Melbourne does multi-cultural Christmas extremely well looking to all corners of the globe for inspiration.
There is, for example, the famous
Swedish Church Christmas Bazaar which has become a Melbourne tradition.
But as in Europe, it is worth turning to German culture to experience the real intensity of the Christmas spirit. Christmas, or Weihnachten, is considered to be an important family orientated time of the year with many special foods, customs and traditions.
You can share in and taste some of these traditions in various Weihnachten markets leading up to the festive season. They are all in November so don't miss out.
Here you will find stollen, an ancient German treat, Christmas cookies (plätzchen), gingerbread houses, sugar-coated almonds, nativity scenes, hand-carved wooden Nutcracker figures (Nussknacker). If you are lucky, you might also get to hear a brass band, sip some beer or German wine or purchase handcrafted items such as wooden toys and hand-blown glass ornaments.
TTHA Weihnachtsmarkt German Christmas Market
The
TTHA Weihnachtsmarkt German Christmas Market in Bayswater is an annual one-day event with heaps of Christmas gift ideas and wonderful German food such as brezles, cakes and tortes.
Think also of genuine German chocolates, freshly baked bread and professionally made coffee. There are 40 boutique stalls. Of particular interest, are the handcrafted Christmas decorations made by the ladies of the Templer Handcraft Group, as well as homemade soaps and lotions and gourmet goodies such as jams, chutneys and syrups.
This is a great Christmas event for the whole family to enjoy and kids have their own entertainment area with a Basteln (craft stall). The venue is Tabulam and Templer Homes for the Aged which caters specifically for older family members who have German cultural links. It is wonderful therefore, that this event is not only cross-cultural but also cross-generational.
Sunday 25th November 2018 from 10am to 2pm
Location: 31-41 Elizabeth Street Bayswater
Telephone: 03 8720 1333
Weihnachtsmarkt (German Christmas Market) at the Fitzroy North Deutsche School
There is another Weihnachtsmarkt (German Christmas Market) at the Fitzroy North German-English bilingual school Deutsche School.
Again, this event is a chance to soak up German culture. It tends to get quite busy so I suggest you get there early. There is plenty of German food including wurst, sauerkraut, pretzels, bratwurst and potato salad, crepes and sugared almonds. Try some Gluhwein (either chilled or hot) and German beer.
Facebook Weihnachtsmarkt (German Christmas Market) at the Fitzroy North Deutsche School
Many of the Christmas decorations are made by the students and their families.
Lots of activities for children (making reindeer food, painting salt dough ornaments).
Facebook Weihnachtsmarkt (German Christmas Market) at the Fitzroy North Deutsche School
The market is based on the traditional Christmas street stalls held throughout Germany so it is an authentic German experience for Melbourne families. The market usually ends with bilingual carols by candlelight.
The Deutsche Schule Melbourne is at 96 Barkly St, Fitzroy North at the corner of Dean Street
30 November
96 Barkly St, Fitzroy North
More information
German Christmas by the Australian German Welfare Society
Source: english.germanwelfare.org.au/image-gallery/christmas-market/
This annual German Christmas market will be held in South Melbourne.
Here you can buy traditional hand-crafted European Christmas decoration and special German foods such as stollen, wuerstchen and lebkuchen (a special baked German Christmas treat).
Treat yourself to a German lunch.
It is hosted by the Australian German Welfare Society and all goods are authentic German items.
Thurs Nov 29 2018
8:40 am to 0 2:00 pm
Australian German Welfare Society
4th Floor, 24 Albert Road, South Melbourne.
Contact details
03 9696 0907
contact@germanwelfare.org.au
www.germanwelfare.org.au
