Since 1996, Chicago has had a German Christmas market of its own: the Christkindlmarket, modelled on the old market in Nuremberg, and now held on Daley Plaza, in the shadow of the Picasso.
Wooden huts, sausages on the grill, Glühwein in a mug shaped like a boot, and the wind off Lake Michigan to make you appreciate all of it.
Here are the markets worth seeing, when they open in 2026, what else to do, and how to plan the trip with friends.
What are the best Christmas markets in Chicago?
| Market | Where | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Christkindlmarket Chicago | Daley Plaza, the Loop | The original: a German market in the Loop |
| Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville | Gallagher Way, Wrigleyville | The second market, next to Wrigley Field |
Daley Plaza, the Loop
Christkindlmarket Chicago
Rows of wooden huts fill Daley Plaza with German food, ornaments, nutcrackers and cuckoo clocks, around a big Christmas tree, with the Picasso sculpture looking on.
It is free to enter and busiest at lunchtime and on weekend evenings.
Good to know: Visit on a weekday afternoon, and dress for the wind: Daley Plaza gets cold fast.
Gallagher Way, Wrigleyville
Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville
A second Christkindlmarket on Gallagher Way, beside Wrigley Field, with the same huts and food and a neighbourhood feel.
When are the Chicago Christmas markets open in 2026?
The Christkindlmarket usually opens in mid-November and runs until Christmas Eve, with special hours on Thanksgiving. Check its official site for the exact dates and hours at each location.
The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival lights up Michigan Avenue with a parade on the Saturday before Thanksgiving: November 21 in 2026.
What should you eat and drink at the Chicago Christmas markets?
- Glühwein: German mulled wine in the famous boot-shaped mug, a new design every year.
- Bratwurst: German sausages off the grill, in a roll with mustard and sauerkraut.
- Kartoffelpuffer: Potato pancakes, fried crisp, with apple sauce or sour cream.
- Stollen and Lebkuchen: German Christmas bread and gingerbread, to eat there or take home.
- Roasted nuts: Candied almonds and cashews, warm from the pan.
How do you plan a Christmas market trip to Chicago?
Two or three days covers the market, the lights and the city: the river, the Art Institute, and deep-dish pizza after dark.
Stay in the Loop or River North, and use the L for Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park.
Don’t miss ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo, the Christmas Around the World trees at the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Great Tree in the Walnut Room on State Street.
Why go to the Chicago Christmas markets with friends?
The Christkindlmarket is a group outing: a boot mug each, sausages to share, and a vote on who goes back for the potato pancakes.
In SwipeSights, everyone swipes on real places in Chicago, from the market to the jazz club for afterwards, and the group’s picks become a day-by-day plan.
Plan Chicago at Christmas together
Start a trip, invite your friends, and let the group’s picks become a day-by-day plan.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the Christkindlmarket Chicago in 2026?
It usually opens in mid-November and runs until Christmas Eve on Daley Plaza and at Wrigleyville. Check the official site for the exact dates.
What is the Christkindlmarket boot mug?
The Glühwein is served in a boot-shaped mug with a new design every year. Many visitors collect them.
Is the Chicago Christmas market free?
Yes, entry is free. You pay for food, drinks and gifts.
Where is the Chicago Christmas market?
On Daley Plaza in the Loop, with a second Christkindlmarket on Gallagher Way, next to Wrigley Field.
What else is there to do in Chicago at Christmas?
The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo, the Christmas Around the World trees at the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Great Tree in the Walnut Room.
SwipeSights: plan the whole group trip together.
