See Inside Indiana’s Most Magical Christmas Market

Ready to Skip Thanksgiving and Jump Into Christmas

I saw a Facebook post yesterday that cracked me up. It showed a house fully decked out for Halloween, with a woman handing candy to a trick-or-treater. As soon as she closes the door on the last kid, it cuts to the same house completely transformed for Christmas. And she went from wearing a wicked witch costume to a Christmas sweater.

I'm kind of in the "skip Thanksgiving" camp too. I have nothing against a big family meal, but I'm not big on the food that's served, and it's just a lot, you know? Plus, I'm ready to get on with Christmas!

Carmel Christkindlmarkt Tops My Christmas Bucket List

One thing I have on my Christmas Bucket List is the Christkindlmarkt in Carmel, Indiana. I wanted to go last year but never found the time. The Carmel Christkindlmarkt has been named the best Christkindlmarkt in the USA, so it's well worth your time to make a weekend of it.

The Carmel Christkindlmarkt, a charming open-air holiday market, started as a nonprofit in 2017. This market is all about celebrating Germany, offering over 60 huts of foods, beverages, and gifts from Germany and other German-speaking European countries. Visitors can also enjoy holiday music from artists all over the world and demonstrations by talented German artisans in their Werkstatt (Workshop), showcasing traditional skills and craftsmanship.

As a nonprofit, the market is dedicated to engaging and educating the community about German culture and Christmas traditions through an authentic, enchanting holiday experience. Their goal is to be recognized as the most authentic Christkindlmarkt outside of Germany, and they’re committed to making that vision a reality.

Family Fun at the Market

They offer a wide variety of events, including meet and greets with Christmas characters. In years past, princesses have made appearances as well as Father Christmas and North Pole elves. You have to check out the schedule to plan your day.

If you are a little bit adventurous, they also offer ice skating. From Nov. 22 through Feb. 1 enjoy skating at The Ice at Carter Green. Tickets are $11 per session for youth and adults 11 and over and $9 per session for children 10 and under with a $4 skate fee. Sessions last for 90 minutes.

If you have kids with you, be sure to visit the Spielhaus (Playhouse) for fun story time, magic, interactive music sessions, puppets, and meet and greets with princesses, elves, and Santa. Then stop in at the Kinderecke for special kids crafts.

What I’m Most Excited About

I took a gander at the map and here's what I am most excited about:

• Christkindlmarkt Express: Train display set in a miniature European village
• Werkstatt: Live demonstrations by artisans visiting from Germany
• Glühwein: Mulled wine and select German beers
• Bob's Belgian Hot Chocolate
• Alpenlodge: Raclette cheese over boiled potatoes and tartiflette, a cheesy potato dish cooked in a giant pan
• Das Schokoladen Haus: Chocolate-covered treats, specialty hot chocolate, and freshly made Stroopwafels
• Raclette Chalet: Traditional Swiss-German raclette sandwiches with melted cheese scraped over fresh bread
• Das Pretzel Haus: Classic Bavarian pretzels, giant pretzels, and pretzel bites with dips

New in 2025 - A FREE Shuttle

Located at the CNO Financial Center (Building J) at 550 College Drive, the Christkindlmarkt shuttle will make the parking experience faster and easier. It will be active on Saturday and Sundays this season and will be dropping patrons off at the market and shuttling back to tehir vehicles every 15 minutes.

2025 Christkindlmarkt Dates and Hours

The season runs November 22 through December 24 and will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Main Market Hours

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: 4–9 p.m.

Thursday: 4–9 p.m.

Friday: Noon–9 p.m.

Saturday: Noon–9 p.m.

Sunday: Noon–8 p.m.

Special Holiday Hours

Wednesday, November 26: Noon–9 p.m.

Thursday, November 27: Closed (Happy Thanksgiving!)

Monday, December 15: 4–9 p.m.

Tuesday, December 16: 4–9 p.m.

Monday, December 22: Noon–9 p.m.

Tuesday, December 23: Noon–9 p.m.

Wednesday, December 24: Noon–4 p.m.

Thursday, December 25: Closed (Merry Christmas!)

Visit their website for more information!