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Germany has already started ringing in the holiday season with the opening of many Christmas markets this week. And Kaiserslautern was no exception. Kaiserslautern’s market kicked off Monday. And during every Advent weekend, different villages in the KMC will start presenting their Christmas markets, too.
The history of Christmas markets dates back to the 14th century. After farmers had sold their crop, they paid their workers. After attending worship services during Advent, those workers spent their money right away at little markets set up around the church. Most common items offered were sweets and toys. There were also craftsmen selling baskets, pottery, spices, clothes and Christmas tree ornaments.
Today, shoppers will find a variety of candles, angels, Advent wreaths, Christmas pyramids and nutcrackers. Vendors also present ideas for Christmas gifts, such as handmade pottery, handcrafted leather items, glass products, jewelry, wooden toys and puppets. Christmas markets also feature daily activities, musical entertainment, merry-go-rounds and appearances by Santa Claus.
Generally, most Christmas markets in bigger towns open at 10 or 11 a.m. and close between 7 and 10 p.m., depending on the day of the week. The markets in little villages usually don’t start until the early afternoon.
Christmas markets in the KMC and close vicinity:
Alsenz, Dec. 7 and 8
Bann, Dec. 14 and 15
Eisenberg, Nov. 29 to Dec. 1
Enkenbach, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1
Erzenhausen, Dec. 1
Eulenbis, Dec. 15
Falkenstein Castle, Dec. 14 and 15
Frankenstein, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1
Glan-Münchweiler, Dec. 7
Hauptstuhl, Dec. 14
Hirschhorn, Nov. 30
Hochspeyer, Dec. 7 and 8
Homburg, Nov. 29 to Dec. 8
Kaiserslautern, now through Dec. 23; and Dec. 27 to Dec. 30
Katzweiler, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7
Kindsbach, Dec. 7 and 8
Kirchheimbolanden, Dec. 6 to 8
Krickenbach, Dec. 7
Kollweiler, Dec. 14
Kusel, Dec. 13 to 15
Kusel, Lichtenberg Castle (medieval Christmas market), Nov. 30 and Dec. 1
Landstuhl, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1; Dec. 13 to 16
Linden, Nov. 30
Mackenbach, Dec. 14
Neuhemsbach, Schlossberg: Nov. 30 and Dec. 1; community hall: Dec. 7 and 8
Neuleiningen, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1; Dec. 7 and 8
Niederkirchen, Dec. 7
Obermoschel, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1
Obernheim-Kirchenarnbach, Dec. 7 and 8
Olsbrücken, Dec. 15
Otterbach, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1
Otterberg, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14 and 15 (children’s market), and Dec. 22
Ramsen, Dec. 7 and 8
Ramstein-Miesenbach, Dec. 6 to 8
Reichenbach-Steegen, Dec. 7
Rockenhausen, Nov. 29 to Dec. 1
Rodalben, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1
Rodenbach, Nov. 29 and 30
Schallodenbach, Dec. 7 and 8
Schneckenhausen, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1
Schopp, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1
Schwedelbach, Dec. 8
Sulzbachtal, Dec. 8
Trippstadt, House of Sustainability, Johanniskreuzer Strasse 1, Romantic Forest Christmas, Dec. 14 and 15
Waldmohr, Dec. 6 to 8
Weilerbach, Nov. 30 to Dec. 6
Winnweiler, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1
Other markets in Germany:
Ansbach, through Dec. 22
Baden-Baden, through Dec. 30
Bad Münster/Stein-Ebernburg, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1; Dec. 7 and 8; Dec. 14 and 15
Bad Kreuznach, through Dec. 22
Baumholder, Dec. 6 and 7
Berlin, Gendarmenmarkt, through Dec. 31
Bernkastel-Kues/Mosel, through Dec. 22
Bitburg, Dec. 4 to 15
Cochem/Mosel, through Dec. 15
Cochem, Reichsburg Castle, Dec. 14 and 15
Dresden, through Dec. 24
Frankfurt, through Dec. 22
Freinsheim/German Wine Street, Nov. 29 and Dec. 1; Dec. 7 and 8; Dec. 14 and 15; Dec. 21 and 21
Garmisch, Nov. 30 to Dec. 24
Heidelberg, through Dec. 22
Idar-Oberstein, Nov. 29 and Dec. 1 Oberstein (Schloss); Dec. 6 to 8 in Idar
Karlsruhe, through Dec. 23
Kirchheimbolanden, Dec. 6 to 8
Koblenz, through Dec. 22
Köln, through Dec. 23
Landau, through Dec. 22
Leipzig, through Dec. 23
Ludwigshafen, through Dec. 22
Mainz, through Dec. 23
Mannheim, through Dec. 23
München, Nov. 29 to Dec. 24
Neustadt/German Wine Street, through Dec. 22
Nürnberg, Nov. 29 to Dec. 24
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Nov. 29 to Dec. 23
Rüdesheim, through Dec. 23
Saarbrücken, through Dec. 23
Stuttgart, through Dec. 23
St. Wendel, Dec. 7 to 15
Traben-Trarbach (underground market), Nov. 29 to Dec. 5
Trier, through Dec. 22
Wiesbaden, through Dec. 23
Würzburg, Nov. 29 to Dec. 23
Zweibrücken, Dec. 6 to 8; Dec. 13 to 15
Markets in France:
Colmar, through Dec. 31
Metz, through Dec. 28
Strasbourg, through Dec. 31
Wissembourg, Dec. 4 and 5; Dec. 11 and 12; Dec. 18 and 19
