Weihnachtsmarkt 2024: Week 1

Just one this week; we missed a big one at a monastery because I thought theirs ran for multiple weekends, but I was wrong. It’s already on the calendar for next year.

Christkindlmarkt St. Lantpert (first weekend of Advent, church)

Waaaaaay on the other side of the river in Lerchenfeld, in the courtyard of the (Catholic) parish church St. Lantpert. We’ve never been to this one before, as it’s too far to walk to stand around in the cold. This year we decided to *gasp, horror* drive over and check it out. It was a bit hard to find, as the church grounds were dark and there were no signs with arrows. Keeps the heathens out…but not us heretics. Lol.

We were there early on Friday, and it was very crowded. Lots of older people, but also lots of children. After the opening speeches, the brass band played mostly American secular tunes. Yes, I did sing “Batman smells”, why do you ask?

I had a mug of Glühwein and Mr Radish enjoyed an orange fruit punch with cinnamon. This is one of the better mugs we’ve seen. The food was also typical and prepared by volunteers with “church kitchen” equipment. My crepe, not pictured, had Speck (a form of bacon) and onions.

We waited in line for our drinks, but we could have bought a refill from a man dispensing them directly from an insulated backpack. I’ve never seen this before. It’s a fabulous idea.

The craft stands had mostly handmade items, and were all staffed by local businesses and church groups. The biggest sold handmade Advent wreaths with fresh green branches. We bought some beer: a red Märzen (Festbier) honoring the 40th anniversary of the church’s bell tower. It was brewed in Munich by Haidbräu, a brewery that helps people with disabilities and mental illnesses learn work skills, and it was also tasty.

I enjoyed the atmosphere, and I’ve already put it on the calendar for next year, next to the big one we missed.