Christkindlmarket, Christmas market in Chicago, United States.
The Christkindlmarket is a Christmas market in Chicago, Illinois, United States, with several locations including Daley Plaza and RiverEdge Park. Rows of timber huts sell handmade crafts, ornaments, toys, and traditional German goods.
The market began in 1996 as an initiative by the German American Chamber of Commerce to bring European Christmas market traditions to Chicago. Over the years, it grew into an established part of the city's holiday season.
The name comes from a traditional German Christmas figure who brings gifts to children. Visitors walk between wooden huts, sample grilled sausages, and carry steaming cups through the winter air.
Entry is free at all locations, and the market typically opens from mid-November through late December. It is best visited in the early evening when lights are switched on and crowds are thinner around the stalls.
Each year brings a new mug design featuring patterns inspired by German Christmas motifs. Many guests collect mugs from different years and bring them back on future visits to refill with hot drinks.
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