ChristKindlemarket Chicago: A Decade-Old Holiday Tradition You Don’t Want to Miss
Every year, people from all across the country come to Chicago to visit the now famous ChristKindlemarket Chicago– the beloved, German-themed holiday event that lights up The Loop at Daley Plaza. The outdoor market isn’t just a German tradition, however. It has become an integral part of the holiday season in Chicago.
ChristKindlemarket Chicago
When: November 18 – December 24, 2016
Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: The Loop at Daley Plaza
50 W Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602
The ChristKindlemarket Chicago is such a unique shopping experience. It’s filled with all kinds of holiday entertainment, the delectable sights and tastes of traditional foods and drinks, the delicious smells of candied nuts floating throughout the city, and the excitement of seeing Christkind, the girl who hands out gifts to passersby. It’s fun for the whole family, and if that’s not enticing enough, there’s just something so charming about seeing Daley Plaza all decked out for the market and holidays; it’s truly a sight to behold.
For two decades now, Chicago’s largest open-air Christmas festival has brought cherished German and European traditions to the windy city, adding a bit of local charm during the holidays and a lot of international flair. Inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany that began in 1545, this Chicago institution has been running since 1996 when it was first held on Pioneer Court.
Today, it is an enchanting and inviting holiday village that sits perfectly nestled in the heart of downtown. The Christkindlmarket is well-known for its vendors’ high quality gifts, foods, holiday cheer, and for being the ideal place for families to create their own holiday traditions.
Speaking of families, Christkind will once again make appearances at this year’s event. The Christkind is a fairy-like being dressed head-to-toe in gold and white with a crown that sits atop her golden hair. She is the namesake of the Christkindlmarket tradition. Christkind folklore dates all the way back to the 1500’s, stemming from traditional customs and parades during the holiday season where one “grand” angel guided the festivities. Today, she is still the bearer of gifts to children in German speaking countries, just as Santa Claus is, here in the United States.
This year she will again be present on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2-4 p.m. throughout the entire duration of the market. Those young and young at heart will have the opportunity to meet and greet the Christkind and take pictures with her as she roams about the market sharing some German holiday traditions and telling Christmas stories. She will also be a part of the Grand Opening Ceremony, where she will recite her prologue that has been translated from the original German ceremony to welcome everyone to the Christkindlmarket Chicago.
Getting There
While admission is free, getting to the market can be a bit tricky. We recommend taking public transit, if possible, as parking can be tough to come by. If you do plan to drive there, the market’s coordinators suggest reserving your parking in advance with SpotHero. We also recommend wearing sensible, comfortable shoes, as there is a lot of walking around at the Christkindlmarket Chicago.
For more event information and scheduled activities, visit: http://www.christkindlmarket.com.
We hope you take full advantage of all of the fun-filled Chicago festivities this holiday season and can’t wait to see you out there!
