newspaper in 1846 enjoying Christmas around a tree that the public followed suit and began buying and decorating trees of their own. Many of the Christmas markets have brightly decorated trees, keeping up the tradition.
Church and Markets: When Christmas markets first started, they were held around the city’s main church, just like the markets in places like Cologne and Trier are today. This was done to attract churchgoers. In 1616, a priest in Nuremberg complained that he could not hold the afternoon service on Christmas Eve as the stalls were so enticing and no one was attending. And the markets are even more enticing today.
The Best Places to Visit
If you’d like to join us and visit one of the many European Christmas markets but aren’t sure which is the right one for you, then here’s a little help:
Germany
- For picture postcard scenery, there’s Cochem with its fairy tale castle set on a vine-clad hill looking down over the river. Add to this the sights and sounds of the Christmas market for a truly magical experience.
- If it’s variety you want, then Cologne is the place as it has 6 different markets dotted around the city, including the floating market aboard one of the cruise ships moored along the Rhine promenade.
- To taste delicious pastries and cakes straight from the oven, visit Aachen. The town’s bakers distribute produce all over the world, and the Christmas markets in the old city center attract over 1.5 million visitors annually.
- For a little local entertainment, visit Trier where local artists perform at the Market Pavilion, and while you’re soaking in the atmosphere, why not try some pancakes with a hot chocolate?
France
- Christmas market breaks provide the perfect opportunity to pick up those last-minute Xmas gifts! Rouen, the capital of upper Normandy, truly enjoys the run-up to Christmas to the full. You’re bound to find something you want to buy amongst the stalls full of Normandy cider, cheeses, and the local brandy, Calvados.
- For local handicraft gifts, visit Lille where you can buy items such as jewelry and pottery after a ride on the ferris wheel.
Austria
- If you want sightseeing as well as shopping, then visit Innsbruck. This beautiful alpine town has twice been host to the Winter Olympics, plus there’s the Golden Roof, Imperial Palace, and Triumphal Arch to see.
- For a romantic getaway, Salzburg is the place. As well as the stalls set around the Baroque Cathedral, there are pretty boutiques and you can visit the birthplace of Mozart.
These are but a few of the Christmas markets in Europe that Leger Holidays can take you to. And whether you travel by coach, Eurostar, or air, you are sure to have one of the most amazing festive experiences ever! You can find out more about our selection of Christmas Market Breaks on our website.
