CHICAGO — Chicago’s beloved Christkindlmarket returns this winter after it was canceled last year because of coronavirus.
The 25th annual holiday market will be staged Nov. 19-Dec. 24 at Daley Plaza and Nov. 19-Dec. 31 outside Wrigley Field.
Reservations for Stammtisch indoor dining, where visitors can reserve tables for family-style meals in the heated Timber Haus, go on sale in the next few weeks.
For people unable to bundle up and drink gluhwein in person, an online shop will include the ornaments, gifts, sweets and treats from Germany the market is known for. The online shop opens for pre-orders Oct. 25.
“Extremely limited” ticket sales for ‘Twas the Night Before Christkindlmarket, which gives shoppers first access to the market Nov. 18, will be announces soon on social media and through Christkindlmarket’s newsletter.
“It’s been a tough year for all of us, especially for our vendors who own small businesses. We are so grateful that we can continue our beloved holiday event in person and celebrate our 25th Anniversary with all our friends,” said Maren Biester Priebe, CEO of German American Events, Christkindlmarket organizer.
Detailed health and safety guidelines will be announced closer to the market’s opening, he said.
The Downtown market will be open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, when it’ll be open 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Wrigleyville Market will be open 3-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays. On Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the market will be open 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and it will be closed on Christmas Day.
The city staged its first Christkindlmarket in 1996.
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