Prior to my trip to Chicago l did some research and decided that this market was definitely somewhere l wanted to visit. I was visiting Chicago with friends but l came across town alone especially to visit the market. When l got there the market was absolutely jam packed with people. l walked into the market and literally got stuck,... More

What a place! We got engaged here under the Christmas tree. But, there is so much to do...great German food, spiced wine and shopping.

We were there mid week and early afternoon and though mid week there were still quite a few people there with some spots/shops pretty crowded (so I am guessing weekends are very busy), but it seemed quite a few maybe business people having a quick lunch and/or drink. We walked around and checked out the variety of food, shop and... More

The Christkindlmarket is a once-a-year shopping area specializing in authentic German woodworking, jewelry, Christmas ornaments, Christmas fare, mugs and steins, clothing, table cloths and other dressings, and knick knacks. Each cart or tent had a wooden plank overhead with writing to specify the town, region, and/or country from which the items originated - several towns and regions of Germany with... More

We've gone ever year for the past several years. We love looking at the German ornaments and knick knacks, and who can pass up some Bratwurst, Gluewein, und Kartoffelkuchen? That being said, understand that if you go to this fair during a lunch rush, dinner rush or any time during the weekend, it will be very crowded. This year we... More

Here's the thing about the Christkindlmarket... it's either freezing with a wind chill of 30 below, or so crowded you cannot move through the masses, much less get to the booths. Or both. Then there was the year it poured rain incessantly all day. We have gone into the city four of the past five years at the holidays, and... More

I live 60 miles from Chicago, but this was the first time we've visited Christkindlmarket! Loved it! It was raining the day we went, and we already had plans for lunch, so we only sampled the chocolate-covered grapes (be sure you do as well)! But after seeing everything, we are thinking about going back before it closes to enjoy the... More

Being from Germany the Chicago Christkindlmarket is the closet Christmas Market to home, wonderful food - especially the different kinds of roasted nuts and gingerbread bites are my favorites and don't miss the mulled wine. You'll find plenty of gifts and stocking stuffers like beautiful ornaments in all sizes and mostly handmade. It's outside so dress accordingly, but there are... More

Christkindlmarket is a sight to see. There are so many little booths selling ornaments, food, crafts, etc, and there are lots of people, which makes things a little crowded but still fun. There is one particular indoor ornament booth where you have to wait in line to go inside, but it looked neat! The food is German-themed fare, which is... More