An organ grinder entertains at Kitchener's Christkindl Market.

A centuries-old seasonal tradition that's a feast for the eyes, ears and appetite is re-enacted annually when Kitchener's downtown is turned into a festive German marketplace.

Reflecting the area's German roots, the Christkindl Market is a free event that will "magically transport the visitor to another country where Christmas celebrations are revered and perpetuated since the 14th century," said president Astrid Braun.

The five-day event starts today and runs through Sunday, Dec. 10, outside and inside Kitchener City Hall.

Christmas markets have been part of this festive time for centuries in Germany. They were usually held in front of churches, with the oldest recorded one being in 1310 in Munich.

In 1994, Christkindl Market was brought to Kitchener by Tony Bergmeier and today it attracts more than 35,000 people from across North America.

"It's an opportunity to experience the holiday spirit with vendors who entice you to buy traditional baked goods, chocolates, meat products, hand-carved gift items, woven blankets, cuckoo clocks and ornaments to treasure and keep forever," Braun said.

Entertainment includes choirs, bell ringers, bands, dancers and puppet shows. Featured are the 120 members of the Grand Philharmonic Choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus.

'SUCCULENT' FOODS

Add to that "succulent" foods such as German sausages, lebkucken (spice cake) and steaming mugs of gluhwein (mulled wine).

City hall is decorated for the season while inside 70 vendors offer handcrafted and traditional gifts, ornaments, toys, jewelry, florals, ceramics, stained glass and carvings.

There's a live nativity scene, films, children's crafts and pottery centre.

Other displays include blacksmith demonstrations, a crank organ and model railway display with Christmas scene. Cards and letters mailed at the festival will bear a special Christkindl postmark.

The old market tradition provided an opportunity for farmers to come to town, do some shopping and, at the same time, offer their wares.

As the custom of giving gifts at Christmas grew so did the development of Christkindl markets. They became a popular place for the sale of children's toys, gift items and seasonal food specialties.

Kitchener is a fitting location for the festival as the city was founded by German-speaking Mennonites more than 200 years ago.

The fest in Kitchener, a city known until 1916 as Berlin, is Canada's original.

It opens today 4 p.m.-8 p.m. for preview "early-bird" shopping.

Tomorrow is the official opening and includes a nighttime procession to city hall from St. Mary's Church at 6 p.m. with crowds of people carrying candles.

"Mary" and "Joseph" lead the procession and, in the spirit of the original Christkindl Market in Germany, church bells ring and trumpets sound en route to a manger where they spend the evening.

The ceremonies include the dramatic lighting of 1,500 twinkling bulbs on the city hall plaza where there's an outdoor skating rink.

There is also a draw for a trip for two to Stuttgart, Germany, and two Miele vacuum cleaners.

After today's preview, the market is open Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. -5 p.m.

The Kitchener city hall is at 200 King St. W. Parking is free on Saturday and Sunday in outdoor city lots and three parking garages (City Hall, Duke/Ontario Sts. and Kitchener Market). For more, contact 519-741-2387 or christkindlcanada.com

MORE HOLIDAY EVENTS

Port Stanley Terminal Rail is operating its special "Santa Express" trains on weekends this month through Dec. 23 and 24.

Dan Vernackt, president of the tourist railway, said this is the 24th year of "providing holiday fun for families."

It's a chance to "enjoy a ride through Southern Ontario in early winter from the warmth of a heated car and watch your children's anticipation grow as we near our destination and meet Santa."

The trains leave at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. from the Port Stanley station (next to the King George Lift Bridge) for the 50-minute trips. Fares are $11.50, adults, and $7, children, two to 12.

For information, contact pstr.com, 1-877-244-4478 or 519-782-3730.