# Chicago Christmas Market 2026 > Chicago Christmas Market in Chicago, Illinois: Nov 20 to Dec 24, 2026. Hours, closed days, admission and where it is, checked against the organizer. Source: https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/chicago-christkindlmarket/ Chicago, [Illinois](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/states/illinois/) Official name: Christkindlmarket Chicago Friday, November 20 to Thursday, December 24, 2026 | Dates | Friday, November 20 to Thursday, December 24, 2026 | | --- | --- | | Days Closed | None listed: open every day of its run | | Hours | Sunday to Thursday: **11 am to 8 pm** Friday and Saturday: **11 am to 9 pm** Open 11 am to 4 pm on Thanksgiving (Nov 26) and Christmas Eve. | | Where | Daley Plaza in the Loop 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602 [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=41.8839,-87.6302) | | Admission | Free admission | | Transit | Clark/Lake and Washington stations on the CTA are a short walk from Daley Plaza. | | Organizer | German American Events, LLC. [Official website](https://www.christkindlmarket.com/daleyplaza/) | | Plan Your Trip | [Hotels for November 21](https://www.stay22.com/allez/roam?aid=bobbleventures&lat=41.8839&lng=-87.6302&address=Chicago%2C%20IL%2C%20USA&checkin=2026-11-21&checkout=2026-11-22¤cy=USD&campaign=bcmus_chicago_christkindlmarket_top) Map [affiliate](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/affiliate-disclosure/) | ## Checked Against the Source These dates and hours come from the organizer's own website, not from another guide. - [Choose Chicago](https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/holidays/christkindlmarket-guide/), checked November 3, 2026 - [Christkindlmarket Chicago (German American Events), archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261015083508/https://www.christkindlmarket.com/daleyplaza/), checked November 3, 2026 - [Christkindlmarket (German American Events)](https://www.christkindlmarket.com/daleyplaza/), checked October 26, 2026 Outdoor markets can close early for weather. On the day, check the [official website](https://www.christkindlmarket.com/daleyplaza/). Something out of date? [Let us know](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/contact/). ## Chicago Christmas Market: Quick Answers ### When does Chicago Christmas Market open in 2026? It opens on Friday, November 20, 2026. ### When does Chicago Christmas Market close for the season? The last day is Thursday, December 24, 2026. ### What are Chicago Christmas Market's hours? Sunday to Thursday 11 am to 8 pm; Friday and Saturday 11 am to 9 pm. Open 11 am to 4 pm on Thanksgiving (Nov 26) and Christmas Eve. ### Is Chicago Christmas Market open every day? Yes. The organizer lists no closed days between Nov 20 and Dec 24. ### Is Chicago Christmas Market open on Thanksgiving? Yes, Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26) is one of its open days. Holiday hours can be shorter: see the hours above and check the organizer's page on the day. ### Is Chicago Christmas Market open on Christmas Eve? Yes, Christmas Eve (Thursday, December 24) is one of its open days. Holiday hours can be shorter: see the hours above and check the organizer's page on the day. ### Where is Chicago Christmas Market? Daley Plaza in the Loop, in Chicago, Illinois. The address is 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602. ### Is Chicago Christmas Market free, or do you need a ticket? It is free to get in. ## About Chicago Christmas Market Chicago's original German-style Christmas market, running since 1996, fills Daley Plaza in the Loop with wooden huts selling ornaments, gifts, bratwurst and mulled wine in collectible mugs. Entry is free. ## Where Is Chicago Christmas Market? Daley Plaza in the Loop, 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602. The other dots are nearby markets. ## Getting There, Parking and More ### By Transit Two CTA stations are within about a block of Daley Plaza. Washington on the Blue Line (19 N Dearborn St) has an entrance from the Richard J. Daley Center through the Pedway. Clark/Lake (124 W Lake St) is served by the Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Pink and Purple lines, and CTA lists it as accessible. In October 2026 the Pink and Green lines were interrupted by the closure of the Lake Street Bridge for city reconstruction work, with no end date given, so check CTA alerts before relying on those two lines. Both stations are roughly 0.1 to 0.15 miles from the plaza in a straight line. Source: [CTA](https://www.transitchicago.com/station/wasb/), [page 2](https://www.transitchicago.com/station/clkl/), checked October 28, 2026. ### Accessibility The organizer says all of its Christkindlmarket locations, Daley Plaza included, are ADA accessible. Pets are generally allowed in the outdoor parts of the market but not inside the walk-in cabins or tents, and the organizer suggests keeping an eye on smaller pets in the crowd. It publishes no detail on surfaces, restrooms or quiet hours. Source: [Christkindlmarket (German American Events), archived copy of 8 Aug 2026](https://web.archive.org/web/20260808174742/https://www.christkindlmarket.com/faqs/), checked October 28, 2026. ### Quiet Times to Visit The organizer says weekdays are less crowded than weekends, especially in the morning and early afternoon. Opening day, Friday, November 20, is also the night of the city's tree lighting in Millennium Park a few blocks east, so expect a busy Loop that evening. Source: [Christkindlmarket (German American Events), archived copy of 8 Aug 2026](https://web.archive.org/web/20260808174742/https://www.christkindlmarket.com/faqs/), checked October 28, 2026; [Choose Chicago](https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/holidays/top-chicago-winter-holiday-traditions/), checked October 28, 2026. ### What Else Is On - **City of Chicago Christmas Tree lighting:** Friday, November 20, 2026, 6 pm, Millennium Park. The tree stays up until January 10, 2027. - **McCormick Tribune Ice Rink**, Millennium Park: from November 20, 2026 into February 2027; admission is free, skate rental costs extra. - **Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon:** November 13, 2026 to March 7, 2027. - **Magnificent Mile Lights Festival:** Saturday, November 21, 2026, parade at 5:30 pm and fireworks at 7:15 pm on Michigan Avenue. - **Chicago Thanksgiving Parade:** Thursday, November 26, 2026, 7:45 to 10 am on State Street. - **Wreathing of the Lions** at the Art Institute: November 27, 2026. Source: [Choose Chicago](https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/holidays/top-chicago-winter-holiday-traditions/), checked October 28, 2026. ### Hotels Near Chicago Christmas Market Daley Plaza is in the middle of the Loop, so anywhere in the Loop is a short walk. River North, just across the Chicago River to the north, and the eastern edge of the West Loop are both within about a mile. Streeterville and the South Loop are a longer walk or one or two L stops away. **Staying the night?** [See hotels near Chicago Christmas Market for Saturday, November 21](https://www.stay22.com/allez/roam?aid=bobbleventures&lat=41.8839&lng=-87.6302&address=Chicago%2C%20IL%2C%20USA&checkin=2026-11-21&checkout=2026-11-22¤cy=USD&campaign=bcmus_chicago_christkindlmarket_link) [affiliate link](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/affiliate-disclosure/), or browse them on the map. Map by Stay22. It loads only when you press the button. [affiliate](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/affiliate-disclosure/) ## Questions People Ask **Which L station is closest to the Chicago Christkindlmarket?** Washington on the Blue Line, at 19 N Dearborn St, has an entrance from the Daley Center through the Pedway. Clark/Lake, on six lines, is about a block north. In October 2026 the Pink and Green lines were interrupted at the Lake Street Bridge, so check CTA alerts. **When is the Christkindlmarket in Chicago least crowded?** The organizer says weekdays, especially mornings and early afternoons, are less crowded than weekends. **Can I bring my dog to the Christkindlmarket?** The organizer says pets are generally allowed in the outdoor areas but not inside the walk-in cabins or tents. **Is the Daley Plaza market wheelchair accessible?** The organizer says all its Christkindlmarket locations are ADA accessible. Clark/Lake station is listed by CTA as accessible. **What else is on near the market on opening night?** The city's Christmas tree lighting is in Millennium Park at 6 pm on Friday, November 20, 2026, the market's first day. ## Have You Been to Chicago Christmas Market? Tell other visitors whether it was worth the trip. One vote per market, no account needed. ## Other Christmas Markets Nearby [One of a Kind Holiday Show Chicago, Illinois Dec 3 to 6, 2026 Under a mile away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/chicago-one-of-a-kind-holiday-show/) [Jack Frost Christmas Pop-Up Fulton Market Chicago, Illinois 2026 dates not announced yet Under a mile away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/chicago-jack-frost/) [Randolph Street Holiday Market Chicago, Illinois Nov 14 to Dec 13, 2026 Open Saturdays and Sundays only. Closed Sat, Nov 21, Sun, Nov 22, Sat, Nov 28, Sun, Nov 29, Sat, Dec 5, Sun, Dec 6 2 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/chicago-randolph-street-holiday-market/) [Wrigleyville Christmas Market Chicago, Illinois Nov 20 to Dec 31, 2026 Closed Fri, Dec 25 5 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/chicago-wrigleyville/) [Swedish Christmas Market Chicago Chicago, Illinois Dec 4 to 6, 2026 7 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/chicago-swedish-american-museum-julmarknad/) [Evanston Holiday Market Evanston, Illinois Dec 12 to 13, 2026 10 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/evanston-palmhouse-holiday-market/) [Christmas Markets Near Chicago](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/near/chicago/) [More Christmas Markets in Illinois](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/states/illinois/)