Media Backgrounder

OCTOBER 2024

 

HISTORY of GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS

 

For nearly 500 years, towns and cities around Germany have hosted Christkindlmarkts (the German word for Christmas Market) in December. Each market is unique, featuring local artisans and festive regional refreshments. Residents enjoy each other’s company, sample local delicacies, shop for gifts, and break up the chilly winter days with some holiday cheer.

A Christkindlmarkt often surrounds a massive Christmas tree, includes a carousel, and features vendor huts or cabins offering traditional foods, handcrafted gifts, and warm beverages. These markets are a special and central place to meet with family and loved ones while supporting local craftspeople throughout the holiday season. 

 

CANADA’S OWN CHRISTKINDLMARKT

The magical atmosphere of a traditional German Christmas Market came to life in the Pacific Northwest thanks to our Market’s German owner, Malte Kluetz. Malte envisioned the same cozy, convivial Christmas atmosphere that takes over German town squares popping up to delight guests right here in Vancouver. And so it all began… 

In 2010, Malte Kluetz brought the authentic German Christmas Market experience to North America, launching the Vancouver Christmas Market. The event was initially held at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza in downtown Vancouver, welcoming more than 100,000 guests into a “European town square” of food, drink and artisan huts. Vendors from the early years of the Market continue to return each year. 

THE VANCOUVER CHRISTMAS MARKET TODAY

As the event grew in popularity, the Vancouver Christmas Market looked to find a new location to meet the demand. In 2016, the Market moved to Jack Poole Plaza at 1055 Canada Place and expanded to feature more than 90 artisan vendors. This is the 14th year the Market has returned to Vancouver, with a pause in 2020 due to COVID-19. The Vancouver Christmas Market values long-term relationships and proudly celebrates the 11th anniversary of some vendors this year.

Photographer credits for both images: Kipling Media

CAPTURING THE OLD WORLD CHARM

Each year, Vancouver Christmas Market vendors offer artisanal German goods — from handcrafted wooden ornaments to original German gifts — with many travelling from Germany to bring an authentic feel to our local Market. And we haven’t stopped there! While many German markets will sell small ornamental German pyramids as decorations, we’ve made the centrepiece of our event a larger-than-life Christmas Pyramid where guests can gather and sip on a hot drink.  

Much like the Christmas Markets throughout history, foodies can sample Glühwein (mulled wine), a selection of German and Austrian beers, spirits and various sweet and savoury delights at the Vancouver Christmas Market. Like its German counterparts, the Vancouver Christmas Market is lined with wooden huts serving up various European comfort foods, including savoury eats such as Sauteed Mushrooms, Kebabs, German Sausages, Raclette, Schnitzel, Gulasch, Spätzle, Knedla and many more. To satisfy your sweet tooth, try classic desserts like Strudels, Alfajores (Latin macarons) and French macarons, Churros, and more!  

Combining colourful décor, sparkling lights, authentic gifts, enticing food and drink, and family entertainment, this historical celebration creates the perfect atmosphere to mix and mingle with friends and family, have a quick lunch or after-work drink, find a festive photo opportunity, and take in a wide variety of holiday entertainment!

To learn more about the Vancouver Christmas Market, please visit us online at www.vancouverchristmasmarket.com 

High-resolution photos can be downloaded from our website in our media room: vancouverchristmasmarket.com/news-and-media/

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For further information, please contact:

media@vancouverchristmasmarket.com