Local Beat: Atlantic Station Christkindl Market
If you enjoyed our last post on German Christmas markets but you aren't expecting to find yourself in Europe this Christmas (we aren't, either!) we have good news. Just down the road from us in Midtown Atlanta, the German American Cultural Foundation sponsors a traditional German Christmas Market at Atlantic Station. The Atlanta Christkindl Market has many of the same great features we loved last year. You'll find glüwhein, wooden toys, sausages, and they even have an official Christkindl to open the market.
We got there late afternoon on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The market had only opened the night before, and prior to sunset the crowds were still relatively light. we were able to walk around and check out the stands.
We got some food: bratwurst, currywurst, glüwhein, and kinderpunsch for the kids and settled in for the “snow show” (actually a series of bubble machines placed around the market). Then we headed over to the ice rink to see if we could remember how to skate…not something you learn naturally growing up in Georgia.
By the time we made it back to the market, the crowds had picked up considerably. We spent a little more time walking around, bought a small Chirstmas present for the kids and some candied nuts, and headed home.
Overall, we had a fun time at the Atlanta Christkindl Market. It brought back some great memories of our time in Germany, and actually surprised us how similar it was to the ones across the pond. It's a little on the pricey side, and we we wouldn’t plan on eating a full dinner there, but everything is of good quality, and we made the trip home with one more glüwhein mug to add to our collection. As with all good Christmas markets, we saw lots of friends and family enjoying good company on a cold night. In that respect, we could have been right back in Munich or Salzburg for all we knew.
The Atlanta Christkindl Market is located at Atlantic Station in Atlanta, GA adjacent to Meehan’s Public House (232 19th St. NW). Admission is free. For more information about the Market, check out this recent article from Global Atlanta