On Saturday, some friends and I braved the snow flurries and slushy cold to venture downtown to the Christkindlmarket, an outdoor European market that takes over Daley Plaza every December. As dismal as Chicago can be, it does get quite festive around Christmastime, and visiting the Christkindlmarket is always fun no matter how many degrees below freezing it is.
I stumbled upon the Christkindlmarket with a friend a couple of years ago. That time, it must have been 10 degrees outside–we took a quick look around, and I bought a beautiful paper star light, but it was after dark and not many people were there. But the middle of the afternoon on a Saturday? Yeah, it was crowded. But it was also easier to see the goods, and they were selling mulled wine (gluwhein) in keepsake mugs. (!!)
There’s a surprising air of authenticity about the market, too–apparently many of the vendors are flown in from Germany. At the very least, I can attest that the beer steins on sale at the Christkindlmarket closely resembled the ones I bought while in Munich. Somehow I ended up spending money only on food: mulled wine, a decadent apple strudel, and dark-chocolate-covered marzipan balls. Oh well. No regrets about that!
photo creds: green bulb, friend; dragons, me; strudel, friend; ornaments, me
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looks like a lovely place to visit and love the special treats you purchased. yummy!
it was lovely! and it’s very special since it only happens once a year. 🙂
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You should visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, London. It’s awesome!
Oh yes I definitely want to!! One of these days I’ll make it to London. I’ve heard it’s beautiful there the whole Christmas season.
Looks like a really lovely Christmas market and in Chicago – what a wonderful city!
yes, it is lovely!! I’m glad it’s a tradition that has been preserved.
Are those dragons $49 or $99? For such small number of pictures, I can sense that the place seems like have a great atmosphere.
oh wow I missed this comment!! but yeah, the dragons were $99. everything there is crazy expensive (that’s why I only bought food).
This very much resembles the Christmas markets all over Bavaria, it looks like.
oh good!! I am glad to hear that! It’s like having a tiny piece of Bavaria in Chicago. Very lovely 🙂
I would love to see the one in Chicago. Although I have driven and flown through Chicago on my occasions, I have never been there as a tourist. Nice pictures! I liked the dragon booth. You won’t see that in Bavaria! Except for in one town, we saw mostly Christmas ornaments and lots of booths where you could pick from hundreds of figures for your nativity scene. Unlike here, they collect good ones a few at a time instead of having to pay a fortune for the whole set.