NOTE: Video above from 2019 Christkindlmarket Chicago.
CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicagoland's favorite holiday tradition since 1996 returns in person!
The Christkindlmarket Chicago celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and will be back in-person in Daley Plaza, as well as online.
Stroll through the aisles of the market while taking in the smells of roasted nuts, fresh pretzels, bratwurst, and hot, spiced wine, listening to holiday music play in the background, and gazing at all the sparkling Christmas ornaments - this is the true, Christkindlmarket experience.
Guests can explore all the vendors’ products from all around the world that feature everything from traditional items like nutcrackers and beer steins to everything in between. And once you are done shopping, you may catch yourself watching one of the many performances that take place throughout the season.
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Ready to start a new tradition or continue on an old one? Ready to make memories that you will never forget? How about collect a souvenir boot mug and get into the holiday spirit?
Here’s everything you need to know about the Christkindlmarket Chicago.
What is Christkindlmarket Chicago?
Christkindlmarket Chicago is an annual Christmas market inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, which began in 1545.
"A Christkindlmarket is a traditional holiday market that you will find all throughout Europe; and it's an outdoor market, so come ready for the weather, especially here in Chicago,” said Maren Biester Priebe, CEO of German American Events. “There are vendors that sell everything from wears and unique artisan gift items to food, drink, and of course, the Glühwein - the hot, spiced wine, and I would like to say, traditional German foods - over 70 different menu items are offered here.”
History of the Christkindlmarket
The Christkindlmarket Chicago was first conceptualized in 1995 when The German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest Inc. (GACC Midwest) was seeking alternative ways to promote bilateral trade between the USA and Germany, according to the Christkindlmarket website. Peter Flatzek, former Vice President of GACC Midwest, and Ray Lotter, then Manager of Commercial Services for GACC Midwest, initiated the partnership with city officials of Nuremberg, Germany. Mr. Lotter invited companies from Germany and the Chicago area to participate in the first Christkindlmarket Chicago in 1996. The market was an instant success.
The inaugural event took place on Pioneer Court in 1996 for the first time. By special invitation of former Mayor Richard M. Daley, the Christkindlmarket Chicago moved to Daley Plaza in 1997 and has become a staple event on the plaza ever since.
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The Folklore. Who is Christkind? Who is Krampus?
"Christkind is actually, in my world, is my Santa Claus, so she or he - it's not determined - comes on the 24th. You never get to see the Christkind, but you hear a bell ring and then you know gifts are waiting for you,” Biester Priebe said.
She is the namesake of the Christkindlmarket Chicago. According to the market’s website, the Christkind folklore dates back to the 1500s and stems from traditional customs: Parades during the holiday season were guided by one “grand” angel, the Christkind. Since then, and still today, the Christkind is the bearer of gifts to most children in German speaking countries, much like Santa Claus is in the United States
“And Krampus is an Austrian tradition and is usually an accompaniment that scares children into being nice and not naughty,” Biester Priebe said.
You don’t want to know what happens to naughty children.
When is Christkindlmarket Chicago?
Christkindlmarket Chicago takes place from Friday, Nov. 19 through Friday, Dec. 24. The market is open daily, Sundays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The market will have special hours on Thanksgiving, Nov. 25 and Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where is Christkindlmarket Chicago?
Christkindlmarket Chicago takes over the entirety of Daley Plaza (between Dearborn, Washington and Clark Street).
How much does Christkindlmarket Chicago cost?
Admission to the Christkindlmarket is always free, but remember to bring cash, as some vendors only accept cash.
Shopping at Christkindlmarket Chicago. What are some of the top “buys” for guests?
Separating itself from the retail world, the Christkindlmarket Chicago offers visitors a unique holiday shopping experience. Over 60 percent of the vendors are from Germany.
"You have traditional items here like the nutcrackers, and you have beer steins, and then of course, you have literally everything in between for everyone's wallet size, so that's the nice part,” Biester Priebe said. “And definitely the food! I love the food - potato pancakes, bratwursts, pretzels, roasted nuts - you can't miss it, because you can smell them all throughout the market, it's amazing.”
Other items include hand-blown, painted ornaments, toys for all ages, jewelry, clothing, home décor, and more. Some vendors even demonstrate how their handicrafts are made at the market, for example, a wood carver demonstrates his unique carving technique and visitors can purchase his creations directly from the workbench.
As Biester Priebe mentioned, some of the most popular items offered are the large assortment of savory and sweet foods, drinks and candied treats. Guests are easily tempted by the smells of sausages, potato pancakes, Strudel, and many other delicacies throughout the market.
But one of the “hottest” items - both literally and figuratively - is the Glühwein, a traditional German holiday market hot spiced wine. Guests were lined up outside the market on opening day waiting to have their first cup of the spiced wine. And it’s not just because they love the taste, the wine is served in a special, 25th Anniversary souvenir flute mug!
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Food & Drink at Christkindlmarket Chicago
There are over 70 different menu items offered at the market. The food and drink are exactly what you’d expect from a German market with options like different sausages, potato pancakes, goulash, and more.
So what is the favorite?
"I think it is a top 10 almost, but I am not going to list them all. But I think what I hear the most is definitely the potato pancakes, because it's that part of the tradition if you will,” Biester Priebe said.
“But then there's also something unique here or there that our vendors serve. We have vegan options. We have curried options, which may not sound very typical European, but it actually is. And then we have everything in between with sweets and treats and I can only recommend also the chocolate dipped fruit - one of my favorites.”
Stammtisch indoor dining returns!
Another popular tradition returning to the Chicago market in 2021 is the Stammtisch indoor dining. Visitors can reserve tables for up to eight people and choose from different food and drink packages that will be served family-style in the heated Timber Haus.
What’s new?
For the 25th Anniversary, the Christkindlmarket Chicago is releasing a special anniversary flute-shaped mug. The mug’s flute shape, last seen in 2013, has always been popular due to it being easy to hold and drink out of. Dazzling in a dark emerald green – to match this year’s festive logo – the mug shows a beautiful, colorful, and detailed market scene, as well as the skyline of its home city, Chicago.
Additionally, Peppermint the Penguin – the annual non-alcoholic beverage mug – is back, with a look adjusted to celebrate the 25th Anniversary as well. Dressed in a tuxedo with an emerald green bow tie and collar, Peppermint holds a Chicago flag towel and is ready to party.
Also brand new this year is the release of the first annual Christkindlmarket ornament. The new high-quality souvenir is a specialty glass-blown, hand-painted ornament from Europe, complete with a scene of quaint red and white striped booths, and celebratory fireworks.
The Christkindlmarket is also bringing back its popular gift boxes, which debuted during the Virtual Holiday Market in 2020 and quickly became fan favorites. Visitors will be able to choose from four different specially curated gift boxes this year. They include vendor goodies, the annual ornament, the annual mugs, and much more. Boxes range in price from $49.99 - $99.99.
All these very limited-edition items will be for sale in the Christkindlmarket online shop as well as on-site at the Christkindlmarket Chicago at Daley Plaza and the Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville at Gallagher Way – as long as supplies last.
“We are so excited that we can all be together in person again this year to celebrate our 25th Anniversary and allow our visitors to continue, or start, their mug and ornament collections,” emphasizes CEO & General Manager Maren Biester Priebe.
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Getting There:
The official address of the Christkindlmarket Chicago is 50 W. Washington St., Chicago.
Consider taking public transportation:
Metra Stop: Union Station
CTA Stops:
Blue Line: Washington/Dearborn
Red Line: State/Lake
Green, Purple, Orange, Pink, and Brown: Clark/Lake
Parking:
Please note that there is very limited street or metered parking available around the market. Christkindlmarket recommends booking convenient and affordable parking in advance through SpotHero.
InterPark parking garages also have multiple locations near the Christkindlmarket Chicago. You can also purchase parking in advance with one of their garages.