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In many towns in southern Germany, Advent is usually ushered in with the opening of the town Christmas Markets, often also called Christkindlmarkt or Christkindlesmarkt (Ger. literally, Christ child market). Generally held in the town square and pedestrian zones, the market combines shopping and pageantry as well as tradition. On opening night and, in some towns, every night, onlookers welcome the Christkind, or Christ child, in the form of a golden-haired angel played by a local youth.
Some of the most popular items at the Market are the Nativity Scene (also known as a crèche or crib); Zwetschgamännla (figures made of decorated dried plums); Nussknacker (carved Nutcrackers); Gebrannte Mandeln or candied, toasted almonds; assorted cookies like Lebkuchen and Magenbrot (both forms of soft gingerbread); Christstollen or Stollen, a sort of egg bread with candied fruit; and not least, Glühwein, hot mulled wine (with or without a shot of brandy) to keep the body going in the cold winter air. Many other homemade crafts and toys, books and (in recent years) more or less useful gadgets can be found at a Christkindlmarkt.
The most famous Christmas markets are held in the cities of Nuremberg, Dresden and Stuttgart making them very popular tourist stops. The Nuremberg and Dresden markets draw each year about 2 million, the Stuttgart market (the largest in Europe) attracts more than three million visitors.
German immigrants to America brought the Christmas celebrations with them and there are some Christkindlmarkt events held in the United States as well.
Kris Kringle, an American name for Santa Claus, is derived from Christkindl.
See also: Striezelmarkt
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