Gengenbach, Germany, transforms its town hall into a giant advent calendar each December, attracting 100,000 to 220,000 visitors worldwide with unique artwork and community spirit.
The ‘Magical’ Advent Calendar in Gengenbach, Germany
The town of Gengenbach, Germany, turns its town hall into a giant advent calendar each December. This unique tradition has been going on for over 20 years and attracts between 100,000 to 220,000 visitors from around the world.
The Idea Behind the Advent Calendar
Business owners in Gengenbach thought of turning their town hall into a giant advent calendar more than 20 years ago as a way to attract visitors during winter. They took inspiration from standard advent calendars that have 24 slots, which coincidentally matches the number of windows on the town hall.
The Art Rotates Each Year
The art displayed in the advent calendar changes every year. In the past, reproductions of paintings by Marc Chagall and Andy Warhol were featured. This year, the work of German illustrator Olaf Hajek is being showcased.
Attracting Visitors and Promoting Community Spirit
The advent calendar has become a major tourist attraction for Gengenbach, with visitors coming from all over to see the display and patronize the Christmas market in the town center. According to Foell, it’s not just about buying souvenirs, but also about leaving with the true spirit of the holidays.
Quotes
- “It’s a point where everyone comes together, where you meet friends, where you go with family. Everyone comes together. They celebrate together, and they have a good time together.” – Foell
Statistics
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Between 100,000 to 220,000 people visit Gengenbach each winter to see the advent calendar.
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The advent calendar has been a tradition for over 20 years.
Corrections and Credits
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A previous version of the web story misspelled the town of Gengenbach.
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Corrected on December 1, 2024 at 2:27 PM EST.
A Unique Winter Attraction
History of the Advent Calendar Tradition
Artistic Rotations
Attracting Visitors
Importance of Community
Foell emphasizes that the true spirit of the holidays is more important than buying gifts. “It’s a point where everyone comes together, where you meet friends, where you go with family. Everyone comes together. They celebrate together, and they have a good time together.”
Advent Calendars in Modern Times
Advent calendars have become big business in the United States, with some costing upwards of $200. However, Gengenbach’s giant advent calendar remains a unique and special experience for visitors.
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The tradition began over 20 years ago as a way to attract more visitors during the winter months.
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The advent calendar features artwork from various artists, including Marc Chagall and Andy Warhol.
