As winter settles over North Alabama, Cullman transforms into a place where Christmas comes to life.
Each year, this small Southern town of just 20,000 people transforms with remarkable intention into a storybook-worthy European village, home to the beloved Cullman Christkindlmarkt. What has emerged is one of the nation’s most authentic German-style Christmas markets, a place where tradition is celebrated and honored.
Honoring heritage with intention
Founded in 1873 by German settlers, Cullman has always worn its heritage proudly. Brick by brick, recipe by recipe, and generation after generation, the community has preserved the cultural roots that shaped it. So when city leaders began dreaming of a Christmas market years ago, they did what Cullman does best: they approached it with purpose.
Long before the first wooden hut was built or the first twinkling light was strung, teams from the Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Department traveled to Germany—visiting markets in Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Stuttgart, Dresden, and beyond. They studied everything: the craftsmanship, the food traditions, the flow of walkways, the artistry, and the spirit of hospitality embedded in these centuries-old celebrations. Every detail of Cullman’s Christkindlmarkt was drawn from that research, ensuring the experience would feel truly—and respectfully—authentic.
“From our humble launch to now reaching nearly nine acres of German-themed wonderland, our small community has shown what vision, teamwork, and authenticity can create,” said Nathan Anderson, Executive Director of Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism. “We set out to bring the charm of Germany’s Christmas markets to the heart of the South, and today, Cullman is delivering that experience on a scale that rivals some of the most iconic holiday destinations in the country.”
A holiday wonderland for every visitor
What began in 2019 with just eight vendor huts has grown into a nine-acre market that welcomed more than 370,000 visitors from 48 states in 2024. Handcrafted wooden stalls—built by local artisans—line nearly 1,500 feet of walkways, all glowing under a canopy of lights and alive with the aromas of roasted chestnuts and warm Glühwein. German and English carols drift through the air, Saint Nicholas poses for photos, and families gather around fire pits as if inside a living snow globe.
This year’s market features nearly 80 merchants and European-style food vendors, plus one remarkable new arrival: Käthe Wohlfahrt, Germany’s most iconic Christmas shop, opening its first Alabama location inside Festhalle Market Platz—the largest timber-frame structure in Alabama. Inside, guests can browse heirloom-quality ornaments, watch artisans at work, and step into a space that feels straight out of Bavaria.
Around every corner, intention meets delight. Visitors can glide across Alabama’s largest outdoor ice rink, ride the 108-foot Ferris wheel, climb aboard a rare Venetian-style double-decker carousel, zoom down a 100-foot tubing slide, or watch live demonstrations from a world-record-holding glassblower, a Ukrainian blacksmith, and a traditional coppersmith.
Visitors can savor the flavors of Germany without leaving Alabama. From the crisp, savory slices of flammkuchen (German pizza) to the sweet, cinnamon-scented chimney cakes, and the rich, gooey indulgence of raclette, the market offers a culinary tour of Europe’s holiday traditions. Each bite is handcrafted with care, letting guests taste the authenticity that inspired Cullman’s Christkindlmarkt from the very first visit to Germany.
And with such a wide mix of activities—thrilling rides for little ones, cozy fire pits for adults, and magical touches for everyone in between—the market truly offers something for both kids and kids at heart. There’s no better place to step into the Christmas spirit.
The heart of the market
At the center of it all stands this year’s crown jewel: a 46-foot-wide, 21-foot-tall walk-through Schwibbogen inspired by the candle arch at Dresden’s famed Striezelmarkt. Handbuilt entirely from wood and anchored to a steel bridge that provides sweeping views of the market below, it is believed to be the largest walk-through wooden Schwibbogen in the world.
Schwibbogen arches have been central to German Christmas celebrations since the 1700s, representing light, hope, and community during winter months. By creating the world’s largest walk-on interpretation of this tradition, Cullman offers American audiences a rare cultural experience previously available only in Europe.
“This arch is more than a structure–it’s a symbol of who we are,” said Mayor Woody Jacobs. “It honors our founding heritage, strengthens our downtown, and creates a sense of wonder for every family who visits the Christkindlmarkt. I’m grateful for the extraordinary work of our CPRST team and the shared vision that made this possible.”
In Cullman, nothing about the Christkindlmarkt is accidental. Every board, every booth, every bite, and every song reflects years of research, craftsmanship, and heartfelt intention.
This small Alabama town isn’t just celebrating Christmas; it’s redefining what a holiday destination can be.
Courtesy of SoulGrown Alabama
