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Approximately 160 million visitors typically flock to Germany's more than 2,500 Christmas markets each year to enjoy liqueurs in traditional wooden stalls. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Germany implemented a partial lockdown, halting many festive activities. Not wanting to miss out on the joyful Christmas spirit, a restaurant owner in Unterbrunn near Munich decided to open a special Christmas market, ensuring smooth business operations while creating a warm Christmas atmosphere for his customers.
Wine, Christmas cookies, and even artificial snow are set up across a large area, creating a festive Christmas atmosphere at the market. However, unlike typical Christmas markets with crowds of shoppers jostling to buy goods, visitors enter the market in their cars. They order from the menu and pay at the entrance before driving slowly from stall to stall, receiving a glass of wine from staff along the roadside, warm crepes, or other Christmas treats.
Hotel owner Simon Wankerl said: “Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our shop had to close. But I didn’t want my staff to lose their jobs. So I thought about selling takeout. Just a 10-minute drive to the Christmas market gives you a feel for the atmosphere and allows you to enjoy delicious food.”
The snow might be artificial, created to give it a Christmas atmosphere, but for many visitors, the feeling of joy and happiness when entering the market is real.
"The change is lovely. You see, there aren't any other Christmas markets this year. So this also creates a really nice Christmas atmosphere," said one customer.
With the Covid-19 pandemic unfolding in a complex manner, it's certain that not only Germans but also people in many countries around the world will no longer be able to enjoy the vibrant Christmas and New Year atmosphere as in previous years. However, they remain optimistic and creative in welcoming and experiencing Christmas in their own unique ways.
