Snowman figures at Christmas market ()
Moving back to the States brings a different version of holiday markets. Almost everyone knows the legend and lore of European markets. Wooden chalets line city centers with the soft glow of star lights hanging from the rafters, and the enticing aroma of gingerbread and glühwein cut a warm path through the crisp winter air.
However, I can attest from personal experience that imitation is not the best form of flattery regarding holiday markets. The look on my teen’s face when we perused the vendors at the market in downtown D.C. last year was akin to eating something with a weird texture — just not quite right. This year, we decided to tackle the markets on the U.S. side of the Atlantic with a fresh perspective and different lens, and we came up with a few things to keep in mind.
Keep the expectations low. If you’re expecting an exact replica of European Christmas markets on this side of the pond, tuck those expectations back in. The markets in the U.S. typically have white tents and tables, holiday decorations, and usually a sizeable ornamental throne for pictures with Santa. Not quite the adorable wooden huts you may be used to. However, these stalls often feature works by talented local artists and regional food specialties. Don’t throw in the towel just yet!
Consult Google when you travel. My best friend and I planned a girls’ trip to Canada the week after Thanksgiving. When I was checking out the areas, I discovered that the Montreal Marché de Noel and Winter Village at The Distillery in Toronto would be in full swing while we were at each destination. By researching ahead of time, we experienced the feel of a genuine European Christmas market in Montreal and a one-of-a-kind holiday event at one of the older areas in Toronto.
Take advantage of public transportation. Like in Europe, public transportation is one of the best ways to get to the larger city markets. The Downtown Holiday Market in D.C. is located right outside the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station, which serves five different metro lines. In Baltimore, the German Christmas Village on the Inner Harbor can be reached via light rail on the weekends or the Camden MARC train line on the weekdays. If you imbibe, be sure to download Uber or Lyft to make sure you get home safely.
There are a lot of smaller markets in the area. My husband is currently stationed in the D.C. area, locally known as the DMV (D.C. – Maryland – Virginia). This region encompasses 13 counties and many cities in those counties, which means a lot of opportunities for unique markets catering to their area. For instance, a market in the nearby city of Alexandria was more sizeable than the one in D.C. and had more local flair (and a long line for amazing apple strudel).
If, like me, you cannot celebrate the holidays by conquering the European Christmas markets, you can still take advantage of the ones you have nearby. They may not be the same (or even in the same league), but if they bring a smile and keep your inner Grinch at bay, they’re worth checking out.
