Christmas Markets II - Baltimore

The holiday season is quickly approaching.  One of the ways to get into the spirit of the season is to go to a Christmas Market.  There is nothing like the sights, sounds and smells of a market to evoke thoughts of a Dickens' or old world Christmas.  Originally a European tradition, begun in the 1400s in Germany, more and more markets are being held in cities around the globe.

Over the next few weeks you will have the opportunity to read about some Christmas Markets in North America, and in other countries - this time The Christmas Village in Baltimore.

The Baltimore Christmas Village, styled after a typical German Christmas Market, is a new holiday tradition, only in its second year.  It is located down on the west side of the Inner Harbor - a part of the city that is always bustling, and already has many attractions.
http://www.baltimore-christmas.com

On the Preview Weekend (November 17-18) and Opening Weekend (November 24-25), and weekdays entry is free to the outdoor displays and to the festival tent.   Admission to the festival tent on December 6-7 is $1 on Dollar-or-less Days.  For the remaining
weekends admission is $5 for adults (19 years and up).

The Market is open: (Sun.-Thurs.)11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
                                 (Fri. and Sat.) 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
                                 (Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve) 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Enjoy a bratwurst, gingerbread, mulled wine or other traditional European-style food, drinks and sweets at one of the many booths.  Shop for for gifts, ornaments, jewelry and unique artisan items at other booths.


The festival tent provides more shopping, a food court, Bavarian beer garden and an event space.

Thousands of lights, the big Holiday Tree and traditional German-style wooden huts help to create a festive environment.




A number of special days are planned for the Christmas Village.  They include:

 November 17-18        Preview Weekend

 November 24-25        Grand Opening
                                       -The Christmas Village opens. Christkind of Nuremburg, a Christmas angel who   
                                             brings the Christmas gifts to children in Germany and other countries visits.  The 
                                             Christmas tree is lit.

     December 1-2        German-American Weekend
                                        -Highlighting German America heritage with German style entertainment

The  Baltimore Christmas Village is easily accessible by public transportation.

Baltimore is within a day's drive of many cities in the eastern United States and Canada.  Direct daily flights are available to Baltimore, and to Washington's two airports that are within an hour.  There are many hotels and restaurants in the Inner Harbor area.  The Market is open from November 27 to December 24, 2014.  It is closed Mondays.