The Christkindlmarket Aurora at RiverEdge Park is bringing the festive spirit of a traditional German-style holiday market to Chicago again this year, from Nov. 22-Dec. 24. The market is usually open Thursdays through Sundays with special daily hours from Dec.16-Dec 24.
With its twinkling lights and the aroma of spiced mulled wine and fresh pastries filling the air, this market offers a magical experience for visitors of all ages.
Bringing young children to the Christkindlmarket can be fun for the whole family. However, navigating a busy outdoor market with small children requires a bit of planning to ensure the experience is enjoyable for everyone.
Whether it’s your first visit or you’re a seasoned market-goer, these tips will help you make the most of your trip to the Christkindlmarket, keeping your kids safe, entertained and full of holiday cheer. Leila Schmidt, Senior Manager for Marketing and Intercultural Communication with German American Events LLC, gives us some insight on this year’s market.
Dress for the weather
It’s that time of year in Chicago when coats and scarves become wardrobe staples. Check the weather forecast before you go and dress everyone accordingly. Bring any appropriate accessories, like umbrellas or beanies, to ensure you can stay for a while and enjoy the market, despite the weather.
Start with a map/calendar
Guests can visit the website and find the vendor map, the entertainment calendar and the ticketed events. “We also give out brochures on-site that have all the vendor information, the market map and visitors can also pick up our little scavenger hunt maps and the Kinder Club passport at the info booth inside the heated Timber Tent,” explains Schmidt. “Depending on the day, there will be specific activities and live entertainment happening. For example, on the day of the lantern parades, we’ll also have our face painter there. And then we have different sponsors that will have activations.”
Ask about the new free kids events
Each year, the Christkindlmarket offers a variety of events for kiddos of all ages, like The Children’s Lantern Parade and Holiday Glass Ornament Making. This year, the Christkindlmarket will offer the following free kids events:
- Nutcracker in Lederhosen Scavenger Hunt: six 4-foot Nutcrackers are spread out throughout the market. Kids can pick up a map, find the Nutcrackers, use punchcards and come back to the info booth to turn them in for a little goodie.
- Christkind’s Workshop: This is a walk-in booth for people to take pics in that is very beautifully and festively decorated.
- Kinder Club Passport: Passports can be picked up at the info booth and have coloring pages and riddles in German and English.
Introduce your littles to the German fare
Using food to immerse kids in various cultures is such a great way to introduce them to new things. In many cultures, food is more than just sustenance, it’s a way to showcase specific flavor combinations and a way to bring people together.
This year’s market will offer various international options. “We have our Dutch pancakes, the poffertjes, at Puffy Houzz, and they come in variations…and then, of course, we also have the German classics, for example, potato pancakes. Belgian fries are another visitor favorite that’s unique to the Aurora location,” Schmidt says.
Make time to meet Christkind
At this year’s Children’s Lantern Parade on Dec. 6, St. Nikolaus will make a special appearance.
During the event, those young and young at heart get to stroll around the market with the Christkind, who is pretty much like Santa Claus in German-speaking countries.
With lanterns in hand, stories about St. Martin, and many holiday singalongs, the group will parade around the entire market. After the parade, each child will receive a goodie bag as a special memento of the occasion.
Ask about the annual Christkindlmarket souvenir mugs
“Our boot mug can be filled with all beverages on-site. However, the nutcracker mug can only be used for non-alcoholic beverages, for example, cider, hot chocolate, tea or chai,” explains Schmidt.
Other helpful tips to make your Christkindlmarket visit fun
- Bring the family on a Thursday or Friday when the market tends to be a little less bustling.
- Take a break in the heated Timber Tent when it’s time for kids to calm down. The tent is located across from the stage in between Käthe Wohlfahrt of America and Bob’s Belgian Hot Chocolate. Don’t forget to grab a cup of the Belgian hot chocolate at Bob’s.
- Bring a stroller or wagon to help keep the kids wrangled and to have somewhere to put your Christmas haul.
Can’t attend the Christkindlmarket in person this year? Or are you just in the market for something unique for someone on your Christmas list? The Christkindlmarket offers limited edition gift boxes filled with authentic German treats and they make the perfect festive gifts for anyone on your list.
Content sponsored by German American Events, LLC. Learn more about Christkindlmarket Aurora at RiverEdge Park and plan your own trip today.
