By: Regina Wright ~Campus News Editor~

Looking for some authentic German culture and holiday gifts? Cincinnati’s fifth annual Cincideutsch Christkindlmarkt, an authentic German market, will be held downtown in Fountain Square throughout the remaining weekends before Christmas.

Kicking off the holiday season, Christkindlmarkt opened on Nov. 25 during Macy’s Light Up the Square.

“I always look forward to the Christkindlmarkt market,” Jordan Hendershot, junior occupational therapy and Cincinnati native said,.

“Every year I go down to the market to look for some fun small holiday gifts and to spend time with my friends. I love getting some hot chocolate and sweets before I go skating. It’s always fun to go and walk around and look at all the holiday decorations. It’s a holiday must for me and I recommend anyone who hasn’t been to go.”

The market boasts authentic German style decorations alongside live music, a fireworks display and the annual lighting of the Christmas tree.

The market also features glühwein (hot spiced wine), hot chocolate, Christian Moerlein beer, traditional baked goods and holiday gift booths. Decorations and live entertainment will also be among the attractions offered to visitors at the market.

The market is next to the Fountain Square Ice Rink, another one of the holiday activities that is open from 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. on weekends and noon – 10 p.m. on weekdays.

Junior biology major Erin McNicolas said, “I had a lot of fun visiting the market. My friends and I decided to go see the Nutcracker at the Aronoff Center of the Arts, and it was the perfect pit stop before the show. We got some hot chocolate and looked at the small woodwork gifts that were out in the booths. I will definitely go back next year.”

The remaining dates include Dec. 10 from noon – 10 p.m., Dec. 11 from noon– 5 p.m., Dec. 17 from noon – 10 p.m. and Dec. 18 from noon – 5 p.m.

Cincinnati native and occupational therapy major Ann Bishop said, “I think the market is great and a holiday staple for the Cincinnati area,”

“My family and I always visit the market when we go to the Aronoff or walk around downtown and look at the decoration. It’s also a fun place to meet friends and get some hot chocolate and then go ice skating.” Bishop said.

Cincinnati’s Christkindlmart market first premiered in 2012. Since then, it has become a holiday staple for the city and was even ranked as the second-best Christmas market in the nation by Travel Magazine.