Enjoy a German-style Christmas at Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza

Make sure to set some time aside this month to visit Chicago's Christkindlmarket, the German open-air Christmas market inspired by one in Nuremberg, Germany, which began in 1545.  It's a fun way to celebrate the season, and you can find some Christmas gifts there that you won't find anywhere else in Chicago.

You can buy handcrafted wooden and handblown glass painted ornaments, hand carved cuckoo clocks from Germany’s Black Forest region, beer steins, traditional nutcrackers, and other beautiful items made by German artisans.  Most of the companies at the market are from Germany, and their products are authentically German.

There’s also plenty of German food to enjoy.  Schnitzel, potato pancakes, sausages, and sauerkraut are popular German dishes that you buy at Christkindlmarket.  Try the Swabian fruit fritters topped with whipped cream and cinnamon from Sweet Christmas Delights, one of this year’s new vendors.  And don’t miss the hot chocolate at Dinkel’s Bakery booth; they use real chocolate from their bakery - no Swiss Miss there.  You’ll also want to try a Christkindlmarket favorite, hot spiced wine, as well as German beer.

In addition to great German food and products, you can enjoy holiday entertainment, including the Children's Lanterns Parade on Friday, Dec. 3, carolers, a number of adult and children’s choirs, and instrumental groups.

While there, take time to enjoy Chicago's 70 ft. Chrismas tree.  If you're bringing children, make sure to stop by Santa's house where the kids can visit give Santa Clause their wish list.

Christkindlmarket will be open through Christmas Eve in Daley Plaza (

50 W Washington Street

).  The hours are Sunday – Thursday 11am-8pm and Friday-Saturday 11am-9pm (closes at 4pm on Christmas Eve).

Entertainment schedule

Map of food vendors 

Map of non-food vendors  

You can also follow me on Facebook at the “Chicago Cultural Events” community page.