December 2001
Yule Love It
At Christmastime, Munich is alive with the twinkling lights and sweet scents of the city’s
Christkindlmärkte (Christmas markets). One of the first markets in Munich, the
Nikolaidult , which was established in about 1642, was held on Kaufingerstrasse. Relocated and renamed, the
Münchner Christkindlmarkt has graced Marienplatz since 1972. Here, more than 140 stands offer such gifts as candles, ceramics and pottery, toys, handmade crafts, tin, pewter and wooden items, Christmas ornaments and decorations. Food and beverage stands keep shoppers fed and full of good cheer. In addition to sampling from a variety of savory German finger food—sausages and mustard on a hard roll, for example—chilled-to-the-bone shoppers may sip warm, sweet
Glühwein (glow wine, or mulled wine), from collectible mugs. Baked and candied apples, roasted nuts and chestnuts, gingerbread,
Lebkuchen, Springerle and fruitcake await the sweet tooth. The Rathaus on Marienplatz, offset by a 30-m-high Christmas tree lit by more than 2,500 candles, is the center of holiday activity—concerts are performed daily on the city hall’s balcony at 5:30 pm. “Nikolaus” will make an appearance on December 5 and 6. One of the largest
Kripperlmärkte (crèche markets) in Germany can be found behind the Rathaus. The stand carries unique Bavarian and Austrian pieces so you can build the perfect manger scene. Put a special touch on Christmas cards—a “Münchner Christkindlmarkt” postmark will be stamped on all letters and postcards dropped into a special mailbox at the Rathaus. The
Jugendrotkreuz (Youth Red Cross) offers childcare every Saturday during Advent—from 9 am to19:30 pm for 4 to14 year olds in the
Rathauskantine —so that parents can shop in peace or pick out toys that will be marked “from Santa.”
Himmelswerkstatt (Heaven’s Workshop), located in the
Ratstrinkstube , offers kids 6–12 years the chance to transform themselves into angels (wearing wings and gowns), make tree ornaments, bake, paint, play music and put on plays (daily during Advent, from 2 pm–3:30 pm and 3:45 pm–5:15 pm). The nearly four-week event is certainly not only about shopping—a wonderful atmosphere invites all to mingle and browse in holiday spirit.
Nearly every large neighborhood in Munich holds its own minimarket:
Schwabing, in the Forum at Münchner Freiheit, Sendlinger Tor, Rotkreuzplatz,
Weissenburger Platz, Chinese Tower in the English Garden, Hellabrunn Zoo, Winter Tollwood.
Market hours are Mon.–Fri. 10 am–8:30 pm, Sat. 9 am–8:30 pm and Sun. 10 am–7:30 pm and 10 am–2 pm on December 24 for last-minute shoppers.
