This year’s outdoor German Christmas Market is running from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve (Saturday, December 24) with plenty of twinkling lights, two Christmas Trees, live music, special events, and plenty of activities for the little ones.

 

The market is ideal for shopping for unique gifts, from jewelry and clothing to home goods and toys, but it’s also an ideal place to find traditional German treats like Lebkuchen (gingerbread cookies), famous Stollen (traditional German holiday cake), cinnamon stars, and Spekulatius, while savory German traditions like schnitzel, cheese, pretzels, and brats will be abundant as well.

 

Hit up the German Gluhwine booth for a variety of authentic Gluhwine, including the original Nuremberg Christkindles Markt-mulled wine, Blueberry Gluhwein, and Cherry Gluhwein, or pop into the Hofbrau Beer Garden with a heated tent. With authentic brewery tables made in Austria, the beer garden is the place to hunker down with some brats and beers.

 

There are a handful of new additions this year, too:

 

* Daily photo sessions with Santa inside the heated tent

* New vendors including Helmut’s Austrian strudels and roasted nuts

* Painting classes for adults on Thursday evenings

* Free games for children as well as an improved kid’s corner

* Arts and crafts classes for all little guests on Friday evenings

* Newly organized wine tasting tours in partnership with Boordy Vineyards

* Army Navy Weekend with the first annual “Prove Your Strength Contest”

* Collector’s mug with a new design for 2016

* Irish Themed Day

 

Also, drop by on Thirsty Thursdays from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM for a $2 discount on draft beers. Stop in earlier for the German Bratwurst lunch including soda for $5 that will be offered every weekday from 11:00am-1:00pm.

 

Admission is free on all weekdays and opening weekend, and only $1 on December 3 and 4, 2016. Admission for the following three weekends is $5 for adults, $3 for children 3-18 and free for toddlers under 3.