Cincideutsch Christkindlmarkt at Fountain Square

CINCINNATI - This weekend celebrate the beginning of the holiday season at the first Cincideutsch Christkindlmart held at Fountain Square.

The German Christmas Market will feature vendors selling unique holiday gifts, baked goods, sweets, and mulled wine.

The tradition originated in Germany and Austria and is now held worldwide, typically in a town square fashion. Cincideutsch, a group of Cincinnatians who celebrate German culture and language, decided to bring the celebration to the Queen City.

Councilmember Laure Quinlivan secured a $4,000 scholarship for the event's first year. Quinlivan says she was exposed to the Christmas market tradition after vacationing with her family at the Rhine River in Germany last year.

“I enjoyed shopping at the Christmas markets last December at town squares in Koblenz, Cologne, Heidelberg, and Frieburg.  The markets are so popular in Europe that cities like Strasbourg, France have adopted this German tradition to drive economic activity,” said Quinlivan.

A ribbon cutting ceremony kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday and will be followed by a performance from Kolping Sangerchoir.

Christkindlmarkt runs Friday, Nov. 23 and Saturday, Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Sunday it's open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.