The streets of this market square are all decked out in a tradition born nearly 700 years ago. Weihnachtsmarkte or Christkindlmarkte (Christmas markets, if you prefer less of a mouthful), take place around the world, but they originated in Germany as a celebratory way to observe Advent, the Christian season leading up to Christmas Eve. These markets are generally open-air affairs where everything is decorated, including the trees (called Tannenbaums in German if they"re firs). People shop from local artisans who sell their handmade wares in small wooden chalets. Then it"s off to eat traditional foods—roasted almonds, pastries, and biscuits—and sip on warm mulled wine.
It’s Weihnachtsmarkt time!
Today in History
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National Poinsettia Day
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Dark Sky Week
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Corona Arch near Moab, Utah
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Don t go chasing waterfalls
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Over the boardwalk
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Dunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
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Wild and beautiful Alaska
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An ice cap-puccino
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La Geria wine region, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
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Happy Independence Day!
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Yi Peng lantern festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Short-eared owl
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Fashion models of the avian world
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Mexican giant cardon cactus
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World Rivers Day
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These patterns tell a story
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Mid-Autumn Festival
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Night view of the RMS Queen Mary, Long Beach, California
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Ahh-tumn
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Nazar amulets, Goreme National Park, Cappadocia, Turkey
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Paralympic Games begin in Paris
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Perfect timing
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Haghartsin Monastery, Armenia
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Beethoven s 250th
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Manatee Appreciation Day
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Glenfinnan Viaduct
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

