A Berliner Grades America's Christmas Markets on Black Friday
Thanksgiving week under a strict German eye. Three markets, three school grades, judged on stalls, price and warm toes.
🎄 Seattle Center, a Solid 2 to Open
Seattle Center sets up around 80 artisan stalls, and the lineup lists the Bonnie Birch Bavarian Trio plus a Bavarian Beer Garden Band, real Budenzauber for a homesick Berliner. Thanksgiving week still runs on opening prices of 6.99 to 10.99 dollars, while December climbs much higher. Kids six and under get in free, and tickets are not refunded. The ground is uneven, proper boots help. I will still ask about the mug Pfand, out of principle.
🔥 Saint Paul, a 1.7 With Heated Tents
Union Depot calls this Minnesota's largest traditional outdoor holiday market, and as a German I take the word traditional personally. Entry is free, everything happens outdoors, and three heated tents rescue your toes, my kind of Gemütlichkeit. The market runs across five weekends into December with live entertainment and a kid zone. Check that your day is a market day. A ramp leads from parking lots C and D to the East Plaza. Grade 1.7, almost home.
🧀 Santa Monica, a Swiss Grade by the Pacific
Santa Monica cheats a little. The Swiss Winter Village is Swiss, a first edition with more than 60 wooden chalets on the pier, an ice rink with ocean views and raclette instead of Bratwurst. Adults pay 12.90 dollars, children under three enter free, and payment is cashless only. Organizers recommend layers, the classic Zwiebellook. My Swiss grade is a 2, minus points because raclette is not sausage, plus pure Vorfreude for skating by the ocean.
