Christkindlmarket
What you need to know about German holiday celebration
The Christkind, Glühwein, pickles, smokers and pyramids are about to become a familiar part of the holidays for Milwaukee area residents.
The area’s first Christkindlmarket opens Friday night in downtown Milwaukee, a celebration of German holiday food, drink and home furnishings that organizers believe will catch on quickly.
The market runs through Dec. 31 on the entertainment block outside Fiserv Forum, the new home of the Milwaukee Bucks. It’s the first major event to be hosted on the plaza.
Christkindlmarket replicates holiday markets found throughout Germany and is inspired by the one in Nuremberg that dates to the 1500s and possibly earlier.
“We try to make the market as authentic as possible,” said Katie Bleeker,
director of expansion and operations for German American Events, a subsidiary of the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest.
“It’s a nondenominational celebration of the holiday season.”
The nonprofit also operates Christkindlmarkets in Chicago and Naperville, Ill. Those markets have enjoyed a strong number of visitors from Wisconsin and organizers have long planned to bring the event to Milwaukee, Bleeker said.
“We think this will be a lasting tradition here, in our most German city,” she said.
The Milwaukee market is starting out small — about half the size of the one in Chicago — but no less authentic, Bleeker said.
“We have all of the vendors here who are fan favorites.”
About two dozen vendors will occupy 18 booths assembled in the past week. In addition, there’s a “Timber Tent” gathering area for food, drink and entertainment.
Food offerings include brats, goulash, potato pancakes, baked cheese sandwiches and strudel. And, yes, there will be German beer.
A “sweets castle” will sell candy, gingerbread and other items.
The market includes a Käthe Wohlfahrt store featuring authentic German ornaments and decorations.
“That’s one of the most well-regarded stores for holiday items in the world,” Bleeker said.
A “soft opening” of Christkindlmarket will take place before the Bucks game Friday night. The market’s grand opening is 11 a.m. Saturday. Admission is free.
Here’s what you need to know so you don’t feel like a tourist in Milwaukee’s Christkindlmarket.
Who is Christkind?
Think of a Santa-like fairy who brings gifts to kids and welcomes visitors to the market. She’s dressed in gold and white robes with a crown upon her golden locks, organizers say.
“Christkind folklore dates back to the 1500s and stems from traditional customs: parades during the holiday season were guided by one ‘grand’ angel, the Christkind,” the market organizers say.
“Since then, and still today, she is the bearer of gifts to most children in German-speaking countries, much like Santa Claus is in the United States.”
Christkind will appear several times, including at the grand opening and Dec. 2 for a children’s day that includes singing and a late-afternoon lantern parade.
What’s Glühwein?
It’s a German holiday specialty, served at outdoor markets such as the Christkindlmarket. It’s a slightly sweet mulled red wine.
“It’s served really hot — not just warm. It’s smoking hot, and fairly strong as well,” Bleeker said.
“Even on the coldest days, it’ll really warm you up ... especially the second one.”
What’s with the mugs?
The Christkindlmarkets sell a new collectible mug every year that Glühwein and hot chocolate are served in.
Local visitors who have made the trek to the Chicago market need not worry about adding to their collections. A limited number of three-packs from the Chicago, Naperville and Milwaukee markets will be available.
This year’s mug has a gingerbread heart design and showcases a distinct color and a cityscape of the market location.
Smokers, pyramids, nutcrackers and pickles
Those are just some of the traditional German holiday decorations and ornaments available at the market.
German tradition calls for parents to hide a pickle ornament in the Christmas tree.
“When the children were allowed to view the tree for the first time, whoever first found the special ornament would receive an extra gift left by St. Nicholas for being the most observant child,” the market website says.
The smokers are hand-carved holiday displays that are animated by a small piece of incense that, for instance, sends a plume of smoke from a character’s cigar. The wood-carved pyramid displays spin gently thanks to the heat generated by small candles.
Tips from the experts
Pro tip No. 1: Buy spare pyramid candles at the market.
“They’re smokeless, dripless and burn cleanly,” said Janet Yuhas, manager of the Käthe Wohlfahrt store. “If you get the wrong ones at Walmart or some other place, they’ll burn wrong and the pyramid will just burst into flames.”
Pro tip No. 2: Get the hot chocolate.
“It’s the best hot chocolate that I’ve ever had,” Bleeker said. “It’s from Belgium and it’s insane.”
The Christkindlmarket outside Fiserv Forum will have a soft opening Friday night, with a grand opening at 11 a.m. Saturday. The market will run through Dec. 31.
The market is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.