Christmas Markets: the festive heart of the holiday season

Happy Friday folks,

Welcome to the highlight of your week: The House of Wisdom.

Christmas Markets. A cherished tradition that traces its roots back centuries. During the winter season, I’m sure you’d be inclined to agree that they could possibly be the greatest part of the festive spirit of what Culture, History and Tradition have to offer.

But there’s more to it than just celebration; there are centuries of history that are left to uncover…

The story begins in medieval Europe.

The earliest precursors of Christmas markets can be found in the December markets held during the Late Middle Ages, meant for villages to stock up on winter supplies.

And one of the first ever documented markets is the "Striezelmarkt" in Dresden, Germany, from 1434. It was a one-day event held on Christmas Eve and was how residents of Dresden could buy their meat for the Christmas feast.

Over time, the market evolved into a grander affair, featuring festive decorations, music, and seasonal goods. It’s something which you can still experience today as it runs annually, through Advent and up to Christmas Eve.

The name "Striezelmarkt" derives from the German word "Striezel," a type of braided fruitcake that remains a beloved holiday treat.

There’s also the market of Vienna, which dates back much earlier to 1298, and was the first place where these December markets were held. Today, it holds the record for the largest Christmas Market, at the Rathausplatz, drawing 3 million people to its 150 traditional stalls every year.

But by the 16th century, the markets began to take on a distinctly Christmas-themed character, reflecting the growing importance of the holiday in Christian Europe. Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt was first recorded in 1628 and many know it for its handcrafted ornaments and wooden toys.

But one cannot discuss Christmas markets without mentioning the food. Germany’s "Glühwein" (mulled wine) is a staple, often accompanied by roasted chestnuts, gingerbread, and sausages. In Austria, "Maroni" (roasted chestnuts) and "Krapfen" (filled donuts) are popular treats.

There’s also Strasbourg and its Christkindelsmärik, which was first mentioned in 1570. What’s interesting about this one in particular, is that in the Alsace region, it showed a unique blend of French and German traditions.

The concept of Christmas markets continued to spread across Europe during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. While rooted in Christian traditions, these markets also served as vibrant social hubs where people gathered to celebrate, trade, and enjoy seasonal entertainment.

Today, you often see markets in historic town squares with lots of cultural and religious symbolism, including the Advent wreath, nativity scenes, and of course, Christmas trees.

On a side note: The first Christmas tree also originated iGermany, with the earliest records indicating that a Christmas tree was placed in the Cathedral of Strasbourg in 1539. By the early 18th century, they became common in towns of the upper Rhineland but not in rural Germany, where it took time to accept the practice. It was only when German immigrants brought the tradition to the USA in the 19th century that the practice really gained popularity, with every home having a Christmas tree up during the holiday season, just a few decades later.

Nothing beats German Christmas markets, right?

Well, maybe. Here are some that are definitely worth mentioning (and visiting):

Cologne Christmas Market: The main one is based in front of the iconic Cologne Cathedral but the best part is that you can find many more dotted around the city. There’s so much variety that it’s not impossible to find everything you would need for festive celebrations.

Tallinn’s Christmas Market: Set in the medieval Old Town of Tallinn, Estonia, the real highlight of it all, is the Christmas tree in Town Hall Square, a tradition that dates back to 1441, making it (as commonly thought) the first public Christmas trees in the whole of Europe.

Prague Christmas Markets: This one is also held in the Old Town Square as well as Wenceslas Square. Here, you will find elaborate nativity scenes and traditional Czech foods, such as "Trdelník" (a sweet pastry).

Salzburg’s Christkindlmarkt: In the shadows of the Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg’s market dates back to around the late 15th century. It is another interesting gem, where you won’t fail to be impressed as it is said to be one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in the world.

Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens: If 1 wasn’t already enough, there are 1,000 Christmas trees at the Tivoli Gardens in Denmark. The park is adorned with 70,000 ornamentations and lights, and its stalls offer Scandinavian specialties such as æbleskiver (pancake balls) and gløgg (mulled wine).

Christmas markets are incredible. They are a unique part of tradition that transports visitors to a bygone era.

It’s a charming part of culture, that continues to inspire us with the same festive spirit centuries later.

If you like what you see, don’t forget to subscribe to support the newsletter and let me know which Christmas market you liked the best!

Until Next Time and Season’s Greetings,

World Scholar