Christmas market

<p>A Christmas market is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent. These markets originated in Germany, but are now held in many countries. Some in the U.S. have adapted the German name to quasi-English Christkindlmarket, swapping German Markt and market. Christmas markets date to the Late Middle Ages in the German-speaking part of Europe and in many parts of the former Holy Roman Empire, which included many eastern regions of modern France.</p><p>They became a popular Advent custom during the Reformation era. Dresden&#039;s Striezelmarkt was first held in 1434 and one of the first true Christmas markets; earlier markets of the season were &quot;December markets&quot;. Early mentions of these &quot;December markets&quot; can be found in Vienna (1298), Munich (1310), Bautzen (1384), and Frankfurt (1393).</p><p>In many towns of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, Advent is usually ushered in with the opening of the Christmas market or Weihnachtsmarkt. In southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria, it is called a Christkind(e)l(s)(i)markt (German language, literally meaning &quot;Christ child market&quot;).</p><p>Traditionally held in the town square, the market offers food, drinks and seasonal items for sale from open-air stalls, accompanied by traditional singing and dancing. On opening night at the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, and in some other towns, onlookers welcome the Christkind (originally boy Jesus, but often depicted as an angel-like girl), acted by a local child.</p>