The Rüdesheim Christmas Market of Nations in unique ways combines international Arts & Crafts, cultures and their cuisine, with German speaking Christmastime customs & lore.
Each year, guests and visitors, vendors and performers, their happenings, ideas and dreams shape the market and its unique and special atmosphere.
These are their stories.
Together, Ralf Biesold, Heinrich Breuer, Gerd Hovorka, Peter Rehwald and Jürgen Salize open the market on Nov 26 1994, at 11:00 am.
Last stall is ready at 10:59 am.
Rainy Saturday, sunny Sunday: “Response encouraged us.”
68 vendors, 35 own stalls, 400 Christmas trees,
2.500 meters of Christmas lights, 10.000 meter cables,
30 junction boxes.
A German tabloid credits the Christmas Market with excellent marks.
Rheinstraße joins the market area.
The round walk via Rhine, Market place, Oberstraße and Drosselgasse is installed.
86 vendors, about 1.000 meters wintertime market lanes.
First Nativity Scene is established on an area of about 36 square meters.
Twelve Market days, 96 vendors, 500 pines, 3.000 lights,
10.000 lights at the American Home.
soon 😉
Hessian Cuisine and Benedictine Beer.
More than 100 vendors.
Merchants Chamber Rüdesheim starts its Christmas Raffle.
Bunny hop and Nativity Trail are installed.
15 Nations, 120 vendors.
The partnering cities from England, France and Hungary join the market.
„Von Kindern für Kinder“ – the first Market Charity evolves.
Rüdesheim Christchild visits the Market.
Ehrfried Grob creates beautiful market paintings.
Radio stations and 124 vendors from twelve Nations join.
Anna Maria Richter writes the market poem.
Market times start on Wednesdays.
Kindergardens create Christmas trees.
Concerts, performances and exhibitions join.
The City of Rüdesheim guarantees ten years of Market privilege.
Supermarkets open their parking lots for cars and buses.
Nativity scene reaches 150 square meters.
Advent Concerts by Rheingau Artists Ulrike Neradt, Gerd Kremer, Peter Parsch and children’s choir „Rheingauer Schlappmäulcher“.
Rüdesheim Nativity Play begins.
Dec 10. 2003 sees a festive dinner mit show and Bata Illic, invited by market community for its first jubilee.
Peter Rehwald receives the Rüdesheim Plate of Honour and a small vineyard from the vintners’ society.
Within the first ten years over 100.000 litres mulled wine filled the mugs.
Regensburger Domspatzen are concert guest.
Rüdesheim Board of Tourism celebrates its centenary.
Market community raises funds for Rüdesheim hospice.
… allows Christmas Market to open all week.
Thomas’ Night closes the Market with minstrels, mumming and glowing lights.
Rüdesheim belongs to the ten most beautiful German Christmas Markets.
‘Queens of the World’ and Chinese guests visit the stalls.
126 vendors. 17 Nations. Four Continents.
Over Summer Peter Rehwald falls severely ill, undergoing long-term healing.
Hope and fear unite Market community and Hosting family.
Assmannshausen and Aulhausen celebrate 900th anniversary,
Niederwald-Monument 125th ,
Eibingen Abbey 100th.
soon. 😉
Gerd Kremer creates and composes
„Rüdesheim Nicolas and his Weihnachtswichtel“.
Tuesday becomes Elves’ Day.
The Tree of Vines rises.
Within the night of August 21 2011, an arson attack destroys
90 percent of the Market stalls.
Fire guards from town and county for hours extinguish the blaze.
Within ten weeks the hosts, local craftsmen, Hamburg specialists and Karz social enterprises together create a new market inventory.
Margit Kremer gives the Market her screen painting of the
„Rüdesheimer Weihnachtswichtel“.
In October, Hildegard of Bingen is raised Teacher of Church in Rome.
With Advent Highlights Andrew’s, Nicolas, Lucy and Thomas’ Night
Christmas Market heads towards Market jubilee 2013…
Guests, partners and community together celebrate the Market Jubilee
by festive ball.
The Market Charity for local food drives is installed.
The Market Advent Book „Advent im Rheintal – Weihnachten in aller Welt“ is published.
Eric Rehwald takes over the directing of the Rüdesheim Christmas Market of Nations.
Charity concerts for St. Andrew‘s and Nicolas Day are installed.
Guests and Market Community together provide gifts
for 90 children in the local food drive.
Despite critical global conditions guests and Market community are able to celebrate a full, safe and peaceful market.
‘Morgenland’ Edition by Syrian refugees and Wiesbaden designer Ira Renninger-Rupp sells within ten days.
As cherished gifts, bags and organizers travel from Rüdesheim to the world.
Die Geschichte geht weiter.
Wir freuen uns auf Sie!
Familie Rehwald & die Marktgemeinschaft
