Chicago Christmas Market Guide

The holiday season brings so much to celebrate—the twinkling lights, festive decorations, lively parties, endless wine, and all-around cheerful vibes—but for many, Christmas markets are the highlight of it all. In Chicago, the German-style Christkindlmarket is a must-visit attraction that brings the holiday spirit up a notch each year. Picture the streets filled with charming gift vendors, food stalls offering traditional German treats, and warm mugs of mulled wine to keep you cozy. So, if you’re visiting Chicago this holiday season, you should definitely not miss out on this German Chicago Christmas market. Keep reading to discover what’s in store this year and how you can experience a taste of Germany right in the heart of the city!

This year’s Christkindlmarket takes up residence in two locations: at its usual residence in Daley Plaza in Chicago and RiverEdge Park in Aurora. Both markets open on November 22 and run daily until December 24, seven days a week, giving you plenty of time and opportunity to not miss these unique and exciting Christmas markets! 

At the Chicago Christmas market at Daley Plaza, you’ll experience the usual setup of Christkindlemarket, surrounded by Chicago’s iconic and vibrant cityscape. At the same time, the Aurora location has its own charm thanks to the scenic beauty of RiverEdge Park. Whether you’re shopping for unique gifts such as handcrafted ornaments, or delicious German snacks or just want to soak in the festive atmosphere, both Christmas markets have something special to offer that makes for an unforgettable Christmas holiday. 

See location. 

See location.

The Chicago Christmas market is open from 11 am to 8 pm on Sundays through Thursdays and 11 am to 9 pm on Fridays through Saturdays. The market is also open on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve from 11 am to 4 pm, so if you just want to dive straight into celebrations and skip the meal preps, these are perfect opportunities to celebrate outdoors with your friends and family at a Christmas market in Chicago!

The Aurora market, on the other hand, has slightly shorter and different operating hours from 11 am to 7 pm on Thursdays, 11 am to 9 pm on Fridays through Saturdays, and 11 am to 6 pm on Sundays. Like the Chicago Christmas market, it will also be open on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve from 11 am to 4 pm. Just note the slightly different hours on the weekend of December 16 to 18th and December 23rd, as it will be open from 11 am to 7 pm instead! 

There are no entrance fees to either the Chicago Christmas Market or Aurora Market, so that means you’ll have more budget to spend on gift shopping or getting your bellies filled with German snacks and mulled wine! 

Now that you have the Chicago German Christmas market on your itinerary, what else can you do around the city? Well, Chicago has one of the most iconic skylines in the world and rightfully so! Framed by the beautiful Lake Michigan and thanks to the diverse architecture of the skyscrapers, from modern designs like the John Hancock Center to historic Art Deco-style structures, the Chicago skyline is often the subject of art pieces and souvenirs. Luckily, you have options to discover and explore the famous skyline inside and out! 

If you’ve only got a day to explore Chicago, you should book a ticket to a Chicago Big Bus where you can hop on and hop off at multiple stops, taking you to the most iconic sites in the city, such as the Magnificent Mile, 360 Chicago Observatory, and Adler Planetarium! The open-top bus also gives you panoramic views of the iconic skyline and Chicago’s tallest skyscrapers, making this experience a must-try if you only have a few days in the city. 

While the Chicago Big Bus sorts out your transportation needs, the City Pass Chicago will give you access to the city’s must-visit attractions, such as Shedd Aquarium, the Art Institute Chicago, and Skydeck Chicago, to name a few. Getting the pass gives you skip-the-line privileges, and you can also save up to 50% off if you buy separate admission tickets, which means more time to explore the city and more shopping budget!   

If you’re a pizza lover, you would know that another iconic thing Chicago gifted the world is the deep-dish pizza. If you’re on a diet, we highly recommend having a cheat day (or days) when you find yourself in Chicago because you simply cannot miss having a bite into inches of layers of cheese and meat. Trust us, it will be worth it! To experience not just the iconic architecture but also the iconic dining scene, you can join an architecture and food cultural tour that will take you not only around the places but also hear stories about them! Then, you can make your trip to the city’s food haven, River North, where you can try Chicago’s classics, such as deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style popcorn! 

With the German Chicago Christmas market, access to the most famous attractions, and delicious snacks on your list, a festive holiday awaits you in Chicago. If you find yourself with a little bit more time, then be sure to check out the best tours in Chicago to get the most out of your Christmas trip, and we wish you a happy holiday!