Yesterday, Friday, the Christmas Garden in Frankfurt celebrated its premiere. From now on, around 2 million light points in numerous installations will transform the entire area around Deutsche Bank Park and the Stadionbad into a magical winter wonderland. Just beyond the entrance, where visitors are greeted by glowing snowflakes, many shining eyes could be seen. The light figures lining the path directly onto the colourfully illuminated stadium also caused joy and will probably serve as a popular motif for selfies in the coming weeks. Accompanied by Christmas sounds, the 2km long tour quickly captivated the premiere guests. But what is the Christmas garden, which has been successfully held in many cities for several years?
It all started in 2012, when the managers of the London botanical garden Kew Gardens were looking for a way to become more attractive and attract more visitors, especially in the winter months. It was then that the concept of a magical journey was developed, a trip into nature with the unique atmosphere of an illuminated world. The first Christmas Garden was a complete success, which could be repeated in other cities like Paris or Barcelona. The special winter event has also been successfully implemented in Germany - for example in the Wilhelma in Stuttgart or in the Botanical Garden in Berlin. In 2020, the Christmas Garden was also to celebrate its premiere in Frankfurt, but this was cancelled due to the pandemic situation at the time. But now the time has finally come.
"We are insanely happy that after all these months we can finally offer such an event highlight again," said Oliver Hoppe, managing director of FOH Rhein Main Concerts GmbH when presenting the concept. And he added that the Christmas Garden Frankfurt offers "the perfect conditions to take some well-deserved time out together with friends and family and get in the mood for Christmas."
In around 3 weeks of set-up time, the approximately 25 light displays were installed. The stadium itself also takes a central role. Christian Diekmann, board member of DEAG and managing director of Christmas Garden Deutschland GmbH, admitted that he had been sceptical at first when Patrik Meyer, managing director of Eintracht Frankfurt Stadion GmbH, made him the proposal to implement the Christmas Garden on the stadium grounds. But after the first inspection of the area, his scepticism quickly disappeared. Diekmann sees the inclusion of the stadium pool in particular as a real benefit for the event, as a particularly fascinating water projection can be presented here.
A star tunnel, the dance of colours, fairy magic, a laser garden, snowballs and much more can be seen on the circular route. For children there is also a chain carousel and also for the small or big hunger is provided. On the grounds of the stadium pool, where the tour will end, visitors can end the evening with a culinary treat. Here, a small Christmas village has been set up where, in addition to mulled wine and roasted almonds, there will also be tarte flambée, bratwurst and Frankfurt specialities such as green sauce, Hessian tapas, Frankfurt sausages or handkäs with music.
The Christmas Garden Frankfurt will be held in compliance with a strict hygiene concept: Personalized tickets can be purchased online at selected time slots. This is to prevent long queues at the entrance.The 2-G regulation applies, as well as a mask requirement at points where the distance of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained (such as when queuing at the stalls in the Christmas Village). Should there be new requirements from the Hessian Corona Cabinet, the concept will of course be adjusted accordingly. You can find the complete hygiene concept HERE.
Impressive, beautiful and romantic - this is how the premiere of the Christmas Garden in Frankfurt thrilled the audience. And it should not remain with a unique guest performance. The aim is for the Christmas Garden to become a permanent fixture on the winter event calendar in Frankfurt. Anyone who wants to experience a very special Christmas atmosphere can do so from now until 9 January 2022 in Deutsche Bank Park and at the Stadionbad. We and the other premiere guests enjoyed it very much! All further info, including tickets and time slots for admission, can be found at: https://www.christmas-garden.de/frankfurt/
