K-Town Christmas market opens

by Petra Lessoing
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs


Kaiserslautern will offer Christmas shopping of a special kind by opening its Christmas market Nov. 26. The market will continue through Dec. 23 around the Stiftskirche and on Schillerplatz.

After Christmas, the market will turn into a New Year’s market, from Dec. 27 to 30.

The market will feature a variety of shopping, food and glühwein booths, musical entertainment, a children’s program and various Christmas-related activities.

Kaiserslautern’s lord mayor, Dr. Klaus Weichel, and the “Christkind” will officially open the Christmas market at 6 p.m. Nov. 26 from the stage on Schillerplatz. At the same time, the festive illuminations across the Christmas market and throughout the center of town will be turned on.

Vendors will sell typical Christmas items such as ornaments, candles, angels, nutcrackers and Advent wreaths. Shoppers will find ideas for Christmas presents such as wooden toys, leather items, glass products, jewelry and pottery.

Culinary specialties that will be offered at the Christmas market include Thüringer bratwurst, pizza, roasted chestnuts, cinnamon waffles and the typical winter drink, “glühwein,” a heated red wine spiced with cloves and cinnamon sticks.

“The city’s emphasis is on tradition and a certain continuity,” said Alexander Hess from the project office for city events. “Our musical program will satisfy many wishes. Diversity will be granted with music by Stephan Flesch, Waymond Harding to gospel choirs and brass players.”

The full program can be found in flyers found in local stores, restaurants, banks and the tourist information office next to the Fruchthalle.

As in recent years, the German-American Community Office will present American performers on the Schillerplatz stage from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6.

“Novelties and highlights will turn our Christmas market into a special event,” Hess said. “Like in recent years, we again include the atrium of the Stiftskirche into our market concept.”

There will be a bonfire, a nativity scene, and artisans and stone sculptors presenting their works.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Kaiserslautern Zoo will set up a petting zoo with some of their animals, allowing the nativity scene to come to life.

The Kaiserslautern Christmas market will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 1 to 9 p.m. Sundays.

For more information, visit www.kaiserslautern.de.