The European plazas where people would usually gather at crowded stalls to partake in hot mulled wine, gingerbread, sausages and other delicacies are just empty squares.
Christmas markets, a cherished tradition in Germany and neighboring countries, have joined the long list of annual traditions that were canceled or diminished this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. November saw many European countries impose partial or tougher lockdowns as new virus cases soared. The restrictions are either being retained or only partially loosened as Advent begins Sunday.
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The European plazas where people would usually gather at crowded stalls to partake in hot mulled wine, gingerbread, sausages and other delicacies are just empty squares.
Over the border in France, the roughly 300 stalls of Strasbourg's popular Christmas market won't go up this year. And it's the same story in the Belgian capital, Brussels.
This combination image shows a file photo dated Monday, Nov. 24, 2008, of the Charlottenburg Palace with the traditional Christmas Market in Berlin Germany, top, and the square on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020, below. Christmas markets, a cherished tradition in Germany and neighboring countries, have joined the long list of institutions canceled or diminished because of the coronavirus pandemic this year. (AP PhotoMichael Sohn, file)
This combination image shows a file photo dated Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, of the traditional Christmas Market at the Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic, top, and the square on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, below. Christmas markets, a cherished tradition in Germany and neighboring countries, have joined the long list of institutions canceled or diminished because of the coronavirus pandemic this year. (AP PhotoPetr David Josek, file)
This combination image shows a file photo dated Monday, Nov. 25, 2013, of the Gendarmenmarkt square with the traditional Christmas Market in Berlin Germany, top, and the square on Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, below. Christmas markets, a cherished tradition in Germany and neighboring countries, have joined the long list of institutions canceled or diminished because of the coronavirus pandemic this year. (AP PhotoMarkus Schreiber, file)
STF - STRThis combination image shows a file photo dated Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019, of the Grand Place with the traditional Christmas Market in Brussels Belgium, top, and the square on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020, below. Christmas markets, a cherished tradition in Germany and neighboring countries, have joined the long list of institutions canceled or diminished because of the coronavirus pandemic this year. Top - (AP PhotoFrancisco Seco, file) Below - (AP Photo Olivier Matthys)
This combination image shows a file photo dated Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, of the square in front of the Church of Our Lady with the traditional Christmas Market in Nuremberg, Germany, top, and the square on Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, below. Christmas markets, a cherished tradition in Germany and neighboring countries, have joined the long list of institutions canceled or diminished because of the coronavirus pandemic this year.(AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)
This combination image shows a file photo dated Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019, to the traditional Christmas Market next to Saint Catherine church in Brussels, Belgium, below, and the square on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020, top. Christmas markets, a cherished tradition in Germany and neighboring countries, have joined the long list of institutions canceled or diminished because of the coronavirus pandemic this year. Top - (AP PhotoFrancisco Seco, file) Below - (AP Photo Olivier Matthys)
Nuremberg's sprawling, bustling Christkindlesmarkt, one of Germany's best known holiday markets and traditionally a big tourist draw, was called off a month ago. Markets across the country — including in Frankfurt, Dortmund and many in Berlin — have suffered the same fate, with authorities canceling the events or organizers concluding that it didn't make sense to push ahead with their plans.
This combination image shows a file photo dated Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, of the traditional Market in Strasbourg, France, top, and the square on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, below. Christmas markets, a cherished tradition in Germany and neighboring countries, have joined the long list of institutions canceled or diminished because of the coronavirus pandemic this year. (AP PhotoJean-Francois Badias, file)
Over the border in France, the roughly 300 stalls of Strasbourg's popular Christmas market won't go up this year. And it's the same story in the Belgian capital, Brussels.
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This combination image shows a file photo dated Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, of the square with the traditional Christmas Market in Dortmund, Germany, top, and the square on Monday, Nov. 23, 2020 , below. Christmas markets, a cherished tradition in Germany and neighboring countries, have joined the long list of institutions canceled or diminished because of the coronavirus pandemic this year. (AP PhotoMartin Meissner)
This combination image shows a file photo dated Monday, Nov. 24, 2008, of the Charlottenburg Palace with the traditional Christmas Market in Berlin Germany, top, and the square on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020, below. Christmas markets, a cherished tradition in Germany and neighboring countries, have joined the long list of institutions canceled or diminished because of the coronavirus pandemic this year. (AP PhotoMichael Sohn, file)
This combination image shows a file photo dated Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, of the traditional Christmas Market at the Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic, top, and the square on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, below. Christmas markets, a cherished tradition in Germany and neighboring countries, have joined the long list of institutions canceled or diminished because of the coronavirus pandemic this year. (AP PhotoPetr David Josek, file)
This combination image shows a file photo dated Monday, Nov. 25, 2013, of the Gendarmenmarkt square with the traditional Christmas Market in Berlin Germany, top, and the square on Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, below. Christmas markets, a cherished tradition in Germany and neighboring countries, have joined the long list of institutions canceled or diminished because of the coronavirus pandemic this year. (AP PhotoMarkus Schreiber, file)
STF - STRThis combination image shows a file photo dated Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019, of the Grand Place with the traditional Christmas Market in Brussels Belgium, top, and the square on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020, below. Christmas markets, a cherished tradition in Germany and neighboring countries, have joined the long list of institutions canceled or diminished because of the coronavirus pandemic this year. Top - (AP PhotoFrancisco Seco, file) Below - (AP Photo Olivier Matthys)
This combination image shows a file photo dated Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, of the square in front of the Church of Our Lady with the traditional Christmas Market in Nuremberg, Germany, top, and the square on Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, below. Christmas markets, a cherished tradition in Germany and neighboring countries, have joined the long list of institutions canceled or diminished because of the coronavirus pandemic this year.(AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)
This combination image shows a file photo dated Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019, to the traditional Christmas Market next to Saint Catherine church in Brussels, Belgium, below, and the square on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020, top. Christmas markets, a cherished tradition in Germany and neighboring countries, have joined the long list of institutions canceled or diminished because of the coronavirus pandemic this year. Top - (AP PhotoFrancisco Seco, file) Below - (AP Photo Olivier Matthys)