Cheers to 30 years! Christkindlmarket debuts its 2026 collectible collection

If you’re a Christkindlmarket fan and collector, then you will love this news! The Christkindlmarket is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a new collection of commemorative mugs, festive merchandise and a few surprises that are sure to catch the eye of longtime collectors and holiday shoppers alike.

The 2026 collection honors three decades of holiday traditions with special anniversary designs, the return of popular favorites and a brand-new miniature keepsake. Whether you have been collecting the annual mugs for years or are planning your first visit, there will be plenty of reasons to stop by the merchandise booths this season.

The star of the collection is the 30th Anniversary Annual Mug, a 200ml design featuring a new flute-inspired silhouette finished in pearl white, a traditional symbol of a 30th anniversary. Festive market artwork and fireworks celebrating the milestone complete the design. The mug is $10 empty and can also be purchased with hot beverages, including Glühwein for guests 21 and older.

Another eye-catching addition is the Non-Alcoholic Tree Mug, a 200ml Christmas tree-shaped design in rich holiday green. Its garland features miniature versions of past annual Christkindlmarket ornaments, making it a particularly appealing keepsake for collectors. It is $10 empty and can also be purchased with hot non-alcoholic beverages from participating vendors.

Beer lovers will find a new take on a familiar favorite with the 30th Anniversary Beer Stein. The returning 0.5-liter collectible has a taller silhouette inspired by the annual mug, a Christmas-tree-green finish and colorful artwork featuring a market scene, skyline details, pretzels and gingerbread hearts. It is $20 empty and can also be filled with beer for guests 21 and older.

New this year is a 40ml Shot Cup, a miniature souvenir stein designed to resemble a traditional beer stein. It features the Christkindlmarket logo on one side and a classic market booth on the other. The new collectible is $7.

The 2026 Annual Ornament is another special anniversary keepsake. Handmade in Poland, the $42 limited-edition ornament is glass-blown and hand-painted, with a snow globe-inspired design featuring the Christkind and a decorated Christmas tree, along with special 30th anniversary details.

For those who would rather bring a little of the market home to share, the 2026 Gift Box includes both 2026 collectible mugs and a curated assortment of products from market vendors. Mittens, hot chocolate, Glühwein spices, chocolates and more are included in the $120 box. It can be pre-ordered online for shipping throughout the continental United States or reserved online for pickup at any of the three market locations. Bulk orders are also available for company and client gifts.

Returning favorites include the Krampus Stuffie, back with a slightly darker look, fuzzy ear tufts, sewn-in hooves and its signature fluffy coat. Priced at $28, it is the same size as last year's version, allowing collectors to mix and match.

The Christkindlmarket enamel pins are also back after selling out last season. This year's four new designs feature Krampus, “Bratitude,” a classic Christkindlmarket booth and a special 30th anniversary design. Each pin is $7. A custom Christkindlmarket magnet, featuring a German-inspired festival hall scene and market banner, rounds out the collection at $10.

“For 30 years, our mugs and collectibles have become part of the holiday traditions our visitors create at the Christkindlmarket,” said Maren Biester Priebe, CEO and General Manager of German American Events, LLC. “This anniversary collection celebrates those memories while giving our longtime collectors and new visitors something special to take home from this milestone season.”

All 2026 merchandise will be available at the information and merchandise booths at the three market locations: Daley Plaza in Chicago, RiverEdge Park in Aurora and Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville. Quantities are limited, and items will be available while supplies last.

The anniversary collection is part of a milestone year for the Christkindlmarket, which has brought German-American holiday traditions to Chicago for three decades. Modeled after the classic Christmas market in Nuremberg, Germany, the free outdoor markets feature candy cane-striped huts, international and local vendors, handcrafted ornaments, toys, holiday gifts, traditional German foods, sweets and beverages.

The three locations, Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago, RiverEdge Park in Aurora and Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville, will once again offer visitors a chance to shop, enjoy seasonal treats and take part in special events, entertainment and family-friendly activities.

For collectors, the 30th anniversary adds another chapter to a tradition that has become part of the market experience. And with limited quantities of this year's merchandise, those hoping to add the commemorative pieces to their collections may want to make a point of visiting the merchandise booths.

For more information about the Christkindlmarket and its 2026 merchandise, visit Christkindlmarket.com.

Christkindlmarket 2026 dates

All three locations open Friday, November 20, 2026.

Chicago at Daley Plaza

November 20 – December 24, 2026

Open daily.

Aurora at RiverEdge Park

November 20 – December 24, 2026

Generally open Thursday through Sunday, with additional dates.

Wrigleyville at Gallagher Way

November 20 – December 31, 2026

Open daily, except Christmas Day.

All three markets offer free admission.