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The various cultural events during the Advent are dominated by the Christmas Market in the historical Main Square in the centre and the amazing street party celebrating the arrival of the New Year.

Even though the Christmas market does not have a centuries old tradition in Bratislava, it has gained the reputation of being one of the best open-air events of the year. It quickly and naturally became the place for all generations of Bratislavians and visitors to meet.

While fourteen years ago the Christmas Market started with some 50 stalls, this year the Main Square and the adjacent courtyard of the Old Town Hall will accommodate over 100 stalls. The official opening of the market, which falls on Friday 23 November this year, will include the traditional switching on of the Christmas tree lights.

What is characteristic of Bratislava Christmas Market is the choice assortment of Christmas fare on offer, respecting traditional national cuisine. Try a typical “Gypsy Liver” pork burger (Cigánska pečienka), spicy sausage, bread with lard and onion, savoury pastry (Pagáč), goose or sauerkraut potato crepe, sauerkraut soup, hot punch, mulled wine or grog. For dessert why not have some sweet pastry, Christmas wafers, honey biscuits, or Christmas mead. 

The stalls have various trinkets and gifts on sale, complementing the special pre-Christmas atmosphere. Wood, glass, leather, wicker, dried corn leaves, or beeswax, are just some of the natural materials used to make practical and decorative wares. In the courtyard of the Old Town Hall members of the guild of historic crafts sell their merchandise.

Consumer goods maniacs will not be so enthusiastic about the Christmas Market on the Main Square, because no such goods are sold there. Instead they should go to any of the many shopping centres, like Aupark, Polus or Avion, where you can find top brand names and much more.