Christmas markets around the world: The Chicago Christmas Markets

The loveliest Christmas market in the USA will open in Chicago Christmas Markets.  November 23 at Daley – it will be opened by the Nuremberg Christmas himself. Here you can find out how the Christmas markets came to Chicago and how you can get there last minute.

If there weren’t skyscrapers all around Daley Plaza, you would have the feeling of being at a Christmas market somewhere in Germany. The ” Chicago Christmas markets “, which is based on its famous Nuremberg model, attract over a million visitors to the metropolis on Lake Michigan every year.

A Christmas market in the USA?

The Christmas markets were brought into being in 1996 by the German-American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, its subsidiary German American Services, which was founded specifically for this purpose, and the city of Nuremberg with the idea of ​​promoting bilateral trade between the USA and Germany.

 More than half of the exhibitors travel directly from Germany with their Christmas articles and delicacies.

So it’s not surprising that more German than English was spoken at Daley Plaza in the city’s heart for four weeks. There are also lively discussions in German in front of the wooden houses.

The Christmas market is a popular destination for young Americans who learn German as a foreign language not only at the Goethe Institute in Chicago but also in many schools. After all, Chicago was one of the strongholds of German immigrants in the 19th century. Other exhibitors come from Israel, Nepal, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, Poland, and Ukraine. 

Mulled wine, stollen, Nuremberg gingerbread, and carvings from the Ore Mountains

For many Americans, the Nuremberg Christmas market is the epitome of a German Christmas market. Even if they have never visited the original themselves, they have heard of the most famous German Christmas market, and since there is a copy of it in their own country, tens of thousands of visitors from all states come to the Midwest metropolis between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Especially popular are the German delicacies at the snack bars with Nuremberg bratwurst, meatloaf, potato pancakes, and of course the German beer and the original Nuremberg mulled wine, which is served in boot-shaped cups specially created for the Christmas market.

Entertainment program at the Chicago Christmas markets

No “German Christmas Market” without brass bands and children’s choirs! Glen Sorgatz and The Alpine Brass will provide Christmas music with their repertoire of German and American Christmas carols. There are also guest appearances by various choirs.

On St. Nicholas Day, for example, the choir of the Chicago Waldorf School will sing German Christmas carols, on December 10th the choir of the First United Methodist Church, and on December 15th the madrigal group “Pippins”. 

On December 9th, the popular Chicago Christmas musical “The Christmas Schooner” has a guest appearance. Younger visitors don’t miss out either, as the Annual Children’s Lantern Parade takes place on December 9th at 4 pm.

Companies can also reserve part of the marquee to organize Christmas parties in a relaxed atmosphere according to their wishes.

Chicago Christmas markets

take place every year at Daley Plaza in Chicago. This joyous holiday festival attracts around 1 million visitors each season. The history of the Christmas market dates back to 1996 when the German-American Midwest Chamber of Commerce first hosted this festival at Pioneer Court.

The inspiration came from the Christmas market in Nuremberg, which has been known since 1545.The highlight of the market used to be the city’s largest Christmas tree and a small nativity scene. But some time ago, Chicago’s official Christmas tree was moved to Millennium Park. The market has an even smaller one.

. There’s also a Santa house and many vendors selling toys, holiday ornaments, and Christmas decor. Manufacturers sell goods and groceries from Germany, Ukraine, and Austria. Christmas market is loved for its souvenir mugs and German fares like sausages, sauerkraut, and potato pancakes.

Christmas market is famous for European traditions and international flair. The Chicago Loop’s outdoor market is a family tradition for many Chicagoans who couldn’t imagine Christmas without it.

A wintry Christmas village in the heart of Chicago

For the 26th time, a German tradition has enchanted the metropolis of Lake Michigan.

The tradition of the Christmas market has crept into the hearts of Chicagoans. The Christkindlmarket Chicago annually attracts visitors from Chicago, the nation, and around the world to experience a bit of German coziness.

For many years, German American Events, LLC has been organizing what is traditionally the largest Christmas market outside of Germany in Chicago. This year, from November 18th to December 24th, 2022, you are invited to immerse yourself in an enchanting Christmas world amid Chicago’s skyscrapers. 

The market in Chicago is based on one of the oldest German Christmas markets, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt. The Chicago Christkindlmarket celebrated its premiere in 1996 on a joint initiative of the German-American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest (AHK USA-Chicago) and its subsidiary German American Events, LLC.

which was founded specifically for this purpose and the city of Nuremberg. Since then, the Christ Child has also announced his prologue in English at the opening of the market in Chicago every year.

Exhibitors from Germany and all over the world are traveling to Chicago again this year to offer their unique products and specialties. In over 50 stands they present a remarkable selection of delicacies such as Stollen and the famous Nuremberg Lebkuchen, as well as a wide range of Christmas decorations, wooden toys, and clothing, as well as traditional beer mugs, nutcrackers, and cuckoo clocks.

Of course, German delicacies are also provided at the snack bars with Nuremberg bratwurst, meatloaf, potato pancakes, and cool German beer. What would a Christmas market be without mulled wine? In Chicago, too, you can warm your heart and hands during the Advent season with real Nuremberg Christkindlesmulled wine – of course from stylish mulled wine cups specially created for the Christkindlmarket Chicago.

A varied entertainment program with brass bands, children’s choirs, and dance groups as well as a lantern procession brings fun and joy to the whole family. Since 2012, young visitors have also had the opportunity to explore the market on their own with the “Children’s Club” and learn more about German Christmas traditions. 

Companies and organizations have the option of reserving part of the marquee for Christmas receptions and celebrations or organizing business meetings in an informal atmosphere according to their wishes.

Christmas in Chicago

is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. On Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve, the market is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the Christkindlmarket Chicago is always free.

Become part of this experience and get your first impressions now virtually at www.christkindlmarket.com or speak to us personally at (+1) 312.494.2175.