Quite a bit, actually. Over the next few weeks thousands of Illinoisans will visit a Christkindlmarket somewhere in the state, enjoying the sights and sounds (and tastes and smells) of a holiday village, complete with vendors, entertainers and a healthy dose of German Christmas tradition.
The tradition began hundreds of years ago in the Bavarian city of Nuremburg, Germany, when local merchants gathered in a marketplace to exchange their wares and celebrate the Christmas season. The festive atmosphere of the event made for a friendly and jovial gathering that conjures up the idyllic images of the holiday season. Over the decades the Christkindlmarket became a fixture of the region’s celebration of the season. The event’s name comes from the tale of the Christkind, “a fairy-like being dressed in gold and white robes with a crown upon her golden locks.” Since the 1500s stories have been told of this grand angel who leads parades and brings gifts to children in central Europe.
In the late 20th century the Christkindlmarket tradition made its way to America. Illinois’ first Christkindlmarket was organized by the German-American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest nearly 30 years ago in Chicago’s Pioneer Court with about a dozen vendors. It was seen as a way to build bridges of friendship between Germany and the United States. Today Chicago’s Christkindlmarket is held at Daley Plaza, with dozens of vendors and entertainers. (In recent years another Chicago Christkindlmarket has come together on the north side in the shadow of Wrigley Field, but not this year due to the NHL’s Winter Classic taking place at Wrigley.) The events have proven so popular that they have even expanded into a preview party; “Twas the Night Before Christkindlmarket;” this Thursday night, which includes a Lantern Parade and a wine-tasting event. The grand opening is on Friday, and the Christkindlmarket runs through Christmas Eve.
While the Christkind was known to deposit the children’s presents beneath trees and depart before anyone could see her, the modern day Christkind can be found roaming the Christkindlmarket reading stories and spreading holiday cheer.
Chicago’s Christkindlmarket might be the largest in Illinois, but it is far from the only one. The state’s second-largest city, Aurora, will be hosting its third annual Christkindlmarket at RiverEdge Park from Friday until Christmas Eve. Aurora expects this year to be the largest Christkindlmarket in its history, with over 50 vendors, tastings, receptions and a children’s Lantern Parade. Belleville will host its 11th annual Christkindlmarket starting the day after Thanksgiving and running until just before Christmas. The southwestern Illinois community’s festivities will include the traditional German Christmas market, a Santa parade, entertainers, live reindeer and Gustav the Belleville Christmas Elf.
Frohe Weihnachten!
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Photo credit:
Christkindlmarket Chicago, Eric James Walsh Photography 2023