{"id":34200,"date":"2024-08-01T16:39:09","date_gmt":"2024-08-01T16:39:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/?p=34200"},"modified":"2025-12-02T20:49:50","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T20:49:50","slug":"christmas-in-chicago-christkindlmarket-plus-best-holiday-events","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/christmas-in-chicago-christkindlmarket-plus-best-holiday-events\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas in Chicago: Christkindlmarket Plus the Best Holiday Events"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There is something so completely magical about Christmas in Chicago that I can hardly contain my glee each year as Halloween passes and November ticks over the calendar. The lights start going up. The displays in windows start popping in. The possibility of snow lingers in the air as I click on my own solar lights for the holiday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But even if you\u2019re not like me, flicking on the lights and cranking up the carols on Nov. 1 each year, you can\u2019t deny that there\u2019s something utterly amazing about the way Chicago does Christmas. Our light displays, ceremonies, celebrations, artisan markets, fireworks, and, well, everything you could ask for \u2014 even rooftop igloos! \u2014 light up the night and add sparkle to the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re visiting Chicago for the holidays or spend Christmas here every year, there\u2019s so much seasonal fun to experience. In this guide, I\u2019ll share what to see and do at the Christkindlmarket Chicago (our big yuletide event) and everything else you\u2019ll want to check out this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So here you are \u2014 the best things to do in Chicago for the holidays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christkindlmarket Chicago<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Christkindlmarket
Credit: Jenni Konrad \/ CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Every year, one of my absolute favorite things to do in Chicago for Christmas is head to the Christkindlmarket<\/a>. There are three locations, but the biggest is down on Daley Plaza, where all of Chicago sparks ablaze with Christmas lights, beautiful trees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what is the Christkindlmarket Chicago? If you\u2019ve ever gone to a Christkindl market anywhere and you noticed a distinctly German vibe, there\u2019s a reason for that. The practice of holding Christkindl markets has been around for a good long while in both Germany and other sites in Europe, with a more recent influx in popular quarters in the past several decades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inspiration comes from the 16th-century Christkindlmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, one of the first outdoor markets of its kind. Each of the markets, many held around the world during the holidays, feature high-end food, gifts, and festive fun for anyone able to visit. Chicago\u2019s Christkindlmarkets are no different!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market is typically held from mid-November through to Christmas Eve, and it\u2019s a must if you\u2019ll be in town during the holiday season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When: <\/strong>Nov. 17-Dec. 24<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to buy at Christkindlmarket Chicago<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A post shared by Chicago Star Media (@chicagostarmedia)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>