“Probably Much More Boring”: Future Projections of Christmas Market Heritage Landscapes

Abstract

Christmas markets are centres of place and culture, having heritage value through impressive histories and long-running traditions. With their array of congregation spaces, huts, and icons (Christmas trees, nativity scenes, carousels), they represent a cultural landscape en miniature, the structural elements being overlain by multisensorial elements (sounds, smells, tastes). Each of these factors are market-distinctive, as are space and place connections, with each heritage landscape being unique. Collectively, these markets represent a cross-national cultural landscape temporarily unifying communities with different cultural traditions. However, transition examination is limited, and missed experiences or future projections have not yet been addressed. Utilising on-site interviews at five Christmas markets in Germany and UK (Dresden, Mainz, Frankfurt, Offenbach, Birmingham) in 2023, we examine changes over remembered time—what was missed, what has emerged, and what future projections were envisaged. While each market is distinctive, overall trends included a decrease in artisanal products and a concomitant increase in gastronomy, an increase in tourism/commerciality, and diminished traditional experience—with factors including policy/administration control and shifting social demographics. Future projections included diminished ambiance, lessened authenticity, and more commercialisation. Our findings highlight potential conflicts considering transition/development across these cultural landscapes, and issues with respect to heritage and cultural integrity.