An Old World Tradition + a New World City = The Sweetest Season of the Year
We New Yorkers have a thing or two to learn about how to celebrate the holidays!
Sure we have the Ball Drop and Macy’s Parade, but when it comes to seasonal shopping, eating, and culture - our Francophone Friends have us beat!
The headliner being the Strasbourg-Alsace Christmas Market (Marché de Nöel de Strasbourg-Alsace). Founded in 1570, the market is one of the oldest in Europe, a centuries old Alsatian tradition combining the most glorious and festive French and German culture.
Each year, Strasbourg comes alive, taking its proper claim to the name “Capital of Christmas” where two million visitors browse, buy, taste, and take in the lights. An international affair, tourists from near and far come to enjoy much more than a retail retreat. Check out Instagram, but don’t dare think those phone pics can compare to the splendor of this magical experience.
Stateside, we have even more reason to be grateful this year. The cities of Strasbourg, Mulhouse, and Colmar, with the Alsace region are organizing their first Strasbourg-Alsace marché de Noël in NYC. From December 6th to 22nd, the market premieres in Lower Manhattan at Bowling Green Park.
Thirty authentic wooden chalets have been shipped directly from Alsace. The stalls with colorful ornaments and shimmering lights will house an array of unique artisanal crafts. Cross off your holiday shopping list with pottery from Soufflenheim and Betschdorf, hand-painted ornaments from Strasbourg, and fine table linens from Colmar.
Foodies will not be disappointed. Feast on Alsatian specialties such as tarte flambée - (flammekueche in German), and choucroute garnie (cabbage with sausages and potatoes.) Find some delicious food gifts like handmade candies, jams, foie gras pâté, bredele (Alsatian biscuits), cookies, gingerbread and more!
Enjoy daily performances of French Christmas carols, creative interactive workshops for children and a visit with old Saint Nick.
The festivities kick-off with a tree lighting ceremony on Thursday, December 5th from 5pm - 8pm. As fleeting as the season itself, we recommend marking your calendars. This experience is sure to be a new holiday tradition for NYC!
Strasbourg-Alsace Christmas Market, Bowling Green Park, Broadway &, Whitehall St, New York, NY 10004
Looking to talk-the-talk at the Strasbourg Market? Fiddling to book your ticket to see the original market? Book a class or private lessons with Learn French Brooklyn! We can’t wait to share the gift of French with you!