Advent mood in the Böblingen district: A little substitute for Christmas markets – Böblingen district

Böblingen relies on decorations, the town hall lights up in Herrenberg and fir trees are decorated in Sindelfingen: the district towns offer various campaigns to create an Advent atmosphere and support trade.

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Böblingen – The Christmas markets have been canceled without replacement. While some stands may be set up at a large distance on Stuttgart’s Königstraße, the shopping cities in the Böblingen district play it safe. There is also not much room for maneuver: “Due to the high number of infections, it is important to avoid creating additional points of attraction in public spaces,” explains the city of Herrenberg.

Adventsfenster in Böblingen

Böblingen has been shining since Friday with three festively decorated Christmas trees at the train station, on Elbenplatz and on Postplatz. Above all, the administration relies on practical promotion of the retail trade with free parking spaces. On weekdays the first two hours are free in the parking garages of the Stadtwerke, on the Advent Saturdays nothing has to be paid “to do the Christmas shopping without worries and at a distance,” says city spokesman Fabian Strauch. For the first time, city marketing has launched an advent calendar with 24 offers from shops and businesses. Cosmetics, a yoga class or books can be found behind the door. Customers pay what they want, the proceeds go to social institutions. The Advent windows in the district meeting places are also new: In the “contactless form of encounter”, people who are involved in the meeting places introduce themselves and get in the mood for Christmas with stories, songs, recipes and games.

A present from Sindelfingen

Sindelfingen has brought out a city voucher to support the trade and just in time for Advent. “A great present”, says the mayor Bernd Vöhringer, especially since it can also be ordered online. So everyone can bring joy to their loved ones. The voucher is to be introduced with “an attractive campaign”. The administration also plans to reduce parking fees over a certain period of time. Details are to be announced next week. 150 fir trees that the citizens can decorate themselves are supposed to create a Christmas atmosphere in the city. In addition to the large Christmas trees on the market square and the Wettbachplatz, smaller fir trees were also felled in the city forest, which adorn the Green Square and the surrounding areas and “should give the citizens a peaceful visit to the city center, especially in these difficult times,” explained the mayor.

Mood in Breuningerland

Like every year, the Breuningerland is beautifully decorated, says Marketing Manager Stefan Klausen. But this December only small actions are possible for the visitors. For the first time there is a wish tree in the shopping center, with the help of which up to 350 socially disadvantaged children can be given a gift. The Sindelfingen Community Foundation and the Marriott Hotel are involved in the campaign. A Christmas lounge was set up in a vacant space. There is a packing service and a sofa corner for “a short break” because there are no other seating options. The restaurateurs only offer take-away sales, the food must also be eaten at home. The number of visitors is also limited: the limit has not yet been reached, reports the marketing manager. It remains to be seen how the new regulations will work. “The challenges are great,” says Stefan Klausen. Nevertheless, his aim is to enable tenants to have a successful Christmas business and to offer visitors an atmospheric shopping experience.

Together in Herrenberg

In Herrenberg, the old town is being spruced up this year. On this Saturday, November 28th, 37 groups, families and clubs are decorating the Christmas trees distributed in the alleys. “In times of social distance, the little tree campaign is intended to convey a feeling of togetherness,” the administration said. Because the Christmas markets are canceled due to the Corona, “it means to break new ground”: This Advent, the town hall and collegiate church are bathed in bright colors on the December weekends from 5 to 9 p.m. and illuminated with Christmas motifs and wishes. “The messages should give courage in this difficult time, spread optimism and at least convey some normality,” says Ralf Heinzelmann from the Office for Economy and Culture.

A shining example of Kuppingen

The most extraordinary events are probably held in the Herrenberg district of Kuppingen: the local council and the associations want to make people happy with a ray of light and give them a little confidence over two days. First of all, the historic buildings from the market square to the church shine in a colorful light on the fourth Advent between 5 and 10 p.m. As a highlight, requests submitted by citizens are projected legibly onto the tower of St. Stephen’s Church. And on Boxing Day there should be “brilliant fireworks” on the outskirts, accompanied by a radio station with the right music. “In a year like this, everyone was asked a lot,” write the organizers. With the Kuppinger Christmas lights, “the year 2020, which was marked by renunciation and uncertainty, should end in a glowing way,” they add.

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