BY LAILANI MENDOZA-LAI

In Alberta, where frigid temperatures sometimes dip even lower than the North Pole’s, there’s one thing that brings some warmth to people in the middle of winter –Christmas markets.

When you go to a Christmas market, the things people might dislike about winter – the snow and the cold – are magically transformed and become something enjoyable.

Come to think of it, the glittering lights look way more magical against a snowy backdrop, and the freezing cold make sipping your hot cocoa or mulled wine that much more satisfying.

But did you know that the earliest versions of these markets bore almost no resemblance to the winter spectacle that people have come to love?

Spartan To Sparkly

According to an article published in the Heritage journal, the first winter fairs in medieval Europe were actually born out of necessity. These first markets were created as a way to stock up on essentials and goods in the middle of a long winter leading up to Christmas Day.

Vienna’s 14-day December fairs in 1296 are one of the oldest documented precursors to the modern-day Christmas market, although it had no direct correlation to religious traditions. In Germany, meat markets were held on Saturdays when, in 1384, King Wenceslas IV gave butchers permission to sell meat from St. Michaels’ Day (September 29) until Christmas Day.

Over the years, the markets started growing in size and reach, and its identity became entwined with Christmas celebrations. Vendors started selling items beyond just the necessities, like confectionery and specialty Christmas breads, while craftsmen started selling toys. As Christmas markets gained popularity, they crossed national borders into German-speaking areas in Italy, France and Switzerland.

Many parts of the world – whether in Prague, Singapore or Toronto – now host their own versions of Christmas markets infused with each country’s culture and local flavour

Here in Alberta, two of the biggest Christmas markets are gearing up for another busy season: the Edmonton Christmas Market and Spruce Meadows’ International Christmas Market.

Edmonton Christmas Market

where: Fort Edmonton Park (7000 143 Street NW, Edmonton) when: November 29 - December 31 yegxmasmarket.com

Playing up the nostalgia in historic Fort Edmonton Park, the Edmonton Christmas Market is quickly becoming a tradition for many in the city and the surrounding areas. “We are ‘Shop, Sip, Eat, Play and Give.’ Each of those pillars identifies with what somebody can expect when they come to the market,” says Jessie Bruce, the Edmonton Christmas Market’s marketing and communications manager. “So, you're not just getting a shopping experience, you're getting a winter festival experience, which I think in a festival city such as Edmonton, that really, really brings in that kind of fun, magical Christmas atmosphere that totally sets us apart.”

New this year is a Christmas steam train that’s sure to delight the littlest attendees. With over 100 vendors expected to participate over the course of three weeks, Bruce says there’s something for everyone.

What To Try

Foodies will have plenty of delicious items to try in this year’s event:

• This includes special Christmas-themed brownies from WOW Brownies, a local business known for their small-batch, artisan treats. Their creations include flavours like Gingerbread, Candy Cane and Chocolate Orange (their version of Terry’s Chocolate Orange Ball), and are hard at work perfecting their market entry.

• Krammed Kookies gets creative by offering custom cookies based on a surprise Christmas character. This femaleowned company is famous for its chunky, 10 oz stuffed cookies, perfect for sharing or indulging your inner Cookie Monster.

• For the first time ever, Blindman Brewing will have pre-bottled mulled wine available, exclusively for the market. Market goers looking for a novel experience can also try their poke beer. Poking beer is a process where a red-hot metal rod is dipped into cold beer. This caramelizes the sugars in the drink, warms it up and adds “a frothy, foamy deliciousness” – perfect for drinking in the cold.

For those wanting to elevate their winter festival experience, Bruce says they’re also offering several paid events and workshops. This includes a chocolate-making workshop; a high tea event where attendees can dress up and experience “a traditional English tea with a Christmas twist” and exclusive dining events with renowned Edmonton chef, Paul Shufelt.

Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market

where: Spruce Meadows (18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW, Calgary) when: November 14-16, 21-23, and 28-30

This year marks Spruce Meadows’ 50th year anniversary, so it’s no surprise that the world-class sports complex in Calgary will be hosting its biggest Christmas market yet. Over the last three weekends in November, expect to see over 325 vendors at the International Christmas Market.

“As a special feature for our 50th anniversary, we’ve challenged our vendors to create something that will be exclusively available at our market,” says Krista Poffenroth, Spruce Meadows’ manager of exhibits and business developments. One of the new features that foodies would not want to miss at the market is the Congress Hall, an indoor interactive space highlighting food and beverage. “We’re going to have over 30 vendors, a nice seating area, an entertainment stage, and then people can go booth to booth to sample the different spirits and food.”

What To Try

• To enjoy the taste of a classic Christmas dinner without the extra work, try Great Events Catering’s special Christmas creation, the Turkey Stuffing Ball. It’s a delicious orb of holiday goodness made of turkey meat and stuffing, served with gravy and cranberry sauce. “We were camping for Thanksgiving this year, and that’s what I brought for the Thanksgiving dinner!” said Poffenroth.

• French 50 Artisan Bakery is serving fondue cheese on demi-baguettes. Based in Okotoks, this bakery is known for their flavourful, naturally fermented sourdough bread. One bite of this classic pairing could be the next best thing to having a raclette dinner in France.

• “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire” is the famous first line from Nat King Cole’s The Christmas Song. While we don’t know for sure if there will be chestnuts, Going Nuts will be at the market, roasting their signature flavoured nuts on demand.

• Those who prefer a little spice and some global flavour can check out Arepa Boss’s tasty arepas, served with homemade sauces and salsas. They’re also serving hot empanadas, hallacas, cachapas and tequenos with some gluten-free and vegan offerings.

• Beer lovers can enjoy some of the best craft beers in the province with High River Brewery’s 12 Days of Beers, exclusive to Spruce Meadows. Those who prefer a bolder option can sample Star Distilling’s exclusive maple whisky

A Dose Of Christmas Magic

Christmas markets – with their beautiful light displays, fun activities and delicious eats – are something to look forward to. But the markets also offer some other benefits, like providing a place where important connections can happen. “It’s very important to us that we’re supporting local,” says Poffenroth. “Vendors have said that they find clients at our Christmas market that help keep them in business for the rest of the year.”

Christmas markets are also a great place for customers and vendors to build relationships, Poffenroth adds. “It helps the producer connect with the customer, and it helps [the customer get to know and want to support the business] when they understand who the small business is and what their impact is.”

For Bruce, it also helps people feel connected. “Sometimes, especially around the holidays, it's the most beautiful time of year but it can be such a lonely, hard time for people. I think just having the magic of Christmas around and giving folks a place to go and create new traditions with their families, with their friends, with their spouses – it's so important for us. We want to be a hub for the community.

WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE SO MANY WONDERFUL HOLIDAY MARKETS ACROSS OUR PROVINCE! DO CHECK OUT THESE BELOW TOO AND SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISANS FOR YOUR GIFTS THIS YEAR!

MILLARVILLE CHRISTMAS MARKET where: 306097 192 Street W, Millarville when: November 6-9 and 13-16, 9am-4pm millarvilleracetrack.com/christmas-market

BEARSPAW CHRISTMAS MARKET where: 253220 Bearspaw Road, Calgary when: November 28-30, December 5-7 bearspawcommunityassociation.com/bca-christmas-market

A VERY INDIGENOUS HOLIDAY MARKET where: Alberta Aviation Museum, 11410 Kingsway, Edmonton when: November 14–16 facebook.com/events/1282518056191074

CHRISTMAS AT THE NATION HOLIDAY MARKET where: 7 Chiefs Sportsplex and Chief Jim Starlight Centre, Tsuut’ina Nation, 19 Bullhead Rd, Priddis when: December 12- 14 christmasatthenation.ca

CHRISTMAS GLOW where: Edmonton Expo Centre 7515 118 Avenue NW, Edmonton when: December 4-31 glowyeg.ca

MARKET COLLECTIVE HOLIDAY SERIES where: BMO Centre, Hall D, 20 Roundup Way SE, Calgary when: December 5-7 and 12-14 marketcollective.ca

GRANARY ROAD CHRISTMAS MARKET where: 226066 112 Street West, Foothills County when: November 22-December 14 granaryroad.com/christmas-market

LITTLE MODERN MARKET where: Red & White Club, McMahon Stadium 1833 Crowchild Trail NW, Calgary when: November 22, 10am-4pm littlemodernmarket.com/upcomingmarkets

BUTTERDOME CRAFT SALE where: Butterdome, University of Alberta 11440 87 Avenue NW, Edmonton when: December 4-7 butterdome.com

PEAK TO PRAIRIE MARKET where: Winsport, 88 Canada Olympic Road S W, Calgary when: November 16, 9:30am-4pm peaktoprairiemarket.com