Christkindlmarket is a Christmas market held annually at Daley Plaza in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The festival is part of the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and attracts more than 1 million visitors each year.
[edit] History
The German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest first held Chicago's Christkindlmarket on Pioneer Court in 1996.[1][2] Christkindlmarket was inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany. In 1997, Mayor Daley requested that the festival be moved to Daley Plaza.[2] That year the market attracted more than 750,000 visitors.[2] By 1999, the Christkindlmarket had become part of the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival.[2] In recent years, Chicago's Christkindlmarket has become the largest Christmas market in the United States, hosting well over 1 million visitors annually.[2]
[edit] Vendors and attractions
Nativity Scene at the market in 2001.
The market is situated by a large Christmas tree at Daley Plaza and also houses a small nativity scene.[3] The site features entertainment from Christmas choirs, dance groups, and brass bands.[2] It also houses a model train and a Santa house.[2] At the site beer, wine, baked goods, meats, toys, holiday ornaments, and other Christmas decorations are sold by vendors from Germany, Ukraine, Austria, and the Chicago metropolitan area.[2]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] Further reading
- Zug, J.D. (1991). German-American Life: Recipes and Traditions. Iowa City: Penfield Press.
[edit] External links
