Christkindlmarket Says Farewell To Naper Settlement

NAPERVILLE, IL -- For the past three Christmases, Naper Settlement has transformed into a whimsical replication of a German village for the beloved Christkindlmarket, but those twinkling lights will stay dim this year. Naperville Heritage Society announced Thursday that Christkindlmarket will not reopen at Naper Settlement come the 2019 holiday season.

In the wake of the announcement, Naper Settlement President and CEO Rena Tamayo-Calabrese said, "[Christkindlmarket] was a great event and we take this moment to thank all our visitors for coming to celebrate the holidays with us."

Holiday shoppers, bright-eyed kids, and kids-at-heart came from Naperville, its surrounding communities, and even other countries to visit Christkindlmarket. The event, which organizers say produced "$7.2 million gross in economic impact" annually, was part of a partnership between Naper Settlement, German American Events, and the City of Naperville.

In a news release, Naper Settlement officials sent their best wishes to German American Events and hinted that the fact that Christkindlmarkt won't reopen makes room for new sources of holiday fun.

The news updates said, "Christkindlmarket’s departure brings new opportunities and Naper Settlement is in conversation to develop a new holiday experience at the museum campus this winter."