Chicago’s Christkindlmarket and Winter Wonderfest

It’s hard to believe this week is December. You have to wonder where the time has gone. It’s also almost hard to believe that we are in full holiday mode in Chicago.

For me, the holidays have seemed a bit surreal until today when I happened to be walking down Clark Street and strolled into Chicago’s Christkindlmaret.

For many of us in Chicago, the German Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza (55 Randolph St.; map), which is inspired by the Christkindlmarket in Nuremberg, Germany, is one of the city’s most festive holiday traditions. It  has also earned the reputation of being Chicago’s largest open-air Christmas festival and includes European arts and crafts and German food specialties, as well as photos with Santa and Chicago’s Christmas tree, which is actually bigger this year than last year’s tree. (That’s good news.)

Some of my favorite items at the Christkindlmarket include:

• German brats.
• Potato pancakes with sour cream and apple sauce for dipping.
• Spiced apple cider. (For adults there is a spiced wine that you can get in a commemorative Christkindlmarket boot mug.)

I also never miss out on the homemade hot chocolate from Dinkel’s Bakery, which is a Chicago institution making homemade breads and pastries since 1822, including the  must-try maple-bacon donught that is calorie-free. (Keep dreaming but it is worth every calories it’s that tasty.)

Tip: If you do stop by the Dinkle’s booth at the Christkindlmarket, try their hot chocolate, which is a Dinkel family recipe and is made with real cream. I also always get their stollen bread made with sugar, pineapple, nuts, other fruits, and rum and brandy. You can get the stollen by the slice. Dinkel’s will even give you a free slice to try.

Hours

The Christkindlmarket market is open daily now through December 24. It is open 11 am – 8 pm Monday – Thursday and until 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. On December 24th the market will close at 4 pm.

Fees

The Christkindlmarket is free.

Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier

Another Chicago holiday tradition worth checking out is Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.; map).

This popular holiday event, which runs through January 2, 2011, includes more than 700,000 sparkling lights, 25,000 holiday ornaments and hundreds of decorated trees.

There are also several rides, games, music, and live entertainment, including an indoor Chicago Blackhawks ice skating rink and a 50-foot-high indoor Ferris wheel.

Some new events this year to the WonderFest include:

• An Extreme Alpine Dome with simulated downhill slopes.
• A Glacier Run with a fast-paced, simulated snowmobile ride that transports passengers through the glacial mountains of the frozen Arctic and includes a simulated display of the Northern Lights.

Family entertainment at the Winter Wonderfest includes “Variety Entertainment” with some of Chicago’s top variety performers such as jugglers, magicians, and comedians, as well as school group performances and multi-ethnic music and dancing from local communities.

Hours

December 3 – 18; Sunday through Thursday: 10 am – 5 pm and Friday and Saturday: 10 am – 10 pm.

December 19 – January 2, 2011; Sunday through Thursday: 10 am – 8 pm and Friday and Saturday: 10 am – 10 pm.

Special Holiday Hours; Christmas Eve: Friday, December 24 – 10 am – 5 pm; Christmas Day: Saturday, December 25 – closed; New Years Eve: Friday, December 31 – 10 am – 8 pm.

Fees

Admission is free, except for rides and attractions, which require a wristband for a fee:

• Regular Wristband (does not include ice skating): $15
• Premium Wristband (includes ice skating): $18.

Tip: You can save money by ordering your wristband online.

Photo credit: SXC