Christkindlmarket reveals adorable holiday merch lineup

Christkindlmarket is getting ready to spread even more holiday cheer this season with a brand-new lineup of collectible mugs and festive merchandise, giving fans of the beloved German-inspired market plenty to look forward to. For 2025, organizers have unveiled a heart-shaped mug, a gingerbread-themed design, a reimagined beer stein, a handmade glass ornament, and, perhaps the most surprising addition yet, the market’s first-ever Krampus plush toy.

The official 2025 heart mug will be hard to miss, with its bright red exterior, snowy white interior and a detailed scene featuring Chicago landmarks alongside a traditional German Christmas market setting. Equally charming is this year’s gingerbread mug, decorated with a smiling gingerbread man and woman dressed in Lederhosen and Dirndl, complete with icing-like trim around the rim. Both mugs, available for $10, can be purchased empty or filled with hot seasonal beverages, with Glühwein offered for guests 21 and over.

Beer enthusiasts can look forward to the third annual half-liter stein, this time crafted in a new shape and adorned with a starry night market scene featuring the Christkind and festive flags. The collectible sells for $20 and can be filled with imported German beers thanks to sponsors Benediktiner, König Pilsener and Köstritzer. Returning for its fifth year is the glass-blown ornament, handmade in Europe and designed as a traditional gingerbread heart to pair with the new mug, priced at $39.

The biggest surprise of the year comes in the form of the Krampus stuffie, a shaggy, horned plush with a mischievous grin and cheeky tongue that adds a playful twist to the market’s merchandise lineup. Embroidered with “Gruss vom Krampus,” the toy offers fans a humorous take on the folklore figure for $28. Also new this year are curated gift boxes, which bundle together mugs, market merchandise, and vendor specialties. Starting at $115, these boxes can be ordered online for shipping or pickup, making them perfect for holiday gifting or for fans unable to visit in person.

In addition to unveiling the new collection, Christkindlmarket is offering a one-day reservation opportunity on October 5 during Sundays on State, where guests can secure their favorite items ahead of the market’s opening. All merchandise will be available at the three Christkindlmarket locations in Chicago’s Daley Plaza, Aurora’s RiverEdge Park and Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville when the season officially begins on November 21 and runs through December 31.

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Maren Biester Priebe, CEO and General Manager of German American Events, said the new collection reflects the market’s spirit of tradition and joy. “We love adding to the joy of the season with these collectible souvenirs that bring warmth, cheer, and lasting memories to every holiday celebration,” she said.

The Christkindlmarket has long been a centerpiece of Chicago’s holiday season, modeled after the centuries-old German markets in Nuremberg. With its candy cane striped huts, international vendors, traditional foods and family-friendly entertainment, the market has become a place where visitors can not only shop for unique gifts but also experience the cultural traditions of a European-style holiday celebration. This year’s new lineup of mugs and merchandise ensures fans will have even more ways to remember their visit. (For more info, click here)