Dortmund Christmas Market
The Dortmund Christmas Market '' is an annual outdoor Christmas market in central Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With more than three and a half million visitors and 300 stalls, it's among the largest Christmas markets in Germany. It is estimated that the city earns a profit of €100 million from this 38-day-long market.
The Christmas tree at the Dortmund Christmas Market is promoted as one of the largest natural Christmas trees, measuring over 45 meters tall.
History
The market's origins date back to 1878. There were no markets between 1939 and 1948. In recent years, the Dortmund Christmas Market has become the largest Christmas market in Germany, receiving well over 3.5 million visitors annually.The Christmas market opens in late November and continues until just before New Year's Eve. It occupies a large area in central Dortmund, including Alter Markt around St. Reinold's Church, Hansaplatz, Kleppingstraße, and Westenhellweg.
Recent Events
In 2024, the Dortmund Christmas Market garnered international attention when visitors noticed that mulled wine was being served in mugs originally designed for Luxembourg’s Christmas market. These mugs featured slogans and imagery promoting Luxembourg, such as the Passerelle bridge. The mix-up occurred due to an error by Mohaba, the company responsible for producing the cups. While the mistake initially caused confusion, it unexpectedly sparked a collecting craze amongst visitors.Vendors and attractions
A key attraction of the Dortmund Christmas Market is the Christmas tree, which has become a central feature of the event. It stands more than 45 meters tall. The tree is made of 1,700 spruce trees from Sauerland. 20 large candles and 48,000 lights decorate the Christmas tree, the top of which is decorated with a four-meter angel. The total weight of this structure is 40 tons. The tree assembly process traditionally begins in late October, marked by a public event at Hansaplatz. The tree is typically assembled over the course of four weeks, using red spruce trees sourced from Sauerland.'''Christmas Village'''
Food and drinks
Glühwein Glühbier Reibekuchen- ''Dortmunder Salzkuchen''