Photo Essay: Christmas Markets in Austria, Germany and the United States, 2023 Edition

One could say that one hasn’t truly experienced Christmas unless one has been to a Christmas market in Europe. They are an excellent source for traditional gifts, mugs of Glühwein, and an unparalleled festive feeling.
Christmas markets can be found in every major city and town in many countries and the best are found in Austria, France, and Germany, but that’s not to say that there aren’t reasonable facsimiles across the globe, especially in New York City.
We’ve been to over a dozen markets on the Continent, including the Münchner Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz and the Christkindlmarkt at Sendlinger Tor, both in Munich Germany; the Weihnachtsmarkt at Mirabellplatz and the Hellbrunner Adventmarkt, near Schloß Hellbrunn, both in Salzburg, Austria;  and Advent at the Marktplatz Mondsee, adjacent to the Basilica St. Michael, in Mondsee, Austria, which of course is the chapel in which Captain von Trapp marries Maria in the movie, “The Sound of Music.”
Today’s markets have their origins in Vienna’s Dezembermarkt, or December Market, which dates back to 1294 and which was followed by Christmas markets in Munich in 1310, Bautzen in 1384, and Frankfurt in 1393.  Some contend that Dresden’s Striezelmarkt, first held in 1434, was among the first true Christkindlmärkte.
Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik, the Alsatian term for “Market of the Christ Child,” was founded in 1570 and is the oldest Christmas market in Europe still in operation.  A branch of it was held in New York City in 2019 as well, although it was a poor copy of the original and the coronavirus pandemic mercifully allowed it to disappear into the abyss, although the city has many other Christmas markets that are worth a visit.
The smells of a Christkindlmarkt are addictive: Not only the Glühwein, which is hot mulled wine, sometimes with a shot of brandy, one can find scented candles, heiße Maroni (hot roasted chestnuts) and gebrannte Mandeln, which are delicious candied, toasted almonds, useful for keeping warm in temperatures which approach or dip below the freezing mark. The latter two items are also good for keeping warm.
Other foods include traditional Christmas cookies such as Lebkuchen and Magenbrot, both forms of soft gingerbread, Bratwurst, and Eierpunsch, an egg-based warm alcoholic punch.
The Glühwein in particular has been time tested by your editors to stave off the cold.
It is hard to resist the variety of savory foods are there for the taking (card accepted), and live music, carolers, and festive decorations add to the holiday feel.
In addition to the holiday food and drink, you’ll find beautifully decorated Lebkuchen, a gingerbread-like baked Christmas treat, as well as fine handmade traditional holiday crafts and stocking stuffers including Zwetschgenmännle , which are figures made of decorated dried plums, and Nussknacker or carved nutcrackers.
There are only a few days left until Christmas and that means you need to hurry in order to enjoy this unique experience.
Here is a photographic look at Christmas markets in Austria, Germany, and the United States.
The Münchner Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz in Munich’s city center
Glühwein stall at the Münchner Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz
 
Münchner Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz during the day
 
Advent at the Marktplatz Mondsee, adjacent to the Basilica St. Michael, in Mondsee, Austria,
 
Haidhauser Weihnachtsmarkt at Weißenburger Platz, Munich, Germany
 
A Bauernkrapfen, stall a delicious fried dough, at the Weihnachtsmarkt at Mirabellplatz in Salzburg, Austria
 
Münchner Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz during the day
 
Bauernkrapfen and Glühwein at the Weihnachtsmarkt at Mirabellplatz
 
Haidhauser Weihnachtsmarkt at Weißenburger Platz, Munich, Germany
 
People enjoying Glühwein at the Hellbrunner Adventmarkt in Salzburg, Austria
 
The Strasbourg-Alsace Christmas Market in New York City in 2019
 
Père Noël with a visitor to the Strasbourg-Alsace Christmas Market in New York City in 2019
 
(Photos: Accura Media Group)