German Christkindlmarkt in Chicago

The City of Chicago is transformed into a winter wonderland of Holiday delights for the month proceeding Christmas. Holiday lights abound, particularly on the world famous Magnificent Mile, at Navy Pier and the Weihnachtsmarkt at Daley Plaza.

Daley Plaza, located in the heart of Downtown Chicago, offers a wealth of festivities, including a gigantic Christmas Tree, a German Christkindl Market, Santa's House, a model trail display and a beautiful creche.

Grand Opening of the Christmas Martket and the Tree Lighting Ceremony

Holiday festivities begin on Thanksgiving weekend. The Christkindlmarkt starts of Thanksgiving Day. One the day after Thanksgiving, there is a grand opening ceremony. The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Friday November 23, 2007, at 5 pm. The 94th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is a highly anticipated Holiday tradition that includes favorite traditions, such as singing of Christmas Carols. Plan to arrive early, as crowds gather. Browse through the German Christmas Market and enjoy eating good German delicacies along with hot spiced glogg wine or a beer.

Christkindle is a fairy like being, who dresses in a gold and white robe and wears a crown atop her golden locks of hair. Christkindl is the traditional bearer of gifts to German children, making her the equivalent of Santa Claus. Every year the Christkindl from the former year in Nurnberg is welcomed to Chicago the Christmas season. Christkindl opens the Chicago Market with a famous decree at the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The massive Christmas Tree is the centerpiece of downtown Chicago during the holiday season. The gigantic tree is actually comprised of over 130 Balsam Fir trees,.At the Grand Opening Ceremony, the lights are turned on, illuminating thousands of lights.

Daley Plaza offers a Month of Holiday Festivities

At the base of the massive, decorated Christmas tree, you will find Santa's new workshop. Santa will be at Daley Plaza every day from November 24 to December 24, when he will have to hop in his sleigh to make deliveries to good boys and girls.

The 12th Annual Christkindlmarket begins on Thanksgiving Day, November 22 and continues through December 23. The Chicago Christkindlmarkt is inspired by the historic Nuremberg Christmas Market. Vendors travel from Germany to display their wares in huts with pointed roofs. The huts fill the plaza near the Christmas Tree. Holiday shoppers can find unique German gifts, such as carved wood decorations, unique glass ornaments, blown glass vases, European fabrics and textiles, toys and much more. German delicacies,such as German cookies, chocolate and stollen, are available to purchase and take home.

Enjoy German Food, Glogg and Beer

Fragrance of cooking sausages, potato pancakes and spicy Gluhwein fills the air, tempting the taste buds. There are structures that serve beer and wine, while providing some shelter from the brisk Chicago weather. The large tent serves beer and wine to a festive crowd that seats themselves at long tables to enjoy the entertainment. There is also a smaller building perfect for enjoying a warming brew while getting out of the Chicago wind.

Admission to the Christkindlmarket is free. It is best to dress warmly. Public transportation is encouraged. There is a free trolley offering transportation to the major Chicago attractions for the Holiday season. The trolley stops right across the street from Daley Plaza.

The City of Chicago gets all decked out for the delightful Xmas Holiday Season. Enjoy the holiday lights and the German festivities in the Windy City of Illlinois.

There is so much to do in Chicago during the holiday season, that vistors may want to indulge in the convenience of the luxurious hotels in the city.