CULLMAN, Ala. – Is it your dream to experience a German Christmas wonderland? Then the Cullman Christkindlmarkt is the place for you.
Characters such as bouncing elves and the Grinch roam around the market. The aroma of German food fills the air. Christmas music can be heard throughout the market as musicians stroll around and play instruments such as the hurdy-gurdy. A live band also plays toward the back of the market. Attractions for all ages include ice skating, tubing slides, a tree ride for toddlers and a Ferris wheel. An indoor setting for Santa pictures is provided. If the cold weather scares you away, there are warming stations throughout the market. Craft, toy and clothing vendors are available for Christmas shopping or souvenirs. The beautifully decorated Christmas market is full of lights and wonder.
Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Executive Director Nathan Anderson shared, “We have something for everyone. The ice-skating rink is the largest in the state of Alabama. The Ferris wheel is also the largest in the state of Alabama. It can hold up to 144 people at a time. A family of six can sit together in one gondola. Who has seen Cullman from that height unless you are in a helicopter? The spinner Christmas tree in the back is for the toddlers. We have a Winterbahn, which is a tubing slide. The Kinderplatz is like stepping into the North Pole. You have Sant Nicolus, Mrs. Claus and Buddy the Elf. You can write letters to Santa, do crafts in the workshop and get your picture made with Santa.”
“We have authentic German food vendors, wonder craft vendors and clothing vendors,” said Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs. “Not to sound bad, but you must be good to be here, because the crowds that we get we want authentic-type things that we are selling here.”
Vendor Cody Wolfson said, “I own seven food booths here. Our main one is the pretzels, and we make our dough on-site. We twist the pretzels right in front of you and they get baked. Some of the other booths we have are the bratwurst and pancake house with three different types of brats. We have a waffle house that makes authentic Belgian waffles with fruit and whipped cream toppings. We have a raclette, which is melted cheese directly onto a sandwich. We have a pizza house with pepperoni and cheese and a traditional German Flammkuchen pizza. We have crepes, which is made in front of you. You can get sweet or savory. We have our German schnitzel house. It has thinly sliced chicken or pork with sides such as spiral chips.”
Other booths offer alcoholic beverages such as German beer and wine, spiced cider and hot chocolate. German desserts and nuts are available and much more.
The Christkindlmarkt at Cullman’s Depot Park is open through Dec. 23, Thursdays-Saturdays, from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays from noon-8 p.m. It will be open seven days a week beginning Dec. 16 (closed on Thanksgiving Day). Get more information at www.cullmanchristkindlmarkt.com.
Copyright 2024 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
