Sankt Wendel combines tradition with medieval market

Editor’s Note: This article was published in a previous edition of the Kaiserslautern American and the information has been updated to reflect this year’s event.

The city of Sankt Wendel will hold its Christmas market combined with a medieval market Saturday to Dec. 16. More than 140 little decorated houses and booths will offer arts and crafts, gift ideas and regional culinary specialties 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The medieval market will feature vendors in historical costumes, who sell their merchandise. Craftsmen such as basket makers, lantern makers, blacksmiths, potters, turners and soap makers will demonstrate their work and ask visitors to try to do the same.  Jugglers, dancers, singers, musicians and a magician will entertain in the streets and on stage. Camp groups demonstrate how people lived, worked, ate and celebrated in the Middle Ages.

Every afternoon at 4 p.m., the Three Holy Kings from the Orient and their camels will go through the center of town. Back at their camp they will perform the Christmas story in colorful scenes.

Each night, at 7 p.m., there will be a show with fire, lights, music and dancing. Children can meet Santa Claus and his reindeers 11:30 a.m., 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. daily. They can have a seat on his sleigh and tell him their wishes for Christmas.

A 12-meter tall Christmas pyramid, life-sized nutcrackers, a dwarfs’ forest and a big nativity scene will lure visitors as well. A nostalgic merry-go-round, mythical creatures, forest and water ghosts,  and a dragon will provide some more excitement for children.

A night watchman with horn and lantern will patrol the market at 7 p.m. before the brass players perform from the basilica tower at 7:30 p.m. to let visitors know that the market is about to close.

For more information, visit www.sankt-wendel.de.

Sankt Wendel is a little romantic town in the federal state of Saarland, north of Neunkirchen. Parking is available in City-Garage 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays.