DC area Christmas Markets

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate paying to get into craft shows and markets.
Not what you asked but just throwing that out there.

I enjoyed the Baltimore one last year after spending time in the science center with kids.

I have a $10 limit. I won't pay more than that.

There's one near me that's $35 just to enter. GTFO! I'm not paying $70 for my wife and I to simply stroll and shop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been all over the world and I have to say that DC is the most depressing place for anything unique like museums, Christmas markets and artistically inclined.

DMV prides itself on being a diverse, educated and interesting population. But really, this city is made up of lobbyists, lawyers and fed employees/contractors. I mean how creative is this lot gonna be???!!!!!

You must go to Chicago, NYC or even Boston for anything seriously cool.

DC is depressing for museums when it has the Smithsonian? okaaaay......

NP - but the Smithsonians aren't really great museums.

[Anonymous]

Exactly. I'm the PP about DC being a depressing creative place. Exactly because anyone would think Smithsonian has great museums. You really have not been anywhere if that's what you think. That they are free is awesome but do not pretend they are great.

Now the Chicago and NYC museums....

If you don't get the difference you are definitely a boring person.

[Anonymous]

Even if they don’t live up to PP’s more sophisticated expectations, the high school Holiday Bazaars are fun in their own way. No, you will never think you are in Germany or NY, but who cares.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DP - It's not a holiday market though. It is a Christmas Market. Europeans have the traditional markets and yes, they in fact, celebrating the spirit of Christmas. Sorry, the PC term may be holiday and I do holiday cards v Christmas cards personally but in the context and spirit of these markets - it is wrong to call them holiday markets! They are what they are, it's not like they're trying to disrespect someone who doesn't believe in Christ but the reality is that these are about Christmas!!!

Beautiful troll!

Let's honor our savior by worshipping at the altar of
St Shoppingsworth!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Exactly. I'm the PP about DC being a depressing creative place. Exactly because anyone would think Smithsonian has great museums. You really have not been anywhere if that's what you think. That they are free is awesome but do not pretend they are great.

Now the Chicago and NYC museums....

If you don't get the difference you are definitely a boring person.

Nothing says "unique and memorable experience" like "the [city] museums"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are you looking for in a Christmas market? I have been looking for one approximating a European market, and the closest I've found so far is the one in Herndon, which is modeled on a German market and sells mulled wine. But even it is still not great. I just don't understand why these don't catch on here - they're so much fun in Europe!

Because in Europe they are still allowed to celebrate their culture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never been to a European Christmas market. What makes them different or better?

Serious question.
We usually go to the downtown one and have fun even if lots of the vendors don’t interest us we love to browse with cups of hot chocolate.

Man you're missing out. You will never go to the markets here if you've been to a. Jenna or Munich market. You will LMAO at the DC markets.

Christmas market is one that considers more than just selling stuff like these here do. It's about a cultural appreciation for Christmas complete with festivities via food, music, ambiance and decor, sights and art. It's less a flea market of art vendors with an opportunity to sell their stuff with a. Purple hot ciders and beer to buy. It's celebration as a concept v sales opportunity concept.

Now I do admit that as it is a cultural thing, they take it to an extreme and there's a lot of space dedicated for the markets. It is most definitely not just 3-4 blocks but a damn village or 2 with if space lol the size commitment would prob be hard to duplicate here but for sure the lack of charm and strong flavor of commercialism totally ruins the experience for me here.

To be fair, it's definitely something the Americans have tried to replicate - there's very little thought to actually doing it justice. It's kind of like going to the Paris bistros where you have an outdoor scene to people watch and basically enjoy a vibe v chairs on the sidewalk of a restaurant looking at cars driving by. It's a difference in appreciation of the subtle I suppose but I'm with the Europeans on this.

Looks like a regular winter carnival to me

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/jena-christmas-market.html?sortBy=relevant

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are you looking for in a Christmas market? I have been looking for one approximating a European market, and the closest I've found so far is the one in Herndon, which is modeled on a German market and sells mulled wine. But even it is still not great. I just don't understand why these don't catch on here - they're so much fun in Europe!

Because in Europe they are still allowed to celebrate their culture.

That’s racist.

[Anonymous]

Baltimore and Philly are the best ones within a reasonable drive from DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are you looking for in a Christmas market? I have been looking for one approximating a European market, and the closest I've found so far is the one in Herndon, which is modeled on a German market and sells mulled wine. But even it is still not great. I just don't understand why these don't catch on here - they're so much fun in Europe!

Because in Europe they are still allowed to celebrate their culture.

That’s racist.

Is it racist when people celebrate their culture in Nigeria, Colombia, Japan, Dubai, or Israel?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are you looking for in a Christmas market? I have been looking for one approximating a European market, and the closest I've found so far is the one in Herndon, which is modeled on a German market and sells mulled wine. But even it is still not great. I just don't understand why these don't catch on here - they're so much fun in Europe!

Because in Europe they are still allowed to celebrate their culture.

That’s racist.

Is it racist when people celebrate their culture in Nigeria, Colombia, Japan, Dubai, or Israel?

You are a maga.

[Anonymous]

Any recent reviews? We are free this Sunday to attend something. Has anyone been to the St. Nicholas market in Del Ray?

[Anonymous]

Just give it up. Go to Europe. Nothing worthwhile here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just give it up. Go to Europe. Nothing worthwhile here.

Seriously. Everyone on DCUM has piles of frequent flyer miles from work and should use them for a quick flight to Bavaria to enjoy a real Christmas market. You could leave on Friday and get back for work Monday.