In view of rapidly rising infection figures and a situation that is also becoming increasingly difficult in hospitals, in some places in Germany the first Christmas markets have already been cancelled again this year. In Frankfurt, however, it is to take place. Lord Mayor Peter Feldmann and Thomas Feda, Managing Director of Tourismus+Congress GmbH, presented the concept today, which is intended to ensure an atmospheric and safe Christmas market visit. The Lord Mayor said at the press conference that the Christmas market "will be different from 2019, but it will be an atmospheric Christmas market with everything that goes with it." He continued, "I'm already looking forward to the twinkling lights, the happy faces and the Christmas market smell that will soon permeate the city again. That melange of steaming mulled wine, some potato pancakes, a hint of pine needles and roasted almonds with a hint of Bethmännchen."
Hosting a Christmas market under pandemic conditions is admittedly no easy feat. For weeks, the Tourismus+Congress GmbH Frankfurt am Main (TCF) has been working on the structure and concept of the market. Ever-changing ordinances complicate the planning and could lead to changes and adjustments both until the opening of the market and during its course.
The Frankfurt Christmas Market 2021 will be spread over a larger area with fewer stalls. The Roßmarkt will be added as an event area. In this way, the market is to be equalized. "The reduction in the number of stalls will not affect the variety of products on offer," promised TCF managing director Thomas Feda. "In addition to a rich and usual variety of snacks, there will of course be Christmas decorations, candles, handicrafts, knitted and leather goods and much more," Feda continued.
Masks are compulsory on the entire site and in some adjacent streets, as required by the current Hessian Coronavirus Protection Ordinance. All catering establishments will have separate eating areas outside the visitors' area, so that food and drinks can be consumed there. Alcoholic hot drinks such as mulled wine and hot Ebbelwoi will also be sold exclusively in the consumption areas. Heated guest rooms will not be available this year.
It will also be dispensed with one of the great highlights of the Christmas market - the official opening with live music and the ceremonial switching on of the Christmas tree lighting - as this always attracts enormous numbers of people to the Römer. Such large crowds must also be avoided at the Christmas market.
"It should be a Christmas market for everyone. In large parts of the market, there are therefore no access restrictions and all Frankfurt residents and guests from outside are welcome," Feldmann said. "In two smaller areas, the 2G rule is envisaged," Feda explained. These areas, he said, are firstly the Pink Christmas Market of the LGBTQ+ community on Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz and secondly the new area on Roßmarkt. For access to the Rosa Weihnacht and the "WeihnachtsRoßmarkt", a proof of vaccination or convalescence is required from the age of 18. For persons who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, as well as children and adolescents under the age of 18, a negative test result, such as school test booklets, is required. Children under the age of six and children who have not yet started school are granted access without proof. In the aforementioned areas, the distance regulations are then waived and there is also no mask requirement in the crowds.
The Christmas market ends on December 22.
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Christmas Market Frankfurt Artists: The popular sales exhibition of Frankfurt artists will take place again this year. Those interested will find painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, graphics, jewelry, textiles, wood and paper works. For more information, visit www.bbk-frankfurt.de
Opening Hours:
Paul's Church: Nov. 23-Dec. 21, noon to 8 p.m., Dec. 22. December, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Roman Halls: Dec. 3 to 21, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., 22. December, 12 to 6 pm
Advent walk through the new old town: Together with a certified tour guide, visitors discover the winding alleys and squares of the new old town on this one-hour tour. Buildings such as the "Red House", the "Rebstockhof" or the house "Little Nuremberg" are back on their historic plots. Also the "Goldene Waage", a Renaissance half-timbered house, built in the 17th century, shines again in full splendor.
Participants will learn all sorts of things about the ensemble of 15 reconstructions as well as 20 new buildings and afterwards enjoy the culinary offerings at Frankfurt's Christmas market.
The walk can be booked on the TCF website.
Glühweintasse 2021: The cup, now a coveted collector's item, is a tribute to Frankfurt's festivals this year. It was already produced for 2020 and stored after the cancellation of the Christmas market. The red cup with blue interior decoration is adorned with a variety of symbols and allusions to Frankfurt's festivals. A very special motif selection for the years 2020/21, in which almost all of these festivals had to be cancelled due to corona.
Advent carol singing in Liebfrauen: Not as usual every day, but only on the weekends to Advent, the Ecumenical Advent carol singing to the Frankfurt Christmas market in the Frankfurt Liebfrauenkirche (Liebfrauenberg) takes place.
Each event will take place from 7 to 7.30 pm with admission according to the 2G rule. Maximum 100 people can be seated in the church at marked places. Medical masks can be removed at the seating area. It must be worn again for the singing of the Advent carol. You can register for free on the Liebfrauenkirche homepage.
Dates of Advent Carol Singing
26., November 27 and 28
3, 4 and 5. December
December 10, 11 and 12
December 17, 18 and 19. December
Impfung-Express: The Frankfurt Vaccination Express goes into the second round: Just in time for the Christmas market, he drives from 29 November to 12 December again on two different routes through Frankfurt. In the conspicuously decorated cars, those who were vaccinated for the first time in the vaccination Express, can then already pick up the second syringe and are vaccinated in time for the holidays. Of course, first, second and booster vaccinations will continue to be offered to everyone 12 and older (12- to 15-year-olds accompanied by a parent or guardian, 16- to 18-year-olds with a parent or guardian's consent form and a copy of their ID). All those wishing to be vaccinated must bring their identity card and - if available - their vaccination certificate and health insurance card. Vaccinations are carried out in accordance with the current STIKO recommendations and without prior appointment. For more information and the schedule, visit www.vgf-ffm.de/impfexpress
