The Seattle Traveler

Christkindlmarkt in Leavenworth

by Mary Jo on November 15th, 2006

Anyone who knows me well will find today’s post a little startling.

I’m a one holiday at a time kind of person.  I want to celebrate and enjoy a holiday, and all that it has to offer, rather than rushing through to the next.  I HATE seeing Christmas decorations in stores at Halloween time! 

I NEVER thought I’d be writing about Christmas, and related holiday events, here on the blog before Thanksgiving.  But I am.  Because I realize that many of Seattle’s sights, activities and rich traditions, require advance planning and reservations.  So I’m starting my holiday writing today.  Darn it all.

The holiday season is the perfect time to take a day or weekend trip to Leavenworth.  It almost feels like you’re in Europe.

The town was founded in 1890 by pioneers searching for gold, fur, and fertile agricultural soil.  Toward the end of the 19th century, the town began to prosper with the arrival of the Great Northern Railway Company, and the tracks running through the town brought opportunity for work, commerce, and a thriving economy.  Unfortunately, the railway pulled out of Leavenworth, and the once vital town became a hollow, empty community, teetering on the brink of extinction.

In the early 1960’s, in a last-ditch effort to save the city, community leaders decided on a facelift for their town.  The town remodeled itself into a Bavarian village, taking advantage of the beautiful Alpine hills setting.  But a facelift alone wasn’t going to be enough.  Community leaders wanted the town to feel like a Bavarian village, and for visitors to want to come to a little town in the middle of the state to experience that feeling.

The plans for the town’s future were successful, and today Leavenworth is an outstanding example of tourism in Washington State.  More than a million tourists come to Leavenworth each year to experience Bavarian hospitality. 

The Thanksgiving weekend of November 24th-26th, the Bavarian village turns into “Christkindlmarkt,” a holiday event reminiscent of the classic German markets.  It is a family event, with activities for all age groups.  Now in its 11th year, the market features authentic German food (delicious Brats) and pastries (ah, but I love the strudel), craft and merchant booths, a lantern workshop for the kids (they can carry it in the parade), the lantern parade on Friday and Saturday, and continuous live music (both traditional and holiday).  Decorations draw heavily on The Nutcracker and other traditional holiday themes.

Leavenworth is about a 2-3 hours drive from Seattle (approximately 120 miles northwest of the city).  Be sure to check for driving conditions over the pass.  You can also get to Wenatchee by air or by Amtrak, and then drive 25 miles into Leavenworth.

Overnight accommodations are mostly small hotels, motels, inns and bed and breakfasts.  The city website is a great resource of information and also offers a free visitor’s guide.  If you want to overnight, act today, as rooms book up quickly for this popular event.  If there is nothing available in Leavenworth, check in nearby Wenatchee

Hours:  November 24th-26; Friday & Saturday, 10 am-7 pm, Sunday 10 am-3 pm

Location:  Front Street Park, Leavenworth

Photo credit:  flickr

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POSTED IN: Events, Family Fun, Food & Beverage, Scenic & Short Trips