The Christkindlmarket Chicago at Daley Plaza

Name: The Christkindlmarket Chicago at Daley Plaza
Start: 2025-12-08T11:00:00-06:00
End: 2025-12-08T20:00:00-06:00
Location: Daley plaza

Schedule

Mon Dec 08 2025 at 11:00 am to 08:00 pm

UTC-06:00

Location

Daley plaza | Chicago, IL

FREE RSVP at link.bucketlisters.com/6g6Z
About the Market:
The Christkindlmarket Chicago at Daley Plaza celebrates its 29th season in 2025. It is known to many as a wonderful holiday village, nestled in the heart of the city, with more than 55 vendors from all around the world. Read more about this season's special ticketed events below.
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🎄 ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTKINDLMARKET – EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW PARTY IN CHICAGO!
link.bucketlisters.com/6g6Z
The Christkindlmarket invites you to kick off the holiday season at the 10th Annual ‘Twas the Night Before Christkindlmarket Opening Night Preview Event at Daley Plaza. Be the first to experience the magic of the market in an intimate setting before it opens to the public.
About the event:
This highly popular evening grants you exclusive access to the 2025 Christkindlmarket Chicago. You’ll stroll the market at your own pace, order from vendors, and shop for unique gifts before anyone else. Plus, you’ll be among the very first to get the 2025 Annual Mug.
👑 Exclusive Early Access:
• Enjoy the Christkindlmarket before it opens to the public for the season
• Shop for gifts and souvenirs in a relaxed atmosphere
• Witness the grand Opening Ceremony featuring the official Christkind Prologue
🎅 Holiday Magic Extras:
• Printed holiday photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus inside the heated Timber Tent
• Roaming entertainment, including an Alpine Brass Band
• A chance to meet and take photos with the Christkind herself
• Photo in a life-size snowglobe with a Ballet 5:8 Beyond the Nutcracker character
🎁 General Admission Includes:
• One (1) 2025 Annual Heart Mug
• One (1) Entrée from a market food vendor
• One (1) Dessert from a market food vendor
• Two (2) Drink coupons valid at the beverage vendors (non-alcoholic options available)
• Cozy access to the heated alpine-style Timber Tent with an indoor bar
• Printed holiday photo with Santa & Mrs. Claus
• Exclusive access to vendors before opening
👧 Special Kinder Package (for guests 18 & under)
• One (1) 2025 Annual Gingerbread Mug
• One (1) Entrée from a market food vendor
• One (1) Non-alcoholic beverage coupon from a market food vendor
• Cozy access to the heated alpine-style Timber Tent with an indoor bar
• Printed holiday photo with Santa & Mrs. Claus
• Exclusive access to vendors before opening
• Children 0–5 attend free. Must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
✨ Member Perks
• GACC Midwest Members are eligible for discounted General Admission tickets. Contact your GACC representative or Christkindlmarket directly for details.
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🎊 Christkindlmarket Chicago Culture & Cheer Tours
link.bucketlisters.com/Yr31
About the event:
For nearly three decades, the Christkindlmarket has been Chicago’s most cherished holiday tradition. Now you can be among the first through the gates with the Culture & Cheer Tour—a behind-the-scenes experience led by a German-speaking Christkindlmarket team member.
🌟 Behind-the-Scenes Access: You'll enter the market as vendors are setting up, witnessing the market come to life. While booths may be closed with shutters up, you'll be the first to explore the market that day, gaining unique insights into the Christkindlmarket. Keep in mind that none of the booths will be open for any purchases at this time. Please be aware that there are dedicated photo and video spots on this tour that your guide will point out. There will be areas where filming/photography is not allowed.
📖 Tradition Meets Education: Your guide will share the market’s rich 29-year history, introduce you to vendor specialties, and even lead a playful “Deutschminute”—a mini German language lesson teaching festive holiday phrases.
🎁 Exclusive Souvenirs & Treats. Each ticket comes with a holiday bundle:
• 45-minute tour guided by a German-speaking Christkindlmarket team member
• 2025 Annual Heart Mug
• Beverage voucher redeemable for hot chocolate, chai, or apple cider once the market opens
• Christkindlmarket reusable tote bag filled with vendor goodies like Bob’s Belgian Hot Chocolate STIX and more!
• The opportunity to visit select vendor booths for quick seasonal tastings during the tour
• Be among the first to experience the market on a bustling market day
🔥 Cozy Comfort as the Market Opens: The tour ends inside one of the heated structures with a seat near the bar—perfect for relaxing and enjoying imported German beverages (not included in the ticket). Or, use your beverage coupon (included with your ticket) to grab a hot chocolate, chai, or cider from a vendor booth as the market officially opens at 11 AM.
✨ NEW THIS YEAR: THURSDAY TOURS!
Due to popular demand, we’ve added an extra day. Now you can join the Culture & Cheer Tour Thursday mornings, giving you even more chances to snag a spot and start your holiday weekend early.

Spots are limited to just 45 participants per tour—making this a truly intimate and memorable way to start your Christkindlmarket day. Gather your friends and family, beat the crowds, and create festive memories that will last a lifetime.
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👹 Christkindlmarket Chicago Haus of Krampus
link.bucketlisters.com/9pJK
About the event:
This December, the mythical Krampus storms Chicago for a one-of-a-kind Christmas celebration rooted in German folklore—blending festive cheer with a mischievous thrill. Step into a dark alpine wonderland filled with music, photo ops, holiday indulgence, and unforgettable encounters with Krampus himself.

For the first time ever, the Timber Haus at the Christkindlmarket Chicago is turned into Haus of Krampus—equal parts cozy Christmas charm and mischievous delight.

📸 Meet Krampus
The legendary Christmas character himself will be on-site for unforgettable photo ops, cheeky antics, and a touch of holiday mayhem. Snap a picture at one of our three immersive stations, but be on your best behavior: with more than one Krampus lurking, no one escapes their watchful eye…step out of line, and you just might end up in his burlap sack.

🕯️ WHAT AWAITS INSIDE THE HAUS OF KRAMPUS
- 75 minutes in the Timber Haus, reimagined as a Krampus lair, where German legend, holiday spirit, and a hint of chaos collide.
- One (1) festive beverage voucher good for one (1) 16oz beer, soda, or water to sip on while you celebrate
- One (1) warm, plain Bavarian pretzel from the Christkindlmarket Vendor Kerzen Studio — the perfect seasonal snack
- One (1) keepsake Krampus photo print-out to capture the memory and take a piece of the legend home with you

During your time slot, you are free to leave the event and return to enjoy the market and its vendors at your leisure. When leaving the space, do not leave behind any of your belongings. Guests will not be admitted to the space outside of their booked time slot.

🧸 Take Krampus Home With You: At an additional charge, you are able to add a brand new Krampus stuffed toy to your ticket to take your own personal Krampus home with you!

🍻 Mugs and More: 2025 Christkindlmarket souvenir mugs and festive merchandise will be available for purchase right inside the event space—perfect for collecting or gifting!