Bavaria: Christmas markets in Bavaria: good atmosphere, good sales

Nuremberg/Munich (dpa/lby) - The Christmas markets in Bavaria are well attended again this year.

Bavaria: Christmas markets in Bavaria: good atmosphere, good sales

Nuremberg/Munich (dpa/lby) - The Christmas markets in Bavaria are well attended again this year. Dealers are satisfied and customers are enthusiastic. "It's nice that you're back," you hear that again and again," said Lorenz Kalb, board member of the South German Association of Traveling Showmen and Traders, on Thursday in Nuremberg.

After two Corona years with cancellations and strict conditions, in which the industry got the right hits and many companies stopped, this year is “a completely normal year again,” said Kalb. "Not outstanding, but similar to 2018 or 2019." The weather helped, even with snow. "We experienced a peaceful, great atmosphere". Many visitors were noticeably reluctant to spend money and "turn the euro twice before spending it". But the dealers are happy that they have income again and are rather satisfied with the sales.

By far not only mulled wine, bratwurst and roasted almonds are in demand. At the largest Christmas market in Germany, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, arts and crafts make up 80 percent of the offer - "and the dealers who sell arts and crafts were satisfied," said Kalb.

There are now one or more Christmas markets in practically every town and larger town, with different accents - here with a curling rink, there as a medieval market, for example. The industry is struggling a lot with staff shortages and electricity costs. Only companies that purchase electricity from the same provider for at least three months benefit from the electricity price brake - but after three months market traders and showmen have long since moved on.