Chicago Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza

Overview of Christkindlmarket:

This German-American festival is a crowd-pleasing favorite that sits on many Chicagoans' annual list of holiday traditions.

Drink hot spiced wine (Glühwein) out of a mug shaped like a boot while you stroll the shops and merchants from around the world. All of this takes place under the watchful eye of the Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza and the city's official Christmas tree.

Christkindlmarket Dates and Times - 2009:

Open Daily from TBD through TBD, 2009

Sneak Peek: November TBD from TBD
Grand Opening: November TBD from TBD

Hours: TBD

Last Day: December 24th (Christmas Eve) (Please note: The organizers published that 4 p.m. Christmas Eve close time with four exclamation marks.)

Christkindlmarket Location:

http://chicago.about.com/od/architectureplanning/a/DaleyPlaza.htmDaley Plaza
Between Washington, Clark and Dearborn Streets
Map It

Christkindlmarket Tickets and Admission:

The market is FREE. No tickets are issued.

Guide Comments:

I love this festival. First of all, it gets you outside in the winter, and if it's snowing, it feels a bit like being dropped off in an Alpine village. But, then there's the Picasso sculpture, the city's Christmas tree, Santa's House, the city's Menorah, and the Eternal Flame to remind you otherwise.

Also, the merchants provide a wide range of hand-made goods that you don't often see elsewhere. My family bought one of those candles that turns a decorative wheel as the heat from the flames rise. It's now a featured item on our holiday table.

The sausage and strudel food options plus the candied nuts, sweets, andpotato pancakes help finish out the inviting scene.

The market is open during the day, but do try to get an evening visit in, too. It's especially lively and good fun.