Christmas Market at Hamburg Town Hall opens
Get Ready for Hamburg's Historic Christmas Market!
Kick off the holiday season this Monday as the legendary Christmas market on Rathausmarket opens its gates. Expect a plethora of gift options, tantalizing holiday treats, and themed streets brimming with unique crafts and trinkets from various regions. The pièce de résistance? The flying Santa Claus!
Hamburg's iconic Christmas market runs from 12 PM onwards, with city icon, Bernhard Paul, and Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) expected to join the celebration, according to the organizer Roncalli. This year's theme? "Art over Commerce". From now until December 23rd, over 80 booths are ready to whisk you away into a festive wonderland. With a projected visitorship of nearly three million, Hamburg is set for an unforgettable holiday season.
Toy Street and Themed Alleys
One of the most beloved corners of the market is Toy Street, where global toys delight the young and young at heart. Meanwhile, themed alleys offer handmade art, wood carvings, and festive decorations from vendors hailing from various regions. For those with a sweet tooth, the Christmas market has plenty to offer, from gingerbread cookies and sausages, to a unique Rathausmarkt-style mulled wine, specially crafted by a winery in Pfalz, Germany.
The Flying Santa Claus
A thrilling highlight of the Christmas market is the flying Santa Claus. Daily at 4 PM, 6 PM, and 8 PM, he swoops through the skies on his sleigh over the crowd's heads. High-wire artist Rambo Bügler has been taking on this role for over 20 years. Though children can't hop aboard his sleigh, other activities like a carousel and a mini Christmas parade provide ample entertainment. On each of the four Advent Saturdays, angels, reindeer, and elves will also lead a bedecked Christmas wagon through the city center.
A Green Christmas Market
According to the city of Hamburg, the Christmas market uses 100% green electricity, which stands for energy sourced entirely from renewable resources. Energy-efficient LED light strands are projected to save around 80% of energy during lighting. The lights are turned off after 11 PM. Single-use plastic packaging is strictly prohibited, and beverages and foods are served in compostable cups, on paper plates, or in reusable containers connected to a deposit system. Mulled wine cups can still be purchased and taken home.
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Katja Niko
Born in 2001, Katja Niko, a passionate sprinter with a knack for competition, had to retire due to injuries to her knee joints. Despite forgoing caffeine, she is always wide awake. After seven semesters of journalism and diverse media internships, Katja decided to trade her hometown of Stuttgart for the hustle and bustle of a true media metropolis. For now, she's put her plans for a dip in the Elbe on hold – she's already been rescued from the Pacific Ocean by the coast guard in Australia. Katja Niko can often be found hunting for the perfect shot as she covers topics such as cycling in Hamburg, the Jewish cemetery in Altona, and the quiet nights of Hamburg. Katja Niko can be reached at her LinkedIn Profile.
- Katja Nikohttps://ourwebsite/author/katja-niko/Biking in Hamburg: Between Transportation Revolution and Accident Statistics
- Katja Nikohttps://ourwebsite/author/katja-niko/Graveyards with Tales: The Jewish Cemetery in Altona
- Katja Nikohttps://ourwebsite/author/katja-niko/A Quiet Night, a Lonely Night
The festive and themed alleys of Hamburg's historic Christmas market, including Toy Street, offer an array of handmade art, wood carvings, and decorations, as well as sweet treats like gingerbread cookies and mulled wine. After a day of exploring, unwind in the comfort of your home-and-garden, reflecting on the unique lifestyle experiences found at the market.
As you immerse yourself in the holiday spirit during Hamburg's spectacular Christmas market, consider the steps being taken to maintain a green lifestyle, such as the use of renewable energy, energy-efficient lighting, and the prohibition of single-use plastic packaging, promoting sustainability in your lifestyle choices.
