With many of the country’s Christmas markets cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, some creative entrepreneurs have been busy finding ways to keep the Christmas spirit alive. From drive-thru Christmas markets in Bavaria, to grab-and-go Glühwein in Cologne, companies are doing what they can to save Christmas 2020.
In Cologne, Schulte & Schulte events - run by two entrepreneurial brothers - have set up a stall selling mulled wine and Christmas-themed snacks in the Lindenthal district, for locals and passers-by to enjoy some Christmas goodies.
By setting up their stall as the “Lindenthal Christmas Village” outside the Leonardo Royal Hotel, the brothers have avoided branding their setup as a traditional Christmas market. Since the stall is situated close to a large park, it is the ideal spot for walkers in the neighbourhood to stop and grab a warm drink for the rest of their journey.
And the Lindenthal Christmas Village isn't the only place trying to shed just a glimmer of festive joy in 2020 - other diehard Christmas fans are also at it elsewhere across Germany.
In the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf of Berlin, approximately 25 Christmas-market-esque huts have sprung up in small clusters across several streets, although food and drink cannot be consumed on-site.
In Landshut, Bavaria, another ingenious solution has been piloted in Germany’s first “Drive-thru Christmas market”. Customers can drive through the market in their cars to pick up Christmas trinkets, enjoy Christmas treats and sample delicious fresh regional specialities, all while being safely distanced from stall-owners outside their cars.
"We wanted to recreate a bit of the Christmas atmosphere, even it's more complicated this year," said Patrick Schmidt, the market's organiser.