It makes sense that the biggest one is in a Black Forest town in Germany where the world witnessed the advent of the Advent calendar.
Gengenbach in Baden-Württemberg boasts the world’s largest Advent Calendar House or Das weltgrößte Adventskalenderhaus.
And has done for 20 years, commissioning its rathaus, or town hall, into service.
With the 24 windows which face the town square turned into advent squares.
With all the pomp and ceremony that involves.
Open the doors
So that if you’re in Gengenbach this month at 6pm you’ll be witness to a ceremony where the next day’s window is unveiled and illuminated.
The ceremony is led by a herald who tells a short story in verses while children sing and dance.
And maybe look out for anyone looking like Augustus Gloop… there is a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory link
The windows are decorated with a festive Christmas scene.
And we have it on good authority too that there have been Andy Warhol works.
And scenes from the Gruffalo, Harry Potter, and Scandinavian favorite Pippi Longstocking .
Nor is the Advent Calendar the end of the showmanship in Gengenbach.
Fool’s Museum gold
With the Narrenmuseum im Niggelturm, or Fools Museum, a must visit for those who have made a life out of playing the fool.
Although you’ll have to wait until April, peak time for jesters, it would seem.
Every year, on the Saturday three and a half weeks before Ash Wednesday the town is awakened by the Hemdeglunker.
He’s the “Rogue”, the main character of Gengenbach Fasend, don’t you know, and he lives in the 118ft tower.
And on this day they go through a reenactment of a peasants uprising with the Rogue taking centre stage.
Climbing the 132 steps of the tower and taking plaudits from the mob below.
There are fireworks and poetry and masks and three weeks of carnival.
Harlequin exhibition
The museum is open April through October, Wednesday and Saturday, 2pm to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm. Admission is €2.50 for adults and 1€ for children.
Mind you, the good news is that there is a Harlequin festival until December 23.
With an exhibition by renowned town artist Walter Eberhard.
Strasbourg in France is the nearest airport and is a 45-minute drive.
So you have another couple of weeks to get out to Gengenbach to see the advent of the Advent calendar.
And as confirmed Germanophiles and looking to build on our trip earlier this year further north in Ruhrland our interest is piqued.
It will put your own chocolate-fest into sharp contrast.