DOWNTOWN — Christkindlmarket has changed a lot since its 1996 debut: its venue, its vendors.
And of course, its mugs.
Drinking hot spiced wine out of a souvenir mug marks the most wonderful time of year for many Chicagoans at the annual German-themed holiday fair, which draws 1.5 million visitors to Daley Plaza.
Though Christkindlmarket is best known for its boot-shaped mugs, the souvenirs have changed quite a bit since the first festival more than 20 years ago on Michigan Avenue.
The festival unveiled this year’s heart-shaped mug on Friday. Check out the Christkindlmarket mugs from over the years here:























This story first appeared in DNAinfo in 2017, compiled by mug enthusiasts Tanveer Ali and David Matthews. It’s been updated.