Around the world in four Christmas wonderlands
With Christmas just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to gather your loved ones and bask in the unique charm of the holidays. And what better place to ring in the most wonderful time of the year than the aptly named Christmas village?
The idyllic setup traces its origins to Nativity scenes in the Renaissance period, during which Italian residents used to act out the night of Jesus’ birth, complete with farm animals and village houses.
The modern iteration of the Christmas village, however, finds its origin in Moravia, Czech Republic, where locals would build elaborate villages around the Nativity theme. The little houses, called ‘Putz’ houses, were made from cardboard and paper, and would often feature small mirrors resembling frozen ponds.
These little villages eventually came to the United States, thanks to European immigrants. In the 1800s, businessman F.W. Woolworth helped spread these decorations by procuring them from German suppliers and selling them in his shops. He soon began to outsource the production of Putz houses to Japanese companies. The setups evolved to include Christmas lights, trains, and tracks.
Today, this ever cheery tradition is beloved across the world, growing from small miniatures and recreations to large scale, full villages free for anyone to visit and bask in the holiday spirit.
Here are a few of the most beautiful Christmas villages found around the world.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Germany
One of the most well-known and beloved holiday destinations in Europe can be found in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany.
With its medieval charm and captivating sights, this German country town transforms into a winter wonderland every Christmas, turning into a festive treasure trove of holiday cheer.
Along its winding, narrow streets, visitors can find the “Reiterlesmarkt,” or the Christmas market square. The market, nestled between the town hall and St. Jakob, creates a picturesque setup and is considered one of the most attractive and popular Christmas markets in Germany.
Along with its 61 stalls, brass bands from the Rothenburg region also perform daily onstage, filling the area with song and joy.
With its bright lights and frost-tipped pine trees all around, the bustling market brings to mind ceramic replicas lined across intricate miniature setups.
Strasbourg
France
Known as the “Capital of Christmas,” Strasbourg in France is a must-see when it comes to famous Christmas villages.
True to its name, this enchanting city has a festive, spiritual ambiance and a unique holiday spirit that remains unmatched even today. The city is decked in lights and decorations every holiday season. When night falls, its rustic charm shines through in the most exquisite way.
Strasbourg is home to a variety of Christmas traditions and sites to see, including the Strasbourg Christmas Market—an over four-centuries-old winter wonderland that stands as the oldest Christmas market in France and one of the oldest in Europe.
Visitors can also find in this market the historic Christkindelsmärik, or the “market of the baby Jesus,” a small but iconic market that has stood since 1570. It‘s hard to miss its richly decorated stalls, traditional mulled wine, and its sweet scents of cinnamon, cloves, and citrus.
Shirakawa-go
Japan
Meanwhile in Japan, visitors eager for Christmas magic can stop by the beautiful Shirakawa-go, a village blanketed in pristine white snow.
Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in Gifu Prefecture, this idyllic landscape is often referred to as “Japan’s Christmas village.”
As if straight out of a fairytale, Shirakawa-go’s unique gassho-zukuri architectural style—with high, triangular, steep roofs designed to prevent snow from accumulating—makes the village seem almost frozen in time. The frosty snow adorning every rooftop and bare tree only adds to its magical atmosphere.
On select Sunday evenings at the start of the year, the village also organizes special illumination events, during which many of its gassho-zukuri farmhouses are lit up, bringing the village to life even in the dead of night.
Surrounded by the beauty of nature and traditional architecture, this little village evokes the solemnity of Christmas cheer in a quiet yet ever enchanting way.
Leavenworth
Washington, USA
Nestled in the scenic Cascade Mountains of the United States, Leavenworth, Washington is a Bavarian-style town that resembles a snow globe, idyllic in the winter.
During the holidays, Leavenworth glows with over half a million lights each night, bringing a sense of magic and whimsy to the already lively town.
In the heart of Christmastown, the downtown gazebo, twinkling with lights, bursts with holiday magic and music, even giving visitors a chance to interact with two of the season’s most iconic figures: Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.
Taking on the warm glow of a German Christmas market, the town comes to life every December with choirs, carolers, and food vendors that fill the streets with joy and wonder. With its festivities and enduring charm, Leavenworth has earned its place as one of the world’s best Christmas villages.
Sources: Inquirer archives, rothenburg.de/en, frankentourismus.com, frenchmoments.eu, visitstrasbourg.fr/en, japan-guide.com/e, klook.com, shirakawa-going.jp.en, Leavenworth.org, secretseattle.co, apnews.com, oeacenusadventure.com, waug.com
