Munich Christmas Market Cancellation for 2021
Munich has become the first major city in Germany to announce the cancellation of its beloved Christmas market for 2021, following a stark rise in hospitalizations due to COVID-19.
The Historic Munich Christkindlmarkt
The Munich Christkindlmarkt dates back to the 14th century and is considered one of the oldest markets in the country. This main market, held in front of the neo-Gothic town hall in Marienplatz, had been scheduled to open on November 22 and continue through January 9, 2022.
The Munich market is one of over 2000 Christmas markets held throughout Germany. It is viewed as a ‘destination market’, with visitors flying in from various countries to enjoy the festive atmosphere. It is renowned for its wooden stalls adorned with green-and-white striped cloths filled with traditional gingerbread, grilled sausages, mulled wine, and hand-painted trinkets.
Mayor’s Decision
Munich mayor Dieter Reiter made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s market after meeting with pandemic officers from the Bavarian city’s hospitals. He stated that they “unanimously warned against holding the market.”
Furthermore, Reiter expressed, “The Christkindlmarkt would of course have been a nice pre-Christmas sign of more normality, but unfortunately, despite the possibility of vaccinations, we are currently far from this normality, partly because still not enough people have been vaccinated.” Currently, just over 67% of Germans are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Germany’s 2G Health Pass System
Holding the market under Munich’s 2G rules, which allows entry to those who are vaccinated or have recovered from the virus, would send the wrong signal, according to Reiter. He explained that while the Christkindlmarkt is outdoors, it is challenging to control the number of guests and ensure compliance with the 2G rule at the bustling Marienplatz and surrounding squares.
Future of Other Markets
No announcements have been made regarding other markets scheduled to take place throughout Germany, including the famous Nuremberg Christmas Market, known as the Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt, which attracts about two million visitors each year.
