Cincinnati may not be Frankfurt or Dortmund, but we still like to ring in the holiday season with a good ol’ fashioned Christmas Market. And the Germania Society of Cincinnati has us covered. The society hosts its 21st annual Germania Christkindlmarkt at Germania Park (3529 W. Kemper Rd.), featuring three days (Nov. 16–18) full of all the bells and tinsels you’d find at its European counterparts, which see millions of visitors each year.
SETUP
The market is an easily navigable labyrinth of large, enclosed and heated tents.
SWEETS
You’ll likely smell these on the walk in. Think Lebkuchen, Black Forest Cake, German Stollen, cream puffs, and strudels.
HISTORY
Christkindlmarkt translates literally into baby Jesus market. It’s a tradition that dates back to as early as the 13th century.
BOOZE
What would a German gathering be without bier? There’s also Glühwein (mulled wine), spiked hot cider, schnapps, and Jägermeister. Did we mention the mulled wine?
FINDS
Looking for classic German Christmas decorations? You’ll find them here, along with a slew of vendors offering up everything from holiday-scented soaps to pewter beer steins to hand-carved toys.
GRUB
Roasted boar. Reuben baked potatoes. Sauerkraut balls. Limburger sandwiches. Schnitzel. Pretzels. Essentially every kind of wurst you could dream up.
ENTERTAINMENT
In addition to traditional holiday brass bands, check out the lantern parade, petting zoo, a performance by Cincinnati’s Dancing Grandmas on Tap, and a puppet show by Frisch Marionettes.
SPECIAL GUESTS
Mingling among the merry will be a less pleasant figure: Krampus. There will be several costumed versions of the infamous St. Nicholas counterpart, known in folklore for punishing mischievous children around Christmastime.
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