Christkindlmarket 2022: Your pop-up guide to holiday fun

There’s no other experience in Chicago that marks the beginning of the holiday season like the Christkindlmarket. These much-loved markets returned Nov. 18 and will last through December, bringing the centuries-old spirit of German open-air markets to Daley Plaza (in its 26th season), Wrigleyville at Gallagher Way (in its 4th season) and, for the first time, to Aurora’s RiverEdge Park. There are a lot of new elements this year, so let’s take a look! 

General Info 

• First market took place in 1996 to further transatlantic trade between Germany and the USA. The Christkindlmarket Chicago has grown from 13 vendors to 55 this year.
• Debuted on Pioneer Court and moved to Daley Plaza in 1997, where it’s been home ever since. 

Year of Firsts 

• For the first time, the official grocery sponsor is Aldi (they will have activities on-site with event info available online). 
• Official media sponsor is Chicago Star Media.
• First official beer sponsor is Weihenstephaner.
• Find info for ALL markets at christkindlmarket.com.

CHICAGO DALEY PLAZA—What’s new? 

• Open daily through Dec. 24.
• Receptions are available in the Timber Haus for up to 100 people:
  • Monday–Thursday, heated Timber Tent, alpine-style décor, unique atmosphere, very festive.
  • 3-hour time limit.
  • Option to add on German buffet-style food packages.
  • Fully serviced bar onsite.
  • New pop-up vendors inside the Grand Timber Haus. 
Christkind, the face of the market (sort of like our Santa Claus), will visit every Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.
• Visit 55 vendors at this location–biggest of them all. 
• A new vendor this year—La Boulangerie—will sell Streusselkuchen, a classic German crumb cake popular in Europe, along with various other European items. 
• The popular Frank’s Ornament House will be back with two tents this year.
• Enjoy a variety of entertainment including Alpine Brass Band, The Joffrey Ballet Extensions Pro I dancers (Dec. 3, noon-1 p.m.) and more. 

WRIGLEYVILLE AT GALLAGHER WAY 

• Open daily now through Dec. 31.
• Much bigger this year with more than 35 vendors.
• This market is part of Winterland at Gallagher Way.
• An ice-skating rink will be moved inside the stadium—this space will be used for a carousel, which is very common at Christmas markets in Germany.
• Regular Christkind visits, every Friday from 2-4 p.m.
• A variety of entertainment throughout the season including Alpine Brass Band and more.
• Christkindlmarket at Gallagher Way/Wrigleyville will offer many fun holiday activities inside the stadium. Outside the stadium is admission-free, inside the stadium there will be an entrance fee. (gallagherway.com)
• Many staples are back, including walk-in tents, Santa Claus Workshop and Sweet Castle.
• Some vendors, like Bob’s Hot Chocolate and the Baked Cheese Haus, will be at all three locations. These are local vendors that people have come to love.
• Located at 3635 N. Clark St.

 AURORA 

• Christkindlmarket Aurora is on through Dec. 24 and will take place Thursdays through Sundays (special hours can be found at Christkindlmarket.com/aurora).
• Easy to get to by metro with nearby parking available.
• More than 35 vendors, among them staples like Kaethe Wohlfahrt, offering over 30,000 traditional German Christmas decorations.
• There will also be a festively decorated warming tent available to the public where you can purchase food and beverages from vendors and bring them inside.
• There will be many staple vendors, but also some unique to this location.
• “Twinkly Thursdays,” will be offered to entertain the kids (check times on website).
• A variety of entertainment including the A&A Ballet Nutcracker performance (Nov. 19, 4:30-5:30 p.m.), Euro Express Band (various times), and Northbrook Children’s Choir (Dec. 3, 1-2 p.m.).
• Located at 360 N. Broadway in Aurora.

  ANNUAL SOUVENIR MUG 

• Since the City of Chicago has been celebrating the Year of the Dance, Christkindlmarket’s Souvenir Mug 2022 reflects this theme.
• What makes this mug unique? One mug to unite them all. With iconic landmarks from all three market locations on each mug, all the city’s markets come together on one beautiful keepsake.
• The colors, Paris blue and icy blue, reflect what the market is all about—the beauty of the winter holiday season. 

ANNUAL NON-ALCOHOLIC SOUVENIR MUG 

• Christkindlmarket’s non-alcoholic beverage mug for 2022.
• In recent years, this mug has sold out faster than the annual one. It’s become a visitor favorite.
• Adding to the market’s little penguin family is a girl penguin, recently named Gretchen in a naming contest, dancing and celebrating the holidays while holding the 25th anniversary ornament. 

Both mugs are available at all locations and online as long as supplies last. More merchandise is available onsite.

HOURS

All Christkindlmarkets are admission free. Weekday visits are recommended for a “less bustling” experience. 

Christkindlmarket Chicago at Daley Plaza 

• Through Dec. 24 
• Sunday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 
• Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 
• Christmas Eve (Dec. 24): 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Facebook: facebook.com/christkindlmarket 

Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville at Gallagher Way 

• Through Dec. 31
• Monday-Thursday: 3 p.m.-9 p.m. 
• Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 
• Sunday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 
• Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31): 11a.m.-4 p.m. 
• Christmas Day (Dec. 25): Closed
• Facebook: facebook.com/christkindlmarket.wrigleyville 
• More information on Winterland activities at gallagherway.com

 Christkindlmarket Aurora at RiverEdge Park 

• Through Dec. 24 
• Thursday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 
• Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 
• Sunday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Special Hours: Monday (Dec. 19) through Wednesday (Dec. 21): 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 
• Christmas Eve (Dec. 24): 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Facebook: facebook.com/christkindlmarket.aurora
• For information about RiverEdge Park, visit paramountaurora.com/riveredge 

THE LANTERN PARADE 

This ticketed event, happening at every market location, will give visitors the chance to stroll the market with Christkind and sing American and German holiday songs. Chicago, Dec. 1, 5–7 p.m.; Wrigleyville, Dec. 11, 5–7 p.m.; Aurora, Dec. 4, 5–7 p.m.

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