Some of the most popular items at the Market are the Nativity Scene (also known as a crèche or crib); Zwetschgamännla (figures made of decorated dried plums); Nussknacker (carved Nutcrackers); Gebrannte Mandeln or candied, toasted almonds; assorted cookies like Lebkuchen and Magenbrot (both forms of soft gingerbread); Christstollen or Stollen, a sort of egg bread with candied fruit; and not least, Glühwein, hot mulled wine (with or without a shot of brandy), or Eierpunsch (an egg based warm alcoholic drink), to keep the body going in the cold winter air. Many other homemade crafts and toys, books, and (in recent years) more or less useful gadgets can be found at a Christkindlmarkt. The most famous Christmas markets are held in the cities of Nürnberg, Dresden, and Stuttgart, making them very popular tourist stops. Each year, the Nürnberg and Dresden markets draw about two million, the Stuttgart market attracts more than three million visitors. Other well known markets are held in Köln, Bonn, Lübeck and Wien, Salzburg and Villach.

In the tradition of the German outdoor Christmas Markets the Sacramento Turn Verein offers the community our annual Christkindlmarkt for holiday shopping, entertainment and of course Lebkuchen and Glühwein. Appearances will be made on both days by the American Santa Claus and the German Christkind. Admission is free for the whole family with the donation of a child's coat, otherwise $2 per person. Saturday, December 6th, 10am-6pm; and Sunday, December 7th, 11am-5pm.