Christmas Market
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.”
The small mountain mining town of Georgetown, Colorado, transforms into a winter wonderland for its annual Christmas Market. Georgetown during December feels like walking into a snow globe—Victorian buildings lined with twinkling lights, dusted with a soft layer of snow, and streets filled with the rich scent of roasting chestnuts. The Christmas Market isn’t just a festive event; it’s a gathering where the warmth of community and the spirit of tradition merge to create something magical.
Since 1960, the market has been enchanting visitors with its old-world charm, inspired by the Christmas markets of Germany and Scandinavia. It’s a labor of love by the town’s 1,100 residents, who come together each year to preserve a sense of history and holiday spirit. Carolers’ voices fill the streets, blending with the jingle of horse-drawn carriages. Along the sidewalks, artisan vendors display handmade ornaments, wooden toys, and festive decorations.
A cherished moment of the Georgetown Christmas Market is the daily Santa Lucia procession at noon. Led by students from the Georgetown Community School, the procession celebrates the Swedish festival of light. The scene is one of innocence and beauty: young girls dressed in white robes and boys carrying stars slowly move through the cobbled streets, their heads crowned with wreaths of candles and holly. The celebration of Santa Lucia is rooted in Swedish tradition, commemorating the young Christian martyr who wore a crown of candles to lead persecuted believers to safety in the Roman catacombs.
As the eldest daughter in my family, I grew up waking early on December 13 to honor the tradition of Santa Lucia. I would rise before the sun and quietly begin baking cinnamon rolls and cardamom buns, just as my mother had taught me. There was something sacred in those early hours, the smell of cardamom filling the kitchen, as I prepared to share these simple gifts with family and neighbors. It wasn’t just about the treats; it was about offering warmth and connection, an act of generosity that formed a liturgy—a rhythm that marked each year and connected me to my heritage.
As the children’s voices recite the melody of Sankta Lucia, traditions are not only remembered but renewed. It’s not just about honoring the past, but about carrying its light into the present—creating moments of generosity, connection, and hope in the midst of winter’s darkness. The Santa Lucia procession in Georgetown is more than a nod to heritage; it is a way of living out the spirit of light and service, reminding us that these rituals—old and new—are what root us in place and community.
To fully experience the flavors of these traditions, stop at Kneisel & Anderson. The shop offers freshly baked Swedish cardamom bread, a fragrant blend of spice and warmth. Picking up a loaf and enjoying a slice as you stroll through the market adds a special sweetness to the experience. The Christmas Shoppe International invites visitors to explore its unique ornaments and holiday treasures each piece telling a story of Christmas traditions around the world.
In Georgetown, the past feels remarkably close. The Christmas Market, with its blend of Santa Lucia processions, historic charm, and a strong sense of community, captures the feeling of living in the past, present, and future all at once. Like the beloved Christmas carol, it encourages us to remember the beauty of the past, savor the present, and look to the future with hope. And in those moments, as snowflakes fall gently and chestnuts roast over an open fire, Georgetown feels like more than just a charming mountain town—it becomes a place of light and hope. The Christmas Market is a sacred place.
By Katie Lukashow
