Christkindlmarket Mugs Revealed For Upcoming Aurora, Chicago Events

AURORA, IL — The beloved Christkindlmarket opens in Aurora in less than three weeks. In anticipation, organizers unveiled this year's design for the German-themed market's collectible mug.

German American Events puts on three Christkindlmarkets in the Chicago area: two in the city (in Wrigleyville and the Daley Plaza downtown) and one in Aurora. It's the most authentic traditional holiday market of its kind outside of Europe, organizers boast, with traditional candy-striped huts modeled after the classic holiday market in Nuremberg, Germany.

Each market has a location-specific mug design, all the same in shape. The Aurora mug, painted a mix of mint and dark green on the inside, showcases the Paramount Theatre, Fox River and market in RiverEdge Park. The Wrigleyville mug is cream on the inside, while the downtown one is red, both depicting nearby landmarks.

The mugs cost $8 on their own but can also be purchased with a hot beverage from various vendors, ranging from hot chocolate to mulled wine.

The market will also unveil its first ceramic beer stein with a holiday-themed design on it and a Christkindlmarket Christmas tree-growing kit, allowing visitors to bring a piece of the event home with them.

The season in Illinois's second-largest city will kick off Nov. 17 and run Thursdays through Sundays until Christmas Eve on Dec. 24, turning RiverEdge Park into a winter wonderland.

In Aurora, Christkindlmarket is increasing the sitemap to host more than 50 vendors — as opposed to the inaugural year's more than 35. Add-ons include vendors specializing in German Flammkuchen, similar to pizza, and Belgian poffertjes, almost like mini pancakes.

Christkindlmarket organizers also plan to host a one-time-only wine tasting Dec. 2 at RiverEdge Park. Guests 21 and older will be able to purchase tickets for one-hour timeslots during which they'll be able to taste up to eight German and Austrian mulled and cold wines.

"The Christkindlmarket wants to spoil their guests with plenty of new experiences," said Leila Schmidt, senior management for marketing and intercultural communication for German American Events.

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