Of all the city’s Christmas traditions, there are few that vy with Christkindlmarket.
By far one of the most anticipated holiday activities in Chicago, Christkindlmarket is considered the best Christmas market in North America, and the third best in the world.
The popular German-style outdoor market has become a staple event in the city and has grown into one of Chicago’s biggest tourist attractions of the festive season drawing over 1 million visitors each year.
Both international and local vendors have flocked to help provide an authentic and atmospheric Christmas experience every year since it first came to the city in 1996. Now, Chicagoans and tourists alike can once again enjoy mulled wine, holiday snacks, and festive music at three different locations.
Marking the 27th year in Chicago, Christkindlmarket returned to Daley Plaza, Wrigleyville’s Gallagher Way, and west suburban Aurora on Friday, November 17th.
Both Chicago’s Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza and Aurora’s Christkindlmarket will run through to Sunday, December 24th while Gallagher Ways outdoor market will carry on for another week through to Sunday, December 31st, 2023.
“All Christkindlmarkets are always admission-free. The smell of roasted nuts, fresh pretzels, bratwurst, and hot spiced wine, the sound of festive music, and the glimmer of sparkling Christmas ornaments, all in a cozy atmosphere – a visit to the market takes all your senses on a journey!” reads the Christkindlemarket official release.
In addition to a different souvenir mug at each location, this year features the annual market’s first beer stein. Also new this year, though the market remains free, people can purchase a fast entry pass which allows them to skip the line and guarantees a souvenir mug waiting for them when they arrive.
Here are the dates and times for each location:
Chicago Downtown
Address: Daley Plaza, 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
Dates: November 17 – December 24
Times:
Sunday through Thursday: 11 am – 8 pm
Friday through Saturday: 11 am – 9 pm
Special Opening Hours:
Thanksgiving (November 23): 11 am – 4 pm
Christmas Eve (December 24): 11 am – 4 pm
Chicago Wrigleyville
Address: Gallagher Way, 3635 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613
Dates: November 17 – December 31
Hours:
Monday through Thursday: 3 pm – 9 pm
Friday through Saturday: 11 am – 10 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 7 pm
Special Opening Hours:
Thanksgiving (November 23): 11 am – 4 pm
Christmas Eve (December 24): 11 am – 4 pm
Christmas Day (December 25): CLOSED
December 26 through December 28: 11 am – 9 pm
New Year’s Eve (December 31): 11 am – 4 pm
Aurora
Address: RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora, IL 60505
Dates: November 17 – December 24
Hours:
Thursday: 11 am – 7 pm
Friday through Saturday: 11 am – 9 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 6 pm
Special Opening Hours:
Thanksgiving (November 23): 11 am – 4 pm
December 18 through December 20: 11 am – 7 pm
Christmas Eve (December 24): 11 am – 4 pm
More information can be found at christkindlmarket.com.
[Featured image from Shutterstock]