Christkindlmarket: "A traditional German American holiday market"
For the past 15 years, Chicagoans have been celebrating Christmas with their German counterparts at the annual Christkindlmarket held at Daley Plaza. Both American and German vendors sell authentic beer, schnitzel and handcrafts to bring the right amount of holiday cheer to the Loop.
Founded in Nuremberg, Germany in 1545, the Christkindlesmarkt eventually begat the Chicago version, which started in the mid-90s. With almost a hundred vendors, the market is Chicago’s largest open-air Christmas fest. The name of the market derives from the tale of the Christkind, a fairy who wore a gold and white robe and crown and was the bearer of gifts. Every year the market appoints Nuremberg’s former Christkind to usher in the annual fest. This year’s Christkind, Rebekka Volland, will open the 2010 market during a ceremony the day after Thanksgiving. The traditional Christmas tree lighting will occur on Thanksgiving Day.
Throughout the month-long market, vendors from Germany and Chicago cook up pretzels, schnitzel, roasted nuts, confections, sauerkraut, treats to take home or eat there, and Stollen (German holiday cake), pour German beers into steins and serve Gluehwein, a traditional German hot spiced wine beverage. Since the market is open all day, it’s an ideal place to stop for a Bavarian lunch and/or dinner.
Besides housing food vendors, the market sells an array of German products, including cuckoo clocks, wood carvings, exclusive hand-blown ornaments, toys and Nativity scenes. During the evening, a rotating lineup of live musicians perform music under the lit-up Christmas trees on the plaza. Holiday Horns with the Chicago Horn Consort, Canterbury Carollers and Glen Sorgatz and the Alpine Brass are just a few acts that’ll be revving up the spirit during the holiday season. For a month only, downtown Chicago transforms into a whimsical Christmas German village offering nothing but the best food, crafts and entertainment this side of Europe.
Posted by Garin Pirnia
