Event and Entertainment Description
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Chicago's 98th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, November 23, 4:15pm
The City of Chicago and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) are proud to present the official start of the holiday season with the 98th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Musical performances and festive holiday music begin at 4:15pm and the holiday season officially commences at 5:00pm, when the switch is flipped and the lights begin to dazzle on Daley Plaza. For more information, please visit www.explorechicago.org/specialevents.
McDonald's® Thanksgiving Parade
McDonald's® Thanksgiving Parade, November 24, 8:00-11:00am.
Come to State Street and see the 78th McDonald's® Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago. Cheer to the Christkind, marching bands, Ronald McDonald®, Santa Claus and many more. The Parade starts at 8:00am on November 24 and is live on WGN. For more information, please visit www.chicagofestivals.org.
Right after the parade, head on over to Daley Plaza to meet the Christkind, take pictures with her, and see what this year's market has to offer. On Thanksgiving Day, the market will close at 4 PM.
The University of Chicago Laboratory School Jingle Bells Choir
The University of Chicago Laboratory School Jingle Bells Choir, December 2, 12:00pm
The Jingle Bells Choir of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools is made up of students of their third and fourth grade classes. The choir is under the direction of Annette Steinbarth and Susanne Pralle. For more information about the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, please visit www.ucls.uchicago.edu.
The Chicago Waldorf School Choir
The Chicago Waldorf School Choir, December 6, 12:30pm
The Chicago Waldorf School Choir, which consists of 5th and 7th grade students, is performing German Christmas carols on St. Nicholas‘ Day. Chicago Waldorf School students learn two foreign languages, German and Spanish, starting in 1st grade and have performed at the Christkindlmarket on Daley Plaza in the past. For more information, please visit http://www.chicagowaldorf.org/.
THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER
THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER, December 9, 12:00pm
THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER is based on a beloved Chicago story. The ‘Rouse Simmons’, a Great Lakes schooner, was known as “The Christmas Tree Ship.” Its captain risked life and limb to transport fir trees from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Chicago's German immigrants during the late 19th century. A timely and stirring tale of love and loss, THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER reminds us of tradition, and our responsibility to celebrate the living while honoring our heritage.
A favorite musical tradition for many years, this all-new production is helmed by the award winning team of L. Walter Stearns (director), Eugene Dizon (musical director) and Brenda Didier (choreographer).It has been called “a grand family tradition” by the Chicago Tribune. The Chicago Sun-Times raved, “A touching slice of life that is an inheritance to be treasured.”
In addition to the performance on Christkindlmarket on December 9 at noon, THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER brings holiday cheer to the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), from November 16 through December 31, 2011. The press opening will be on Monday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m.
For tickets and information contact the Mercury Theater at 773-325-1700 or http://www.mercurytheaterchicago.com/.
Lantern Parade
The Lantern Parade, December 9, 4:00pm
The German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, Inc. (GACCoM) together with the Christkindlmarket Chicago presents the Annual Children's Lantern Parade. Bring your family to the Christkindlmarket Chicago for an exciting German children's lantern parade. The lantern parade is patterned after the German St. Martin tradition that celebrates Samaritan deeds. At the parade, the children will illuminate the Christkindlmarket with their colorful lanterns while singing German and American Christmas carols.
When: Friday, December 9, 2011
Time: 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Location: Christkindlmarket Chicago (Daley Plaza)
Program: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Lantern pick-up; 5:00 - 5:30 pm - Parade
Cost: $12 Members; $15 Non-Members; $5 for children bringing their own lantern
YOU MUST REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE! Click here to register or write an Email to rehbein(at)gaccom.org.
Don't miss out on this great opportunity to share one of Germany's nicest holiday traditions with your family.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
The Temple Choir of First United Methodist Church
The Temple Choir, December 10, 2:00pm
Led by eight section leaders, the 35-voice Temple Choir continues to grow. The choir learns and sings music from all eras of music history and from many of the world’s cultures that is appropriate for both the season and the liturgy of the day. Their repertoire is vast and worldly, and they sing in many languages. For more information, please visit the choir's website at http://chicagotemple.org/programs/music/.
Additional to the performance on the Christkindlmarket Chicago, the Temple Choir of First United Methodist Church choir is going to present the famous Czech Christmas Mass by Jakub Jan Ryba for two performances. The first is Saturday, December 17 at 7:30pm in the sanctuary at First United Methodist Church, 77 West Washington. The second performance is December 18 at 3pm. Tickets will only be $10.
Four Winds Waldorf School Choir
The four winds Waldorf School Choir, December 15, 1:30pm
The Four Winds Waldorf School Choir performs German Christmas songs at the Christkindlmarket Chicago. The Choir consists of school kids in fourth and fifth grade. The students learn German and Spanish from first grade on. For further information please visit www.fourwindswaldorf.org.
The Pippins
The Pippins, December 15, 6:30pm
The Pippins are an amateur group of madrigal singers. They are associated with the Medieval and Renaissance re-creation organization, the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA).
The singing group has a diverse repertoire of a capella music from the 16th century and earlier. Their favorite pieces include Italian madrigals, 13th century French motets, and English rounds and carols. We enjoy performing, and have sung at SCA events, local community gatherings and the Bristol Renaissance Faire.
If you would like to contact the Pippins for more information, to request a performance or to join (they are always looking for new members who enjoy singing), please contact Jennifer Small (Mistress Gianetta) by email: jenrsmall@yahoo.com
For more information about the SCA, visit http://www.scademo.com/
Lincoln Way West High School
Lincoln Way West High School, December 23, 5:30pm
The Madrigal Singers of Lincoln-Way West High School consist of auditioned 9-12th grade students. Each December, these students perform our annual Madrigal Dinner and Festival. Continuing a tradition that has been a part of the New Lenox area for over 40 years, our performers feature some of the most popular and beloved madrigals and carols from the 16th century through today. Attired in period costume, these vocalists will share selections from their 2011 program with you at the market. For more information, please check out their website at http://www.lwwmb.org
The Canterburry Carollers
Canterbury Carollers is a Victorian caroling ensemble located in the Chicago Metropolitan area. They will perform with a glorious arrangement of traditional carols - all written before 1870.
Attired in authentic period costume, the group is a live tableau of Victorian England and its strolling carolers. Their perfectly blended a cappella harmonies will transform any gathering into a celebration people will talk about for Christmases to come.
The Canterbury Carollers have been singing together around Chicagoland since 1987.
For more information, please visit www.canterburycarollers.com.
The Seelie Players
The Seelie Players are thrilled to bring their enchanted angel statues to Christkindlmarket this holiday season. With great control and subtlety of movement, these talented performance artists will mesmerize the crowd and leave you wondering, "Are they real?"
For more information, please visit http://www.theseelieplayers.com/.
Glen Sorgatz and the Alpine Brass
Glen Sorgatz and The Alpine Brass have been appearing annually at the Christkindlmarket.
Their repertoire includes holiday favorites as well as German carols and folkmusic performed with a brass flair.
Glen Sorgatz Trio
The Glen Sorgatz Trio is a "crowd-pleaser" with their lively and spirited arrangements of traditional German music and holiday sing-alongs.
7th annual Consumer Travel Show
Saturday, December 10 11am-2pm
Plan your next vacation to Germany at the Christkindlmarket! The German National Tourist Office and its vendors will be handling out brochures, maps, destination travel information, and much more.
The following companies are participating:
