A Christmas market is a street market associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent. These markets originated in Germany, but are now held in many countries. Some in the U.S. have adapted the name to the quasi-German Christkindlmarket, substituting market for German Markt.
The Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, is one of the most famous Christmas markets in the world.
Engraving of the Christmas market in Berlin, Germany, 1796
Litography of the Christmas market in Nuremberg, Germany, in the 19th century
Depiction of the Christmas market on the Place Kléber in Strasbourg, France, 1859
Advent is a season observed in most Christian denominations as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year in Western Christianity. The name was adopted from Latin adventus "coming; arrival", translating Greek parousia from the New Testament, originally referring to the Second Coming.
Lighting the candles of an Advent wreath in a church service
A representation of Saint Perpetuus
Rorate Mass in Prague Cathedral, Czech Republic
Celebration of a Advent vespers. Cope and antependium are violet, the liturgical colour of Advent in the Roman Rite.