[Shows & activities] [Festival of lights] [Christmas journey] [Religious activities] [Exhibitions] [Concerts] [Bethlehem] [e-mail]
	The Christmas Market or Christkindelsmärik Every year since 1570, Strasbourg hosts the Christmas Market, the famous "Christkindelsmärik". Essentially consecrated to Christmas crafts and decorations, this market has preserved the true spirit of Christmas. Locations: Place Broglie and Rue de la Comédie, from November 27 to December 24. Place de la Cathédrale and Rue des Hallebardes, from November 27 to December 31. Open everyday from 10am to 8pm, except December 24 and 31 from 10am to 5pm and November 26 from 10am to 7pm. The Christmas Market at the Cathedral will be open from 2pm to 7pm on December 25. The Giant Christmas Tree Decorated and lit up with Antoinette Pflimin's creations, this giant Christmas tree stands 99 feet tall over Place Kléber thanks to the master of ceremonies, the Kiwanis Club. Location: Place Kléber. From November 27 to December 31. The Place de la Gare Celebrates Christmas The Bredele Market The bakeries of Strasbourg and the pastry shops of the Bas-Rhin Department join together to make regional seasonal specialties (Gingerbread, Christmas cookies and cakes) and offer taste-testing of these delicious goodies straight from the oven. From November 27 to December 31. Free Admission. The Spectacular "Giant Ferris Wheel" Traditionally decorated from top to bottom for the Christmas season.
			During the Christmas season, Strasbourg is the best decorated city in Europe. With the assistance of various businesses and the City of Strasbourg, the "Vitrines de Strasbourg" Association organizes this "Festival of Lights". A "Path of Light" guides visitors from the Cathedral to the train station, passing through popular areas of town. Until January 3, 2000. more information ? [e-mail]
	Activities organized by Alsace Média and the Archbishop of Strasbourg. "Born in Bethlehem" A Multimedia Show on Giant Screen. This show evokes the life of Jesus: His Birth, His Life and His Message. Location: Salle Conrath, Access through the Hôtel de Ville or Rue Brûlée. >From November 27 to December 21. Free Admission. For reservations, call 03.88.21.29.92. Festive Musical Evening With the Hortus Musicalis Ensemble Location: Cathedral of Strasbourg. Wednesday, December 29 at 8pm. Free Admission. Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art 1, Place Jean Hans Arp Tel.: 03.88.23.31.31 Fax: 03.88.23.31.32 Direct access from the Saint Marguerite Parking Lot. The Christmas Star Open to the entire public, this show on the Christmas Star attempts to explain the astronomical phenomenon that happened at the time of Christ's birth. Everyday from November 27 to January 6. Monday through Friday at 9:15am, 10:30am, 2:15pm and 3:30pm. Saturday, Sunday and Holidays at 3:15pm and 4:30pm. Closed in the morning during the Christmas school vacation. Location: Planetarium of Strasbourg, 4 rue de l'Observatoire For tickets and reservations, call 03.88.21.20.44. Stamp Collecting Exhibition Organized by the Posta Stamp Collecting Association. Strasbourg's Foie Gras "Two Centuries of Gourmet Traditions" Exhibition on the history and tradition of foie gras in Alsace. A taste-testing session is organized in the cellar. From 11am to 7pm, from November 27 to December 30. Closed December 24 and 25.		Accompanied by a guide, discover the various Christmas Markets and the unique history of each one. Throughout the journey, learn about typical Christmas traditions in Alsace. Starting point: Tourist Office, Place de la Cathédrale. Saturdays, December 4, 11 and 18, 1999 at 4:30pm. Guided Tours Explore the historical quarters of Strasbourg (the Cathedral and PetiteFrance areas). Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, starting December 1. Everyday from December 20 to 31, except December 25. Price: 38 FF, Special Discount: 19FF For more information, contact the Tourist Office: 03.88.52.28.28. Festive Windows and Store-Fronts The citizens and businesses of Strasbourg also contribute to the festiveambiance of the city by decorating their windows and store-fronts. Every year, a contest awards the most beautiful decorations. Boat Rides Chocolate Tours with activities and goodies for children. Price: 20FF for adults, 10FF for children Length: 45 minutes Boat Tours on the Ill River for all ages. Price: 39FF for adults, 10FF for children Length: 1 hour 15 minutes Location: Embarcadère des Rohan. For more information, call 03.88.32.75.25. For groups, call 03.88.84.13.13. Merry-go-round Location: Place du Marché aux Cochons de Lait. From November 27 to December 24, from 10am to 8pm. From December 25 to 31, from 10am to 7pm. "Strasbourg, a child, a book" Activity organized by the "La Chouette" Bookstore for the children of Strasbourg, distribution and signing of a superb book on Alsatian legends: La Légende du Roi Dagobert. Storytelling of tales and legends about Christmas and Alsace. Open to schools, cultural centers and the entire public. Location: Under the Big Top, Place Kléber. From November 29 to December 24. The following concerts and shows are organized daily (some with free admission): The Champagnat Choir The Rue des Dentelles Folk Group The Résonances Vocal Ensemble The Accordions of Vendenheim The Saint Petersburg Quartet The Strasbourg Choir The Saint Guillaume Choir Amia The Tourdion more information ? [e-mail]
	In December 1999, the City of Bethlehem will be Strasbourg's guest of honor. We will take the opportunity to symbolically restore the title to the true capital of Christmas: Bethlehem. On the threshold of the new millenium, Strasbourg, unlike other big cities, wants to remain more "humble" and wishes to bring back the original, spiritual meaning to Christmas festivities. Therefore, the City of Strasbourg, the European Capital of Christmas, engaged into a partnership with Bethlehem in Palestine, the authentic Capital of Christmas. The first meetings between the two cities took place in December 1996. This partnership between Bethlehem and Strasbourg will be carried out through concrete and long-lasting projects. The following is a list of some of the planned activities: The Nativity Market Selling and demonstrations by Bethlehem's artisans of their different trades: tapestry, pottery, copper jewelry and utensils, olive wood carvings Location: Place du Château. "Path of 40 Pillars" Sculpted by artists in France, seventeen monoliths will be presented on the Place du Château. Some of them will also be presented in Bethlehem, creating a link between the Cathedral in Strasbourg and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Traditions and Culture This exhibition of jewelry, dresses, tapestries, and pictures gives the visitor a better understanding of the traditions and daily life of the citizens of Bethlehem. Locations: Hôtel de Ville, Place Broglie. Salle de l'Aubette, Place Kléber. "Conferences for Hope" Conferences in the Cathedral November 30: "The Catholic Church's mission throughout the world", presented by Bishop Karl Lehmann. December 7: "The Evangelistic Spirit and the Construction of the European Union", presented by Mr. Jacques Delor. December 14: "Jesus, the man from Galilee: the Good News for everyone", presented by Father Elias Chacour. Conferences/Round Tables at l'Aubette December 13: "1001 Pleasures of the Palate: Traditional Palestinian Recipes". December 15: "Artwork by Children", presented by Mrs. Jihan Anastas. December 16: Dr. Mitri Raheb, Pastor. December 17: "Rights of a child, a woman and a family" University Workshop		Marc Bloch University, University of Jerusalem and University of Bethlehem. "A Specific Approach of the Child in a Violent Environment", presented by Prophet Elias. Location: Collège de Ibillin From December 15 to 18. "Born in Bethlehem" Organized by Alsace Média, this multimedia show on giant screen will be shown in Strasbourg from November 27 to December 21 and in Bethlehem starting in the beginning of December. Location: Salle Conrath, Hôtel de Ville, Place Broglie. Free Admission. For reservations, call 03.88.21.29.92. December 18: Charity dinner in the Château des Rohan to raise money for the Nativity Scene in Bethlehem. December 24: Midnight Mass at the Cathedral, "Message from Bethlehem". December 29: The official handing over of the "Capital of Christmas" title to the City of Bethlehem in the Cathedral of Strasbourg. more information ? [e-mail]

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