CHRISTKINDLMARKT AT FINDLAY MARKET

Cincideutsch Christkindlmarkt expanded into a three-weekend celebration this year, with its new location at Findlay Market. Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 13-15 are the final days for the event.

Ironically, Christkindlmarkt is set up near the Anti-German Hysteria historical placard.

Inspired by the centuries-old holiday markets in Germany, Cincideutsch organized a version of the festivities for Cincinnatians to enjoy. Old fashioned timber houses create storefronts for vendors selling anything from traditional German baked goods, handcrafted gifts, mulled wine, and more.

Founded in 2011 by native German speakers and Americans who had lived in Germany, Cincideutsch is a group of Cincinnatians that aims to promote modern German language and culture in Cincinnati. Last year's Christkindlmarkt topped the list of where I found some of my favorite gifts of the season in 2012. - See more at: http://www.cincywhimsy.com/2013/12/two-weekends-of-christkindlmarkt.html#sthash.zAzcGOwy.dpuf

Founded in 2011 by native German speakers and Americans who had lived in Germany, Cincideutsch is a group of Cincinnatians that aims to promote modern German language and culture in Cincinnati. Last year's Christkindlmarkt topped the list of where I found some of my favorite gifts of the season in 2012. - See more at: http://www.cincywhimsy.com/2013/12/two-weekends-of-christkindlmarkt.html#sthash.zAzcGOwy.dpuf

Founded in 2011 by native German speakers and Americans who had lived in Germany, Cincideutsch is a group of Cincinnatians that aims to promote modern German language and culture in Cincinnati. Last year's Christkindlmarkt topped the list of where I found some of my favorite gifts of the season in 2012.

Over 15,000 visitors are expected to attend the event throughout December. Christkindlmarkt runs from 9:00am-6:00pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 10:00am-4:00pm on Sunday

TWO WEEKENDS OF CHRISTKINDLMARKT

Findlay Market will be brimming with Gemütlichkeit for the next two weekends as Christkindlmarkt brings German heritage back to the heart of Over-the-Rhine. From December 6-8 and December 13-15, look for specialty vendors in charming half-timbered houses serving traditional holiday sweets, European baked goods, and handcrafted gifts. The event, organized by Cincideutsch, is inspired by the same festivities held throughout Germany that have been celebrated for hundreds of years.

Founded in 2011 by native German speakers and Americans who had lived in Germany, Cincideutsch is a group of Cincinnatians that aims to promote modern German language and culture in Cincinnati. Last year's Christkindlmarkt topped the list of where I found some of my favorite gifts of the season in 2012.

Over 15,000 visitors are expected to attend the event throughout December, enjoying the market's spirited ambiance, live music, and sparkling lights. Christkindlmarkt runs from 9:00am-6:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 10:00am-4:00pm on Sundays.

FOUNTAIN SQUARE TREE LIGHTING

No better way to cap of the Thanksgiving weekend is with the holiday tree lighting at Fountain Square. The 60-foot Evergreen was wrapped with over 20,000 lights and kicked off a series of winter festivities Downtown.

In addition to the tree lighting, which was put on by Macy's, visitors could skate with Santa on the U.S. Bank Ice Rink, shop at CinciDeutsch's Christkindlmarkt, and receive goodie bags from Procter & Gamble including tissues, shampoo, tooth brushes and pet food.

Lighting the tree on Fountain Square.

CINCIDEUTSCH CHRISTKINDLMARKT

The first-ever German Christmas Market debuted on Fountain Square this weekend. Presented by Cincideutsch, the Christkindlmarkt featured authentic hardwood market booths and offered the Queen City with a traditional German town square shopping experience. 

A dozen booths were filled with Bavarian sweets, pretzels, cakes, and trinkets, as well as hand-crafted wood ornaments and Rookwood pottery. Another booth was filled entirely of gifts from Germany, offering advent calendars, chocolates, toys, clothing, and many other imports. Mecklenburg Gardens offered an array of German street food, such as bratwurst and mettwurst topped with sauerkraut, and everyone's favorite, fried pickles and potato pancakes. Glühwein, a warm mulled wine, was another treat during this chilly weekend.

The highlight of Christkindlmarkt were the German verbiage totes and mugs that Cincideutsch created with Saint Ursula’s Academy Design Program. Each item featured a word in German that does not directly translate into English. On one side, a graphic of the word is printed in the style of a German artist. On the other, the definition is displayed on the corner of the bag, along with the artist's name. At only $5.00 each, I snagged a few for myself and for Christmas gifts.

Founded in 2011 by native German speakers and Americans who had lived in Germany, Cincideutsch is a group of Cincinnatians that aims to promote modern German language and culture in Cincinnati.