Christkindlmarket Chicago 2024

This joyful holiday festival attracts about 1 million visitors every season. The history of Christkindlmarket dates back to 1996 when the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest first held this festival on Pioneer Court. The inspiration came from Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, which has been known since 1545.

Christkindlmarket Chicago Events and Activities

The Market's highlight used to be the city's largest Christmas tree and a small nativity scene. But some time ago, the official Chicago Christmas tree was moved to Millenium Park. The market still has a smaller one.

The fair hosts Christmas choirs, folk dance groups, and live bands. There is also a Santa house and plenty of vendors selling toys, holiday ornaments, and Christmas decor. Vendors sell goods and foods from Germany, Ukraine, and Austria. Christkindlmarket is loved for its souvenir mugs and German food like sausages, sauerkraut, and potato pancakes.

Christkindlmarket is famous for European traditions and international flair. The Chicago Loop's outdoor market is a family tradition for many Chicagoans who could not imagine Christmas without it.

Opening Hours and Location

Christkindlmarket operates from Sunday through Thursday from 11 am to 8 pm, and from Friday through Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm. On Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, the event runs from 11 am to 4 pm. In the morning and early afternoon, weekdays are generally a little less bustling than weekends. Christkindlmarket is held every year at Daley Plaza in Chicago.

History

Since 1996, German American Events, LLC, a subsidiary of the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, has hosted Christkindlmarket Chicago to celebrate the Christmas season in a European style, featuring both international and local vendors. In 2023, the event reached record visitor numbers of over 2 million attendees. In 2023, the event set a record with over 2 million attendees. Christkindlmarket Chicago was also named one of the best Christmas markets in 2022, ranked third globally and first outside of Europe by Big 7 Travel.