Christkindlmarket Chicago 2021: Everything you need to know

Bad news for anyone who was still holding out hopes of sipping spiced wine from a boot mug in Daley Plaza this winter: Christkindlmarket, the annual holiday market usually hosted downtown and in Wrigleyville, has officially been canceled. In place of the the in-person event, vendors that usually participate in the German-themed Christmas market will sell their products online beginning on November 1. The announcement, which was first reported by the Chicago Tribune, isn't surprising—large events are still banned under Phase 4 re-opening rules—but deals a blow to Chicago's holiday tourism, as the market typically draws more than one million visitors each year. While we can't see a full list of vendors or online events yet, organizers promised a virtual experience that attempts to match the holiday spirit of the in-person market.  “This year, people from all around the nation will be able to enjoy the beloved tradition from the comfort and safety of their homes through the first-ever virtual Christkindlmarket 'Home for the Holidays,' featuring an online marketplace, family-friendly events, and fun interactive activities,” organizers wrote on the website. Are you already dreaming of whipping up Glühwein and spiced nuts at home? Pre-ordering for the market opened today—you can take a sneak peek at some gift packages available here.  Most popular on Time Out - City of Chicago shares new rules for outdoor dining this winter- This Lincoln Park arcade bar is hosting a drive-thru haunted house in its alley- ZooLights will still illuminate Lincoln Park this year, but you’ll have to pay admission to get in- Two award-winning chefs are opening a nostalgia-driven sandwich shop in a former Logan Square bar- 6 places in the Midwest that look like they could be in Europe

The boot is back, baby!

Christkindlmarket unveiled its latest lineup of souvenir mugs

Enjoy stollen, snowballs and schnitzel

We're counting down the days (14) until Christkindlmarket opens and with the signature wooden houses popping up in Daley Plaza this week we could practically start to taste all of our favorite German food and drinks. The big question on everyone's mind: What would this year's Christkindlmarket mug look like? For over a decade a collectible boot was the signature drinkware of Christkindlmarket before the switch to a more traditional mug in 2012. The boot made its triumphant return last year to celebrate Christkindlmarket's 20th anniversary, but it looks like we'll be drinking our glühwein out of a regular mug again this year.            The city's largest open-air holiday market opens November 18 and runs through December 24, with tons of free events, musical performances and the best food, drinks and shopping. This year suburbanites can join in on the festivities with a new market in Naperville that opens November 20. Enjoy all the celebrations at Christkindlmarket through December 24, and check out the full schedule of events here.  Sure, we'll miss the boot, but the good news is glühwein tastes just as delicious in a regular mug.  Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.  

While today's toasty temperatures might not make you feel like it, we're only one month away from our favorite holiday market setting up shop in Daley Plaza. Christkindlmarket returns on November 18 and we're counting down the days until we can eat and shop for all of our Christkindlmarket favorites. The massive open-air market is always a must during the holidays in Chicago, with great food, drinks and gifts—including handcrafted ornaments, wooden clocks, nutcrackers and more—from Germany and beyond.  And there's good news for suburbanites, as Christkindlmarket launches in Naperville this holiday season. You'll have to wait an extra week though; the new market doesn't open until November 25. Until November 18, we'll just be over here dreaming about boots full of Glühwein and a sweet plate of Germknödel. Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know. 

July is right around the corner and we all know what that means. We're halfway to Christmas season. It will only be a few more months until Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" mysteriously dominates the playlist in every department store, coffee shop and iPhone. To make sure you haven't forgotten about the joys of the holiday season, Christkindlmarket has just announced a new location in Naperville. The beloved Christmas market will bring more than 40 wooden stalls filled with glittery ornaments, warm strudel and handmade gifts to the suburb, beginning on November 25. There will be heated structures where visitors can enjoy German beers or glühwein in adorable collectable mugs (hopefully in the shape of a boot). Guests can also look forward to live musical performances and a visit from the Christkind herself every Sunday. Naperville residents won’t have to make the trek all the way to Daley Plaza in order to experience one of the largest and most authentic German markets outside of Europe. Just like the Loop-based market, Christkindlmarket will be free and open to the public Thursdays through Sundays with special extended hours leading up to Christmas Eve from November 25 to December 24.