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Old World Christmas Market

Presented by Downtown Alliance at The Gateway

November 21-November 29, 2009

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Downtown celebrates a new holiday tradition with the Old World Christmas Market, beginning Saturday, November 21st at the Union Pacific Depot at The Gateway (400 W. South Temple). The opening day of the market coincides with the annual Light Up the Night concert with special performance by Jon Schmidt and the official lighting of The Gateway's holiday décor.

The festive atmosphere of the Old World Christmas Market is modeled after the Christmas markets of Europe. It will be open Saturday, November 21st through Sunday, November 29th. Hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12-6 p.m. on Sunday, closed Thanksgiving Day. Christmas markets—with origins in Germany as early as the 1300’s—are an especially joyous, anticipated event, as they bring light and laughter to the frosty winter season.

This is the second year the Downtown Alliance has presented the Christmas market, creating one more reason for regional shoppers to enjoy their capital city during the holidays. Last year the Alliance sponsored the popular market outdoors at Gallivan Plaza. The Gateway agreed to host the Old World Christmas Market in the Union Pacific Depot building, moving the event indoors for the 2009 season.

“Downtown Salt Lake is spectacular during the holidays,” said Jason Mathis, executive director of the Downtown Alliance. “Between performances of the Nutcracker, ice skating at Gallivan Plaza, shopping at The Gateway or the Broadway shopping district and concerts and holiday lights at Temple Square, it would be difficult to find a better place to experience the Christmas spirit. We hope this market adds local flavor and one more tradition to Salt Lake City’s holiday scene.”

Visitors can shop for unique, handmade items by local artisans for holiday gift giving. There will be food vendors offering traditional German and Italian flavors of the season including baked goods, candied nuts, spiced cider and hot chocolate. Vienna Bistro will offer delectably fresh European alpine cuisine such as bratwurst, roasted chestnuts, Austrian cakes and chocolates, as well as ornaments and other holiday decorations. “The Gateway is an excellent location for the market, the proximity to other shopping will contribute to our success,” said Frody Volgger, owner and executive chef of Vienna Bistro. “Having a Christmas market confirms that our metropolis is lively with events that occur in the finest city’s around the world.”

Most of the merchants participate in the Downtown Farmers Market in historic Pioneer Park, such as Beverly Hills Cakes, Reflective Art Studio, All the King’s Maille, Elizabeth Plumb Jewelry, Volker’s Bakery, Glass Whimz, Tuscan Accent, Lumen Essence, Marcel and Florette’s Curious Menagerie, Prickly Rock Honey, Sugar Bear Kettlecorn, Segant Jewelry, Mybootee Boutique, Fired Up Glass Studio, Miracle Salsa, White Elephant Collective, Notan Photographique, Bluewater Enterprise, Starlit Studio, At Last Jewelry, Marcello’s Ristorante, Wasatch Workshop, Hour Place, Quick Pick Silver, The Original Way and Laura Rose Designs. Other vendors are Vienna Bistro, The Posh Pomegranate and Oooohhh La Bella.