Christkindlmarket (Kringle Market) 2011 is open Nov 23-Dec 24, 2011;
Sun-Thur 11am–8pm; Fri-Sat 11am 9pm;
(Thanksgiving & Christmas Eve: 11am-4pm).

Admission is Free.

For the 16th year in a row, Daley Plaza will be hosting Chicago Christkindlmarket 2011 (aka Kringle Market), a traditional German Christmas Market, from November 23rd to December 24th, 2011. Christkindlmarket 2011 will feature handmade gifts including ornaments, candles, woodcarvings, cuckoo-clocks, European chocolates, beer steins, toys, glass blown items and toys.

Featuring more than 50 vendors, Chicago Christkindlmarket 2011 will include both gift and food vendors. Traditional treats include hot cider, hot chocolate and spiced wine – with many German Christmas Market favorites such as bratwurst, schnitzel, strudel, potato pancakes and more. Kringle Market has been a holiday tradition in Chicago for 16 years and is a great experience for anyone wanting to get out in the city during the season.

Christkindlmarket (Kringle Market) 2011 also provides a great opportunity to view Chicago’s 2011 Christmas Tree and Santa Claus at Daley Plaza.

Christkindlmarket 2011

See, taste and hear the holiday cheer. Experience a traditional Christkindlemarket (Kringle Market) 2011, based on the century old markets in Germany, in the heart of downtown Chicago. Christkindlemart (Kringle Market) 2011 features German and International vendors who display hand crafted ornaments, toys and unique gifts as well as traditional German foods, sweets and beverages.

Checkout all the Chicago Winter Events.

Early bird discounts are available on the Navy Pier website or Click Here for a $2 Coupon.

Navy Pier Winter Wonderland 2011 opens at 10am daily. Winter Wonderfest has decreased the price of their wristbands this year. ($15 Standard, $18 Premium). Premium Winter Wonderfest writstbands include access to the ice skating rink.



Navy Pier Winter Wonderland 2011 – Hours

December 2nd, 2011 – December 17th, 2011
Sunday through Thursday – 10:00am – 5:00pm
Friday and Saturday – 10:00am. – 10:00pm

December 18th, 2011 – January 8th, 2012
Sunday through Thursday – 10:00am – 8:00pm
Friday and Saturday – 10:00am – 10:00pm

Special Winter Wonderland Holiday Hour
Christmas Eve: December 24th, 2011 – 10:00am – 5:00pm
Christmas Day: December 25th, 2011 – CLOSED
New Years Eve: December 31st, 2011 – 10:00am – 8:00pm

Checkout all the Chicago Winter Events.



Navy Pier has extended the “Winter Wonderland” 2011 (aka Winter Wonderfest) to run an extra week into 2012. Winder Worderfest 2011 will be running daily from December 2nd, 2011 until January 8th, 2012. Admission to the Navy Pier Winter Wonderland is free but a wristband is required for some rides and attractions. For complete information about the festival’s admission policies, check out the official Navy Pier Winter Wonderland website.

While the winter wonderland website isn’t hard to navigate, there is a lot of information there, so I will attempt to break down the basics so that you can know what to expect from this festival.

Chicago Blackhawks Skating Rink
Winter Wonderland Ferris wheel
Matterhorn Climb & Slide
Winter Wonderland Wind Glider
Navy Pier Reindeer Express Train Ride
Patch’s Lighthouse
Ice Dragons Kringle Carousel
Navy Pier Extreme Ice Trail Ropes Course
Pepsi Create-A-Cookie Cottage
Wonderland Inflatable Games
Winter WonderStage
Winter WonderFest Junior

Navy Pier Winter Wonderland 2011 – Admission
General Admission is free.

Navy Pier Winter Wonderland Regular Activity Wristband – $15.00
Includes unlimited single-day access to rides and activities excluding Ice Skate Rental.

Navy Pier Winter Wonderland Premium Activity Wristband – $18.00
Includes unlimited single-day access to rides and activities including Ice Skate Rental.

Premium Family Free Parking Package -$76.00
Includes 4 Premium wristbands (includes ice skating) and Parking.