Seattle Christmas Market

Many European towns host Christmas Markets in December and each one is unique, featuring local artisans and regional refreshments.  The Seattle Christmas Market, inspired by the Vancouver Christmas Market, is bringing this old-world tradition of festive delight to Washington.

We head to Seattle, stopping first at Pike Place Market for lunch.  Founded in 1907, the market is one of the oldest and largest continuously-operating public markets in the United States and is brought to life by hundreds of farmers, crafters, small businesses, and residents.

Pike Place Market

We wander the market and stop at the Market Grill for fresh-grilled fish sandwiches (blackened salmon and rockfish).

Market Grill

View of Puget Sound from the market

Santa at the market

In the late afternoon, we walk through Seattle to the Space Needle, location of the Christmas Market.  The Space Needle appears through the buildings as we approach.

Approaching the Space Needle

Entering the market, we start with Christmas fantasies and an Enchanted Forest.

Entering the market

Starting  to explore

Enchanted forest

We pass through Lover's Lane and enter the land of craft, with 80 artisan huts featuring a wide variety of merchandise.  After a little shopping, we reach the double-decker carousel (and ride on a horse and a reindeer) and the large Christmas Pyramid (with a Gluhwein stand in the bottom).

Lover's Lane

Shopping

Carousel

Pyramid and tree

Holiday thoughts

We approach the food stands and find a great assortment, settling on bratwurst and paella with roast duck and truffles (and, of course, German beer), after a German pretzel and a tornado potato (cut in a spiral, skewered, and deep fried).

Food stalls

As the sun sets, the lights become more festive and the crowd grows as people come in for dinner and the evening.

Evening arrives

Leaving the Christmas Market, we admire the lights of Seattle as we walk back to our hotel near the Convention Center.

Lights of the city

Now we have to plan to visit the European markets in the coming years!