If you’ve ever wanted to visit a Christmas market in Germany, France or other parts of Europe, but can’t get there just yet, you can make a trek to NYC’s Lower Manhattan instead. During much of December 2019, a Christmas market that is based upon a famous market in eastern France has set foot in Bowling Green Park.

I attended the preview party. Here are some photos from that night.

The NYC holiday market is a replica of Marché de Noel de Strasbourg-Alsace, a Christmas market in the Alsace region of France that’s considered to be the oldest market of its kind in Europe. It dates back to 1570 and is held every year in the city of Strasbourg.

Moving forward to 2019, the market’s American arrival is a result of a cultural exchange involving the tourism boards representing the Alsace region and Strasbourg, along with the French cities of Colmar and Mulhouse.

The market has wooden chalets made in and shipped from Alsace, with an assortment of French goods for sale. Find artisanal crafts ranging from pottery from Soufflenheim and Betschdorf, to hand-painted Christmas ornaments from Strasbourg, to fine table linens from Colmar.

French gastronomic specialties including handmade candies, jams, foie gras pâté, bredele Christmas cookies and gingerbread plus Bretzels O’choc (chocolate covered pretzels) will be available for purchase. Fulfill your appetite with Alsatian culinary specialties, including tarte flambée and plates of choucroute piled with hearty sausages and potatoes, and pair them with Alsatian craft beers and wines. Warm up with a hot mulled glühwein made with spices and cinnamon.

The Strasbourg Christmas Market will run through December 22; Bowling Green Park is across from Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. Vendors take debit or credit cards only.