Christkindlmarket Opens This Week In Aurora

AURORA, IL — This holiday season, Aurora residents and visitors won't have to hop on a plane and fly 8 hours to visit Germany. Instead, Christkindlmarket will bring a traditional German-style holiday market to the city's backyard.

The beloved holiday market returns Nov. 21 through Dec. 24 for the fourth winter at RiverEdge Park. It's one of three Christkindlmarkets happening in the Chicagoland area — the others will take place at Daley Plaza in The Loop and Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville — and the only one in the suburbs.

All locations are modeled after the classic German holiday market in Nuremberg, Germany, with traditional candy cane-striped huts.

The Aurora market will be the "largest ever organized" by German American Events, the Chicago-based nonprofit that puts on the Christkindlmarket. More than 60 local and international vendors are expected, Patch reported.

"It's festive, fun, and totally free to get in," the Paramount Theatre wrote in an email. "Whether you're shopping, sipping, or just soaking in the holiday vibes, this is a can't-miss holiday stop!"

Christkindlmarket will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Holidays will have special hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 22-23.