German version]
Visitors
from all over the world come to the Christkindlmarket Chicago annually and the numbers
continue to grow every year. It is so popular and loved by all that any
Chicagoan will tell you that they could not imagine the city without it.
It is no longer just a German tradition - it has become a Chicago institution.
Families, friends, co-workers, young professionals, suburbanites, city folk
and visitors from all corners of the world enjoy Christkindlmarket Chicago.
The unique shopping experience, the typical German food and drinks, the
diverse holiday entertainment, and a place to enjoy the city during the
winter season, makes this a preferred and popular destination.
[Click on a category
below to easily navigate this page]
Dates & Times 
Directions Hotel Information History & Tradition The Christkindl
The
Vision of Christkindlmarket Chicago
Daily |
Nov. 27th through Dec. 24th 2008 |
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Sneak Peek: |
Nov. 27th (Thanksgiving Day) 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
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Grand Opening: |
Nov. 28 - 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. |
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Last Day: |
Dec. 24th (Christmas Eve) 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.!!!! |
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Opening Times |
||
Sun. - Thurs.: |
11 a.m. - 8 p.m. |
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Fri. + Sat.: |
11 a.m. - 9 p.m. |
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Located on |
Daley Plaza between Washington, Clark & Dearborn Street |
ADMISSION IS FREE!
The market is located on Daley Plaza between Washington, Clark & Dearborn Street.
The official address of Daley Plaza is 50 W. Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602.
Public Transportation
CTA Stops:
Blue Line - Washington/Dearborn CTA
Red Line – Lake CTA
The following links can help you plan your trip from your
starting address:
For your destination address enter: 50 W Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602
Suggested Navigation Sites:
Parking
There is no street or metered parking available around the market. Please visit the following links to find parking garages in the area.
Free Trolley
Navy Pier Trolley (Blue Square)/Downtown Trolley Schedule:
The Holiday Schedule is not yet finalized, however, the most up-to-date schedule information can be found at
No Service Christmas Day!
Airport
O'hare International Airport: (773-686-2200) handles more passengers than any other airport in the world. For visitors needing information or directions, airport information booths are located on the lower levels of the domestic terminals and on the upper and lower levels of the International Terminal. A foreign currency exchange is located on the lower level of the International Terminal. The Airport is located about 13 miles from downtown Chicago. During rush-hour it can take about an hour to drive from the Airport to the city. During the middle of the day and evenings it takes around 30 minutes. Taking a taxi to/from the airport varies depending on travel time from $30-50 from O’Hare.
Midway Airport: (773-838-0600) is located at 5700 Cicero Ave., 20 minutes from downtown Chicago. The one-building airport is divided into three terminals, A, B and C. The main lobby at the airport's center entrance is where the information booth and all vehicle pick-up services are available. It's about 12 miles from Midway to downtown Chicago. During rush-hour, travel time can take about 45 minutes to an hour. During the mid-day and evenings it's around 20-30 minutes. Taking a taxi to/from the airport varies depending on travel time from $25–45 from Midway.
There are many lodging possibilities in the city of Chicago. Visit the website of the Chicago Convention and Visitor Bureau at www.choosechicago.com. Here you can find the best hotel rates and offers in the city. This website also gives you the opportunity to find out more about the great city of Chicago. If you prefer to speak with a Chicago Convention and Visitor Bureau employee in person, you can call 1-877-CHICAGO (1-877-244-2246).
Hotels that are within a half a mile or less walking distance to the market:
Hotel Name |
Address |
Reservations |
Website |
Burnham Hotel |
1 W. Washington Street |
(877) 294-9712 |
|
Allegro |
171 W. Randolph |
(866) 672-6143 |
|
Palmer House Hilton |
17. E. Monroe Street |
(312) 726-7500 |
|
Monaco |
225 N. Wabash |
(866) 610-0081 |
|
Renaissance Chicago |
1 W. Wacker Drive |
(312) 372-0093 |
History & Tradition of the Christkindlmarket Chicago
Inspired by the Christkindlsmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, which began in 1545, the Christkindlmarket Chicago brings a cherished German and European tradition with international flair and local charm to Chicago. Chicago's largest open-air Christmas festival was first held on Pioneer Court in 1996. By special invitation of Mayor Richard M. Daley, Christkindlmarket Chicago moved to Daley Plaza in 1997 and has become a staple event on the plaza ever since. Together with the support of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events (MOSE), Christkindlmarket Chicago has grown to become one of the most popular winter attractions in the heart of the city.
The Christkindlmarket name comes from the myth of the Christkindl who is a fairy-like being, dressed in a gold and white robe with a crown atop her golden locks. The Christkindl is the traditional bearer of gifts to children in German-speaking countries. She is the equivalent of Santa Claus in Germanic culture.
The market has welcomed Nuremberg's former Christkindls to the city of Chicago for the past 12 Christmas seasons. Every year, the Christkindl, who serves as an official representative of the city of Nuremberg, opens the Chicago Christkindlmarket with her famous decree. Her participation in the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony has been a cherished tradition since 1999. The ceremony takes place annually on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day; and it is hosted by the Mayor's Office of Special Events.
The Vision of Christkindlmarket Chicago
The vision of a Christkindlmarket Chicago was first conceptualized in 1995. The German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest Inc. (GACCoM) Consulting Services was seeking alternative ways to promote bilateral trade between the USA and Germany. Peter Flatzek, former Vice President of GACCoM, and Ray Lotter, then Manager of Commercial Services for GACCoM, initiated the partnership with the 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 and contriues to flourish.
Popular from the very beginning, the two-week long Christmas extravaganza attracted more than 300,000 visitors in the first year. In 1997, Christkindlmarket Chicago became a four-week long event and the number of visitors quickly rose to over 500,000. Today, Christkindlmarket Chicago is the largest and most renowned German winter holiday market in the United States attracting visitors from the Chicagoland area, the rest of the country and from around the world.
The Christkindlmarket Chicago is the perfect place for teachers and professors of the German language to bring their students. At the market, students get to experience authenitc German traditions without having to travel any farther than the city of Chicago. The students will also have the opportunity to practice their language skills at the market with numerous German speaking vendors. Approximately 70% of the market's vendors speak German as well as English. Several educational activities for students visiting the market include: scavenger hunts, interviews with vendors, or even singing German holiday songs for all to enjoy. From Kindergartners to graduate students the message is loud and clear: The Christkindlmarket is fun, fun, fun!
