EXCELSIOR CHRISTKINDSLMARKT

The Christkindlsmarkt Festival originated over 500 years ago during the Advent Season in Germany, to celebrate the coming of the Christ Child. Christkindlsmarkt could be translated word for word as "Christ Child Market".

Over time, the Christkindlsmarkt festival spread throughout Germany, then throughout the rest of Europe. Eventually, every mid-size town had its own market.

In 1995, it crossed the ocean to Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago, where it inspired a fabulous Festival modeled after the Christkindlsmarkt in Nurenberg, Germany.

In 2005, an Excelsior resident visited the Chicago Christkindlmarket. They suggested it to a committee of local business owners and residents, who agreed overwhelmingly. The Excelsior festival started small, at Lyman Park (now the Excelsior Library). It continued to grow, and eventually moved to its current location: the East Municipal Parking Lot.

Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt, a completely volunteer and donation driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit, manages and coordinates the festival to this day.