For those eagerly awaiting the shape of this year’s Christkindlmarket mug design — the boot is back.
Mugs have been a souvenir staple of the traditional outdoor German market since it premiered in Pioneer Court off the Magnificent Mile in 1996. Though the popular boot design didn’t make its first appearance until 2005, it’s always an iconic souvenir of the holiday season in Chicago.
German American Events, which operates Christkindlmarket, has added a beer stein, a glass-blown ornament and a mug for non-alcoholic beverages in recent years.
“We’re thrilled to bring back the fan-favorite boot mug, along with exciting new designs like the nutcracker mug and the beautifully crafted ornament,” said Maren Biester Priebe, CEO and general manager of German American Events. “These collectibles capture the magic of the market and make perfect holiday keepsakes.”
The boot
Like a fine European automobile, the boot design has a sleek black exterior featuring lively market scenes and warm red interior. Cost: $9 (up $1 from 2023)
The beer stein
Returning for its second year — but with an all new design — the ceramic beer stein depicts its own bustling holiday market scene. Cost: $20 (same as 2023)
The nutcracker
Those enjoying hot chocolate, hot apple cider or other nonalcoholic drinks can imbibe from this stately design. Cost: $9 (up $1 from 2023)
The mementos and a commemorative glass-blown ornament and gift boxes featuring items sold be Christkindlmarket vendors can be purchased at both the Chicago and Aurora locations. No Christkindlmarket will take place in Wrigleyville at Gallagher Way this year due to the NHL Winter classic and additional programming.
Christkindlmarket Chicago
Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St. Open Nov. 22-Dec. 24. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Thanksgiving (Nov. 28) and Christmas Eve (Dec. 24). christkindlmarket.com/daleyplaza.
Christkindlmarket Aurora
RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora. Open Nov. 22-Dec. 24. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Thursday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Thanksgiving (Nov. 28) and Christmas Eve (Dec. 24); 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 16-18 and Dec. 23. christkindlmarket.com/aurora.
Previous designs: 1996-1998
Thirty-five wooden booths are built in Germany and shipped to Chicago for the first Christkindlmarket Chicago, which lasts 17 days with 15 vendors. The event moves from Pioneer Court on Michigan Avenue to Daley Plaza in 1997, where its opening coincides with the city’s Christmas tree lighting.
1999
Food options range from chocolate-dipped strawberries on skewers to bratwurst, and from cheese pretzels to doughnutlike churros with strawberry, chocolate and Bavarian cream fillings.
2000
Items for sale include handcrafted glass ornaments, cuckoo clocks, nutcrackers, wooden toys, jewelry, sweaters and food.
2001
The market’s footprint expands beyond Daley Plaza to include the vacant Block 37.
2002
Glass blowers from the Bavarian Forest demonstrate their craft and sell the finished products.
2003
Displays include the Guinness World Records’ largest beeswax candle.
2004
The market opened on Thanksgiving to give shoppers a sneak preview.
2005
Christkindlmarket celebrates 10 years in Chicago and offers its first souvenir boot mug.
2006
Chicago Tribune restaurant critic Phil Vettel gives “a big yodeling ja” to Helmut’s Original Austrian Strudel and a “hearty ja” to the spiced red wine in a boot.
2007
Mader’s, a famous Milwaukee German restaurant, participates.
2008
More than 50 vendors participate this year.
2009
Christkindlmarket now lasts almost one full month in Daley Plaza.
2010
German food, drink and trinkets still attract crowds to Daley Plaza 15 years after the event began in Chicago.
2011
In addition to running Christkindlmarket, German American Services expands to put on an Oktoberfest celebration at Navy Pier.
2012
More than 50 vendors sell items including ornaments, beer steins, wooden toys, jewelry and European chocolates.
2013
The official mug is not a boot and people take to the market’s Facebook page to complain. (The market’s mug has been a boot just nine out of its 26 years.)
2014
A snowman mug is introduced for the market’s Kinder Club. More than half of the 50 vendors travel from Germany to Chicago to sell their wares.
2015
In its 20th year in Chicago, the market is void one accessory — the city’s official Christmas tree. After 50 years in Daley Plaza, the tree is moved east to Millennium Park.
2016
For the first time, the market expands to two locations — the Daley Plaza mainstay and a suburban outpost in Naperville.
2017
The market opens a third location at The Park at Wrigley, just outside Wrigley Field. For the first time in its 22 years, Christkindlmarket offers three mug designs — two of them in “punch kettle” shape.
2018
The market opens its first location in Wisconsin, just outside the new Fiserv Forum. The mug designs feature a heart-shaped opening and designs are placed atop gingerbread-inspired sides.
2019
The boot design returns after four years.
2020
Organizers of the popular outdoor holiday market cancel the event and move it online as the coronavirus pandemic continues to hamper large-scale events and international travel.
2021
The same flute-shaped design about as tall as an iPhone is sold at both the Daley Plaza and Wrigleyville locations to commemorate the market’s 25th anniversary in Chicago, and the children’s “Peppermint Penguin” design is dressed up to celebrate the first Christkindlmarket in almost two years.
2022
The official mug celebrates “Year of Chicago Dance” and the Kinder Club hosts a naming contest for the dancing penguin mug.
2023
The market returns in three locations — Daley Plaza, Wrigleyville and Aurora. For the first time, a fast-entry pass is sold for $25 (and includes a souvenir mug).
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