German Town Recreate Christmas Market With COVID-19 Pandemic Twist

Germany's 2,500 famous Christmas markets usually draw around 160 million visitors every holiday season, but this year, most have been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

People northeast of Munich, Germany, are getting into the holiday spirit with a little creativity. An innkeeper in Landshut recreated the authentic German tradition with a 2020 twist -- a drive-thru Christmas market.

"It was a spontaneous idea because of the second lockdown," the organizer of this unique Christmas market, Patrick Schmidt, said.

The market has meat grilling and chestnuts roasting. People order all the usual treats from the comfort of their car.

"You couldn't do it better during times like these," Visitor Manfred Graf said.

"I heard Christmas carols for the first time and I'm slowly getting into the mood," said Anton Kolbinger, another visitor.

Helping people find those festive feelings is helping organizers, too. Schmidt said his biggest Christmas wish is that the coronavirus is finally brought under control.