36 Christmas markets in Hamburg: CDU against fee increase
Mulled wine, baked goods and arts and crafts - that's what 36 Christmas markets are offering on public streets and squares in Hamburg this year. Numerous other markets will be held on private property, especially at churches, as the Senate announced in response to a minor question from CDU Member of Parliament David Erkalp. Compared to the previous year, the number of markets has not changed, but the number of stalls is expected to increase by two dozen to around 550.
The most popular event of this kind is likely to be the traditional Christmas market at the town hall, where the expected almost three million visitors will be able to walk around almost 80 stalls. Just as big is the White Magic on the Jungfernstieg against the backdrop of the Binnenalster. The Christmas market on Gerhart-Hauptmann-Platz scores with a wide range of arts and crafts.
Most Christmas markets open well before the first day of Advent, but the Wandsbek Winter Magic has been running since November 3 and continues until January 1, a good twice as long as the actual Christmas season. The neighborhood on St. Pauli has also been focusing on Christmas charms since Monday with "Santa Pauli" on Spielbudenplatz.
The Christmas market at the Michel, which the parish of the main church organizes for the first Advent, is considered the oldest in Hamburg. According to a parish spokeswoman, it is being held for the 101st time. The Christmas market on the Rathausmarkt opens this year on November 27. The White Magic on Jungfernstieg already starts on November 23.
"Hamburg's Christmas markets are very popular throughout the city. Numerous showmen put a lot of effort into the design and presentation of their stands," explained Erkalp. The CDU parliamentary group's spokesperson for retail and tourism therefore expects the red-green senate not to make life difficult for showmen in the future by increasing costs.
Erkalp cited the Sasel Christmas market, which is not taking place this year, as an example. The Wandsbek district authority is demanding that the operators reimburse the costs incurred by the relocation of a weekly market. However, there is also a new event in the Wandsbek district, namely the Rahlstedt Christmas market.
According to the Senate, the district authorities collected around 630,000 euros in fees last year, compared to around 560,000 euros in the pre-corona year 2019. By far the largest share of the fees, over 430,000 euros, was collected in the Mitte district.
The CDU is advocating against an increase in fees for operating Christmas markets on private property, such as churches. To adhere to customs, the organizers of the Sasel Christmas market have been asked to cover the costs incurred from relocating a weekly market, leading to its cancellation this year. Despite the fees, the Senate collected over 630,000 euros last year, with the Mitte district contributing the largest share.
Source: www.dpa.com
