THE CUSTOM OF DECORATING CITY STREETS FOR CHRISTMAS IS NOW WELL ESTABLISHED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, BUT AT HAMBURG, IN WEST GERMANY, THE TRADITION STEMS FROM THE OLD CHRISTMAS MARKET, STAGED EACH YEAR IN THE CITY.

TODAY THE FAIR HAS EXPANDED FROM THE CONFINES OF THE ANCIENT MARIEN CHURCH, AND THE OLD STALLS HAVE BECOME THE SHOP WINDOWS OF HAMBURG'S SHOPPING CENTRE -- EACH TASTEFULLY DECORATED WITH THE SEASON'S MOTIF.

THE STREETS ARE TRANSFORMED WITH DECORATIONS, ILLUMINATED AT NIGHT, AND THE PLEASURES OF SHOPPING FOR THOSE CHRISTMAS GIFTS CAN FIND A FITTING CLIMAX AT THE FAIR GROUND, STILL CALLED "THE DOME", AFTER THE OLD MARIEN CHURCH.