For longtime Chicago residents, many are familiar with the annual Christkindlemarket that occurs downtown. Every year, Daley Plaza transforms into an old-timey German outdoor market with ample knick-knacks, trinkets, and mulled wine to go around. Recently, a second Christkindlemarket has been introduced to northside Chicagoans, doubling the amount of holiday merriment.
The original market has an extensive history before its midwestern inception. The inspiration for the event comes from Nuremberg, Germany’s Christkindlemarket, which began in the 16th century. The German market is commonly referred to as the first outdoor market of its kind.
Chicago’s first Christkindlemarket was in 1995, conceptualized and introduced by the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest. The group wanted to form a new way to connect trading between Germany and America, deciding that a festive, outdoor market would be the ideal place to incorporate commercial exchange.
The Daley Plaza’s Christkindlemarket is one of the quintessential stops for anybody wanting to get into the Christmas spirit.
The Wrigleyville location will be aesthetically identical to the usual downtown location. The northside market will have incredible vendors selling spiced wine drinks, hot chocolate, coffee cakes, and crepes.
There will also be ample shopping opportunities to finish your Christmas gift purchasing. Vendors selling ornaments, alpaca furs, hats, scarves, and mittens will make perfect gifts for the upcoming holidays. The only striking difference between the two markets is the physical location; both include the same amount of blissful decor and detail that make these pop-ups so whimsical and memorable.
You’ll be able to find the newest Christkindlemarket pop-up right next to Wrigley Field. Walking up Clark street, you’ll see three separate entrances to the market. Individual vendors will be lined up on the east side of the avenue, with a cluster of vendors placed right in front of the Cubs merchandise store. A Yuletide-themed carousel ride in the park’s center will also be available, perfect for young kids and adults alike.
Though the Wrigleyville market is smaller than its downtown predecessor, its charm and design encompass the spirit of Christkindlemarket flawlessly. For those wanting to stay away from the hustle and bustle of The Loop, this northside outdoor market will be a more relaxed alternative.
Luckily for eager Chicagoans, the Christkindlemarket located in Wrigleyville has already opened. Its first visitation hours began on November 18th and will continue throughout the end of the year.
The market will be open from Monday to Thursday from 3 pm to 9 pm, while Friday and Saturday hours are 11 am to 10 pm. Sundays will have slightly more reduced hours from 11 am to 7 pm. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve will also have special hours, only open between 11 am and 4 pm.
If you’re visiting Christkindlemarket from outside the Wrigleyville neighborhood, commuting by car can be slightly frustrating due to limited parking. The market’s organizers suggest taking public transit instead. The Addison Red Line stop is only a short walk from the Clark and Addison intersection, where the Chirstkindlemarket resides. The Clark bus is also a viable alternative for those farther north or south of this Winterland pop-up.
If you can’t wait until Christmas to celebrate the holidays, the Christkindlemarket is already open for optimal enjoyment. Chicago has thankfully multiplied its wintertime festivities for its Yuletide-loving residents with two Christkindlemarket locations this year. Both pop-ups will be available throughout December, so make sure to stop by and pick up a warm, festive beverage to lift your Christmas spirits.
