You can willkommen the start of the holiday season this month with German Christmas festivities at the Cullman Christkindlmarkt. What began as a tribute to the city's rich German heritage and a desire to create a unique holiday experience for the community—with just seven huts at the Christmas Parade in 2019—has quickly grown into a beloved event for the community.
“The Cullman Christkindlmarkt was inspired by the traditional German Christmas markets and launched to bring a taste of authentic European holiday charm to the heart of Alabama,” says Jordan Meggs, who handles marketing for Christkindlmarkt.
European Christmas markets are a cherished tradition that date back to medieval German, typically held during the four weeks of Advent. They’re usually held in the center of charming town squares and began as gatherings to provide locals with winter essentials. Since that time, they’ve evolved into a holiday celebration, where visitors can indulge in treats and warm beverages and shop for handcrafted gifts.
The Cullman Christkindlmarkt brings a German winter wonderland to town, embracing these centuries-old traditions and celebrating a throwback to quaint community. Since its start five years ago, additional hunts and tents have been added. “This growth reflects Cullman's deep-rooted commitment to celebrating its German heritage, providing a festive platform for the community to come together and embrace their cultural traditions during the holiday season,” says Jordan. By 2022, the market had expanded to include 20 huts and 10 tents for vendors, along with various food merchants operating from tents or trailers. (Think German pizza, crepes, baumstriezel, schnitzel, pretzel brats, gluhwein, and more.)
In 2023, attendance reached a staggering 209,000 revelers from 41 states and 700-plus cities, reinforcing the Christkindlmarkt’s appeal to guests of all ages. This year’s market is anticipated to be the biggest yet, with additions such as a larger skating rink and new attractions like an ice-tubing slide and Ferris wheel. The Depot Park area has been doubled as well, thanks in part to a federal grant. Additionally, visitors can enjoy an expanded Kinderplatz/Santa's Village area and more covered spaces. World-renowned glass blower Jason Mack will create a piece specifically for the Christkindlmarkt, and he will also offer glass blowing workshops during the market. It’s worth noting that approximately 75 percent of the market’s vendors are local, further enhancing the economic and community impact on Cullman.
The magic starts earlier than ever this year, as the Cullman Christkindlmarkt opens the week before Thanksgiving for a six-week run. Beginning December 16, the market will be open seven days a week. Festivities will kick off November 22 with town favorites: the Christkindlmarkt parade and tree lighting ceremony. Last year’s crowd estimate for the Christmas tree lighting was nearly 18,000, with the parade drawing close to 20,000. “Calculating parade attendance is complex, but we use a combination of geofenced attendance tracking, drone footage analysis and on-street visual estimates,” says Nathan Anderson, executive director of Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism.
Cullman Christkindlmarkt runs November 21-December 23. You can find full event information, including directions and hours, at cullmanchristkindlmarkt.com.