Atlanta’s plummeting temps of late have made the city’s best impression of Nuremberg in December especially joyful and festive—right around the corner from Dior, Brunello Cucinelli, and Hermès of Paris.
For the second year running (and following a pandemic hiatus), the German-style Atlanta Christkindl Market has set up shop—actually, many shops—in a Buckhead Village parking lot in the shadow of The Charles condo tower.
The event, as organized by the German American Cultural Foundation, was previously held in Centennial Olympic Park.
More than 50 vendors are offering everything from brats and sauerkraut, teas, schnitzel, chimney cakes, handcrafted ornaments, old-timey toys, and spirally caramel apple treats to knick-knacks and an array of beef jerky.
Don’t expect any of it to qualify as cheap—hello, $11 small sausage on bun—but entry to the festivities is free, and live music is often included.
Frothy beers are $8 (German pilsner, hefeweizen, and Märzen) and cocktails around $10. If you want potent, hot Glühwein ($8), or mulled wine, you’ll need both a $5 wristband and $5 collectible mug.
Get this: Fodor’s Travel recently ranked Buckhead’s version of Bavaria at No. 4 on its list of the 15 Best German Christmas Markets in the U.S., with Denver’s taking the top spot.
What else you need to know:
Parking around the Atlanta ChristKindl Market is limited—and nearby free parking nonexistent. The closest parking deck, located around the corner from the market, is at 262 Buckhead Ave. NE.
The closest MARTA train stations are Lindbergh Center and Buckhead station; bus service is also provided on Peachtree.
It’s open until 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve, the final day in operation this year.
Other hours: 3 to 9 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
Pets are welcome, if on a leash.
Head here for a calendar of special events this week and live music performances. And see a visual preview below:
• Buckhead news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)