READ TIME 4 MIN – That special time of the year is fast approaching: The Millenium Park Christmas tree is glistening, the Thanksgiving Day Parade marches down Michigan Avenue, and the Christkindlmarket opens its doors once again for another season of Gluehwein, bratwurst and holiday cheer. With over 25 years of history, the Christkindlmarket is a holiday staple in the Chicago area and will be returning this year with three locations across Chicago and the suburbs.
This year, the Christkindlmarket will be welcoming visitors in Chicago, Aurora and Wrigleyville where they can enjoy the authentic German-style holiday markets and find international as well as local food and merchandise from new and returning vendors. And of course, you can purchase our beloved souvenir mug and Christkindlmarket merchandise at all three admission-free locations.
The Christkindlmarket Aurora will be turning RiverEdge Park into a Winter Wonderland, with shine and sparkle wherever you look, and parking opportunities just across the street from the market.
What is new at our suburban Christkindlmarket in 2023?
This year we will be kicking off the Aurora Christkindlmarket with a special keg tapping event with our partners Bitburger and Erdinger on November 18th.
We are excited to increase our sitemap and host more than 50 vendors at RiverEdge Park in 2023. Those include staples like Sweet Castle and Kaethe Wohlfahrt but also plenty of new ones, unique to our suburban market! Get excited to try international foods like German Flammkuchen and Belgian Poffertjes, and find special gifts such as handcrafted German wooden figurines and paper star lanterns.
We will have new interactive, festive photo opportunities and scavenger hunts that are unique to the Christkindlmarket Aurora. We don’t want to spoil too much yet, but be assured that those young and young at heart are going to love it!
Visitors will be able to participate in special ticketed events like the Lantern Parade with the Christkind. We will announce all Aurora events at the end of September!
Open Thursdays through Sundays, with special hours the week leading up to Christmas, you can enhance your trip to the suburbs by enjoying a stroll through Downtown Aurora and the Paramount Theatre. From November 8, 2023 – January, 2024 Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be playing. When you arrive at Paramount, you’ll be greeted in their Grand Gallery, transformed into a Christmas wonderland with a two-story fully decorated tree.
If you are looking for hotels in Aurora, check out our hotel page for special deals.
The iconic Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza returns to its rightful place in the heart of Chicago. Established in 1996, this traditional market embodies the essence of the holiday season. More than 55 vendors, some with us since the very beginning, will showcase a diverse range of international food and handcrafted holiday gifts from our signature red and white striped wooden booths. Prepare your taste buds for bratwurst, pretzels, potato pancakes, and don’t forget to indulge in imported German beverages.
The Christkindlmarket wouldn’t be the Christkindlmarket without authentic German beer. Bitburger and Köstrizer are back by popular demand, and we are thrilled to introduce Erdinger Weissbier and Erdinger Brauhaus Helles as this year’s official beers of the Christkindlmarket Chicago.
Join us as we celebrate this year’s grand opening at Daley Plaza with ceremonial keg tappings with Bitburger and Erdinger at our ‘Twas the Night before Christkindlmarket Preview Event. If you want to experience the Christkindlmarket Chicago before the official opening, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to receive an alert as soon as tickets for the Preview Party go on sale!
Looking for the perfect place to enhance your visit with a cozy stay at a hotel close to the market? Check out our hotel partners Staypineapple Chicago, The Gwen Hotel, Aloft Chicago Magnificent Mile and Allegro Royal Sonesta. You can find more information and special deals on our Chicago Hotel Partners Page.
Discover a different side of the Christkindlmarket in Wrigleyville, located at Gallagher Way. This vibrant location offers a modern twist on the traditional holiday market. Its location makes the Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville easily accessible by public transportation and gives visitors the opportunity to explore one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Chicago with holiday-themed bars and restaurants.
We are excited to announce that the Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville is expanding even more and will host more than 40 different vendors. From international sweets, to savory dishes and unique handmade gifts – you will be able to experience all that on your market stroll. Longtime favorites will be returning as well as exciting new vendors who offer international cuisine such as Tartiflette, Lángos, Hawaiian poke and more.
The Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville is part of the Winterland at Gallagher Way. This year’s programming will offer guests more family-friendly activities and new interactive experiences, along with returning favorites, including the Gallagher Ice Rink, returning inside the iconic ballpark. To learn more about Gallagher Way and Winterland please visit www.gallagherway.com or follow @gallagherwaychi.
Want to stay super close to the market and even see it from your hotel room? Check out our hotel partner Hotel Zachary.
Do you want to learn more about our different locations and be one of the first to receive alerts about special events and more?
Share:
