Every year in Europe, there are street markets that occur during the four weeks of Advent in celebration of the holidays. The Christmas markets brings joy to local towns, illuminating streets with Christmas decorations, music and dancing, and the aroma of tasty sweets. The tradition originally began as the December market in Vienna, Austria in 1298 and began to spread all across Europe after Germany popularized it by giving it a Christmas theme in the 14th century. Every country brings their own unique twists to each market but they all hold the same value of bringing cheer to the people around them.

This tradition, called Marché de Noël in France, has spread to the United States and has become increasingly popular in the Bay Area due to the large French community. The Christmas markets help French and Americans alike to celebrate the holidays and have many fun activities for families that also support local businesses.

Blue Orange Games is proud to be represented in the Bay Area Christmas markets by Anne-Sophie Seret through her company, Little Dragon Toys. Little Dragon Toys’ mission is to be a community of parents and child-development experts who share tips, tools, and toys that will allow them to spend more quality time with their children while enabling them to play, learn and fly.

Below is the schedule for upcoming local markets, the perfect place to find Christmas spirit, play our games at the Little Dragon booth, and find the best holiday gifts for all your loved ones!

DEC 6th	Holiday French Market Alliance Française de Berkeley 2004 Woolsey St from 5pm to 8pm
DEC 7th	The Collab – Holiday Market At 1603 Irving St – SF from 11am to 4pm
DEC 8th	Lycee Français – Winter Fair At Ortega Campus from 11am to 3pm
DEC 10th	Holiday Market At Messy Art Lab – 345 Judah St SF from 2pm to 8pm
DEC 14th	Sunset Mercantile At SF County Fair Building, 9th Ave/Lincoln from 11am to 5pm
DEC 15th	Marche de Noel AF & L’Apéro The Park Central 50 3rd St – SF from 10am to 6pm

For more information about Little Dragon Toys, visit their website at www.littledragontoys.com