Get Going to the German Christmas Village at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor

Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the year

Can’t you hear the melody? It’s such a lovely song by The Vince Guaraldi Trio. It’s a staple for the Christmas holiday because it reflects the sentiment of the season for children and adults. Another fun way to embrace the Christmas season is by engaging in an age-old cultural tradition from Germany called the Christkindlmarkt (or Christkindlmarket). These markets go way back to the Middle Ages—the earliest dating back to Vienna in 1298 and Munich in 1310.

Christkindlmarkts have very unique vendors with distinctive gift items and culinary fare. There are several across the U.S. including at Baltimore’s West Shore Park, at the Inner Harbor.

Outside attractions

In Baltimore, the market is called Christmas Village, and it’s been a seasonal favorite since opening in 2013. Oh, what fun it is to see the Inner Harbor lit up in such a whimsical way.

Cozy vendor cottages line the Inner Harbor’s promenade. Each has its own Star of David atop. Then there is the Pyramid—an authentic staple of the Christkindlmarkts. The Pyramid looks a lot like a windmill, but there’s a really fun aspect to it. Ornaments circulate in a carousel-motion peeking through the open windows.

The Pyramid has a very long history at Christkindlmarkts. It goes back to the Ore Mountain region of Germany, which is a small mountain range in the southern part of the State of Saxony. The region’s ornament makers started making wooden, carousel-like Christmas towers, which resembled a Christmas tree in the Middle Ages.

At first, Pyramids were displayed inside the house at Christmas, but with the popularity of Germany’s Christmas markets, the Pyramids became a central part of its tradition and a central meeting point of the market.

Not only does the Inner Harbor’s Christmas Village have an eye-catching Pyramid, with nutcrackers and Christmas trees peeking through the windows, but It also has a merry-go-round and a full-fledge Ferris wheel. So, if you were wondering if the Christmas Village is a family-friendly activity, it certainly is.

Here’s a planning tip! Just a few steps away from the market is an ice-skating rink. Once you’re finished perusing your way through the market, you can go figure eight with the whole family.

Inside Christmas village

There is an outside component to the Christmas village, but there is also an inside portion. If you want access to the inside market, there is an admission fee. It’s pretty reasonable, plus there’s a world of eclectic gifts and stocking stuffers that you’ll want to see. Items like special blends of loose-leaf hibiscus and rooibos teas, authentic German chocolate snacks, pashminas, jewelry, and much more.

Are you a Christmas ornament geek? If so, you will definitely find something to hang on your tree. And don’t be shy about asking about the history and folklore related to some of the ornaments. For example, the pickle ornament has a fun children’s activity attached to its tradition. It’s fun for the entire family. Read about it on our sister MCCN website.

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Now let’s talk about the food. The Christmas Village has an international food theme from latkes with lox or latkes with apple sauce, sour cream and cinnamon to Belgian pomme frites (fries), and French crepes. However, since it is an authentic German Christmas market, you’re going to find Bratwurst front and center. Original, spicy or smoked, the Bratwurst comes piled high with the most amazing sauerkraut.

The German theme continues on the beverage side of things with abundant stalls serving up kinderpunsch—a holiday favorite (Find the recipe in the link).

Since Baltimore Decembers are typically cold, rest assured, there are plenty of hot beverage options like hot cocoa, tea, hot toddies, and coffee to keep you warm.

Baltimore’s Christmas Village is absolutely worth the price of admission but remember there are plenty of areas outside that you can access for free. It runs through Christmas Eve, so, if you are visiting Charm City for the holidays, put it on your to-do list. It’s a fun, foodie, cultural experience.

Three-in-one, now that’s a great deal!

Photo credit: Monica Johnson and German Marketing, Inc. Learn more about Baltimore’s Christmas Village on the website.

One response to “Get Going to the German Christmas Village at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor”

Get Going to the German Christmas Village at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor – Multi Cultural Cooking Network says:

December 13, 2023 at 9:05 am

[…] Christkindlmarkts have very unique vendors with distinctive gift items and culinary fare. There are several across the U.S. including at Baltimore’s West Shore Park, at the Inner Harbor. READ MORE […]

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