Festivities on the Central Coast: The Cambria Christmas Market

By Phaedra Fernflores 

The Cambria Christmas Market, first opened in 2011, and attracts many visitors every year during the holiday season. This event, inspired by German Weihnachtsmarkt, takes place every year from November 24 to December 23. Just like Weihnachtsmarkt, the Christmas market is full of  Christmas traditions dating back to the 1300s for its visitors to enjoy.

Once inside the market, you can walk around what resembles a German Vendor Market, and you can buy many things including roasted nuts, hot chocolate, hot cider, Lebkuchenherz cookies, and much more. The market is also home to handmade and imported Christmas decorations such as glass blown ornaments and nutcrackers all the way from the Ore Mountains of Germany. 

Along with these Christmas traditions, the market is full of 2 million lights displayed in various festive arrangements and in about any color you can think of. To see these lights, you can walk around the paths that stretch through the market which spans about 1.25 miles long.

The Cambria Christmas market is a great place to take kids during the holiday season. There are many family friendly activities such as the Christmas train which costs five dollars to ride and will take you through the vibrant and colorful lights. Kids can also visit and take pictures with Santa at the market. 

If you haven’t already been, it is highly recommended that you make a trip to the Cambria Christmas market. The feeling is festive and the air is filled with mouthwatering aromas of fresh baked cookies, roasted nuts, and warm drinks to spare visitors from the chilly ocean breeze. Tickets cost twenty five dollars per person and kids under the age of five get in for free.