The Schlitz Christmas Candle is a candle-like structure unveiled every Christmas season in Schlitz, a small town in Hesse, Germany. It is approximately 42-metre (138 ft) tall, and is thought to be the largest non-wax candle in the world.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} The candle is created by draping a red cloth over the stone tower at the center of the town. The tower is then topped off with an electric flame to give the impression of a Christmas candle, which can be seen from great distances looming above the town's Tudor-style buildings.^[1][2] The tower used to form the candle is called the Hinterturm, which was built in the 14th century, and is the remnant of a castle that no longer stands. An elevator inside the Hinterturm takes visitors to the top of the tower.^[3]

The candle has been a yearly tradition in Schlitz since the Christmas Candle was first established on November 28, 1991.^[2] The candle serves as the town's Christmas market, which includes vendors, activities, entertainment and guest appearances by Santa Claus^[1] Mayor Hans-Jürgen Schäfer said of the candle, "People come from all over Germany just to take a look at the Christmas candle. Of course, this brings Schlitz to the attention of people all over the world."^[1] Every year in January, the town receives newspaper clippings from all over the world with stories about the Schlitz Christmas Candle.^[1]

Before the Schlitz Christmas Candle, the largest non-wax candle in the world was believed to be the Peace Candle, a tower-like structure assembled every holiday season in Easton, a Pennsylvania city in the United States.^[2]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Schlitz, Vogelsbergkreis.

• Official website of the town of schlitz

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hinterturm.

50°40′23″N 9°33′38″E / 50.673036°N 9.560611°E / 50.673036; 9.560611

• Peace Candle