Christmas markets are part of the tradition of most European countries, however, this year, those markets might be darker than usual. Soaring energy prices and environmental concerns will see the markets cutting down on this year’s Christmas lights. 

In countries like Portugal and Spain, organisers of Christmas markets have already been told to turn off some, or all of their lights. In some cities, they are not allowed to turn them on before 6pm or keep them on after 11pm.

No orgies of light

In Germany, towns like Nuremberg and Munich are famous for their Christmas markets, but “Deutsche Umwelthilfe”, DUH, an independent non-profit organisation advocating for the protection of the environment, demands that Christmas lights in German cities be unplugged. It is also calling for Christmas markets to dim their lights, DUH declaring that “orgies of light and illumination” should be avoided this year, leading to “more thoughtful celebrations”. DUH also says that house and flat owners should think twice before turning on their Christmas lights.

In Austria, Vienna and Salzburg – among other cities – host impressive Christmas markets which are well-liked by tourists, but here too there are drastic measures this year: the Christmas market at Rathausplatz in Vienna will be one week shorter than usual and will be equipped with energy-saving LED lamps, while the traditionally lavish illumination of the Ringstrasse will be dispensed with altogether. And the “Vienna Ice Dream”, where visitors could skate on an ice rink next to the Christmas market, is likely to be cancelled altogether this year.