The beloved Christkindlmarket Chicago has added Naperville, a community with deep German roots, as their only suburban location and will open Friday, Nov. 25 and go till Dec. 24. The hours of the market vary and will be Thursdays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The week of Christmas, the hours will change Dec. 19 to Dec. 23 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Dec. 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Christkindlmarket Naperville will be located on Naper Settlement’s 12-acre grounds, 523 South Webster St. Naperville, IL, and will bring the same authentic charm and feel as the annual Christkindlmarket located in Daley Plaza.
Christkindlmarket models itself after the Nuremberg Christkindlmarket, one of Germany’s oldest outdoor markets, dating back to the mid-16th century. The Christkind, a fairy-like girl who is the bearer of gifts to most children in German speaking countries, is the namesake of Christkindlmarket.
Seeking alternative ways to promote trade between the United States and Germany, the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest Inc. initiated a partnership with city officials of Nuremberg and invited companies from Germany and the Chicago area to participate in the first Christkindlmarket Chicago in 1996. The market was an instant success.
“Due to the growing popularity in the suburban market, we were looking for a location to really grow and expand and make it the market that people wanted,” said Kate Bleeker, manager of German American Events, which operates Christkindlmarket.
Christkindlmarket Naperville will have 35 vendors with three walk-in shopping tents. Vendors and tents will sell goods including hand-blown glass ornaments, traditional German holiday décor, beer steins, and sweet and savory treats. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information on the market, visit their website www.christkindlmarket.com/naperville.
Parking will be available at Naper Settlement’s parking lot located on Porter Ave. On the weekends and weekdays after 4pm, visitors can also park at Centennial Beach, the Municipal Center located on Aurora Avenue, Water Street Parking Garage, Naperville Central High School and Hillside Road. On weekdays, visitors can park at the Water Street Parking Garage and Centennial Beach. There will also be a shuttle running on Saturdays and Sundays from the Naperville Metro Train Station, that has 1,000 parking spaces, to Naper Settlement. The shuttle will be $2 to use each way.
Grab yourself an annual souvenir mug, experience the warm atmosphere of Christkindlmarket Naperville and enjoy the many other family-friendly programs offered by Naper Settlement this season, like the
Martin Mitchell Mansion Holiday Tours, Santa @ The Settlement, Merry & Bright: Glass Ornaments from Around the Globe, Weed Ladies Holiday Floral Sales, History Speaks Lecture Series: Mrs. Claus and don’t miss the Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise’s Naper Lights. To learn more about these programs, visit our website www.napersettlement.org/holiday.
