Chicagoans look forward to many popular winter events every holiday season and residents are fortunate to live near one of the most cherished in the city, Christkindlmarket.
The 22nd annual Christkindlmarket is an outdoor annual holiday market inspired by the village shops in Nuremberg, Germany. Set up at the Daley Plaza, guests can browse goods from worldly vendors and stay warm by indulging in plenty of German goodies while amidst the architectural atmosphere.
Market Buys
This year, attendees can shop among unique ornaments, seasonal apparel, nutcrackers, cuckoo clocks, and other holiday trinkets. Patrons can also find toys, apparel, jewelry, hand-carved wooden figurines, Christkindlmarket souvenirs, and more.
A noteworthy vendor setting up shop at the market is Frank’s Ornament House. This family-owned business in Lauscha, Thuringia, Germany, creates traditional handmade glass ornaments. Some eye-catching items include a Chicago bean ornament with the Chicago skyline painted on and dessert-based ornaments including a cupcake with frosting. Frank’s also makes ornaments shaped like fruits and vegetables, food and drinks, cars and trains, and more.
Another vendor distributing at the market is Winterbourne Alpaca. This shop was founded as a collaboration between Canadian designers and South American master weavers in Ecuador. Using premium Andean alpaca fleece, Winterbourne Alpaca sells beautifully hand-woven scarves, shawls, ponchos, socks, blankets, and plush stuffed animals. This fair-trade company ensures ethical buying methods and top quality products.
Eats & Drinks
Guests will find it hard not to indulge in the variety of delicious German food available as the smell of potato pancakes, frankfurter sausages, hot cocoa, spiced wine, chocolates, and more float around the plaza.
Whether it’s goulash soup at the Schnitzel House, Bratwursts and Currywurst at Traditional German Food, or baked cheese at the Baked Cheese Haus, attendees will certainly enjoy German cuisine.
Along with famous stollen (German holiday cake) at Dinkel’s Bakery, savory strudels and puffs at Helmut’s original Austrian Strudel, marzipan candy at Sweet Swabian, and more, there are various sweets and treats to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth.
Event Details
The Christkindlmarket will be open to the public from November 16th until December 24th at the Daley Plaza, between Dearborn, Washington, and Clark Street.
The event will be open daily Sun-Thurs 11am-8pm, Fri – Sat 11am-9pm.
Admission is always free.
Jenna Bishop 