Yesterday I visited the Christkindl Market in downtown Chicago. For me, the opening of the Christkindl Market ushers in the official start to the holiday season (and I don’t mind that it opens a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving). This year especially, I think the earlier we start to celebrate the holiday season the better! It runs from November 20 through December 24th and is open daily from Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. It attracts more than one million visitors a year!
This is the 22nd year of its operation in downtown Chicago. It started in 1996 and was held on Pioneer Court, then moved to the Daley Center the following year. It’s also in Naperville and a new Christkindl Market is open this year near Wrigley Field at the Park at Wrigley.
It was inspired by the Christkindl Market in Nuremberg, Germany which began in 1545. There are now such Christmas Markets held all over the world.
I enjoy strolling around looking at (and buying) ornaments. I was so excited the first year I attended the market and discovered they had fruit ornaments. I’m German and grew up with beautiful fruit ornaments on the tree….I was so excited to get some more! This year I’m looking to purchase a Chicago ornament and bird ornaments. I saw a couple of nice Chicago ornaments yesterday and really cute owl and other bird ornaments. So, I’ll go back next week to purchase those. The bird ornaments are special to me because my Aunt has a Christmas tree that she keeps out all year – she calls it her bird tree, because she has mostly bird ornaments. This year, I’m going to pick out a special bird ornament as a Christmas gift for her. My Aunt is 87 years old and this will be her last Christmas at her senior apartment. By January she’ll be living in an assisted living facility. Even though she probably won’t be able to take her large tree with her, she’ll be able to take the bird ornaments and hang them on a small tree.
Besides the ornaments, I also really like the food. My favorites are German potato soup and brats with sauerkraut. I’m also told the herring sandwich is very good. Although I like pickled herring, I wasn’t quite ready to try a herring sandwich! When I used to take my son there when he was little, he always ordered the potato soup and he loves it to this day! Of course, they also have delicious desserts like apple strudel and chocolates!! And plenty of drinks to keep you warm – such as hot chocolate, hot cider, Gluehwein or beer. Enjoy!
