Christmas Tree Lighting and Weihnachtsmarkt Tradition Illuminate St. Cloud Winter Festivities

(KNSI) — St. Cloud kicks off the holiday season this week with its official Christmas tree lighting ceremony and Weihnachtsmarkt.

The city’s 11th annual winter party is on Thursday, November 30th, in front of the River’s Edge Convention Center and the parking ramp. Mayor Dave Kleis explained the 11th annual Christmas market honors the community’s roots. “One hundred sixty-sixty-seven years ago, the community was predominantly settled by Germans who came directly from Germany or Austria, or even the Luxembourg area, German-speaking folks. Weinachtsmarkt has always been an enormous tradition in Germany.”

The evening will include lebkuchen, coffee, and hot chocolates, and Beaver Island Brewing Company is making a German beer with the Spalter hops from St. Cloud’s sister city in Spalt, Germany. Guests can also drink gluhwein, a traditional German spiced wine served warm. The event will also have local arts, crafts and music.

Kleis says the evening begins with the lighting of St. Cloud’s official tree. “We actually start with a Christmas tree lighting at the River’s Edge Convention Center at 5:00 p.m. We’ve lit that every year at the River’s Edge Convention Center. The Minnesota Center Chorale will be singing some Christmas songs.”

For more information on the festivities, click here.

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