Friday, December 2, 2016

Kitchener’s Christkindl Market marks 20 years as Canada’s oldest German Christmas festival



(News Release)

KITCHENER, Ontario -- Christkindl Market of Kitchener, Canada’s original festival of German Christmas, celebrates 20 years of creating wonderful family holiday memories; recreating the tastes, smells, sights, sounds and traditions of German Christmas Markets.

For 4 days in December, Kitchener City Hall transforms into an outdoor fanfare of food, shopping and entertainment for the whole family. Known as Christkindl Market, this event recreates the experience and spirit of the traditional festivals found throughout Germany that have occurred annually for 700 years.

A truly unique experience, Kitchener’s Christkindl Market has consistently been rated one of the Top 100 Festival/Events in Ontario and is attended by 40,000 visitors annually. Admission is always free and includes 30 performances by choirs, bands and dance groups. Plus, there’s something for all ages to enjoy.

Food and Shopping
Christkindl Market offers a one-of-a- kind holiday shopping experience and in celebration of its 20th
Anniversary, it has expanded to more than 90 food and gift vendors – many of whom are clustered
within tiny huts on Carl Zehr Square and along King Street.


Grab a bratwurst, schnitzel or pretzel and stroll the Square to find unique, European-themed gifts and decorations you won’t find in any chain store. Like the outdoor markets of Europe, the irresistible smells of fresh baked pastries, apple fritters, funnel cakes, traditional mulled Glühwein and stick-to-your-ribs German cuisine cooked outside in the open air will have you drooling.

Culture and Traditions
Christmas markets in the central square of their cities and towns made-up of tiny wooden huts where
cooks, artisans and merchants could peddle their wares is a 700-year old German tradition.


As Canada’s original festival of German Christmas, Christkindl Market has honoured tradition with a
candlelit lantern parade, lighting of the Christmas tree, live nativity scene, carol singing and classic
European Christmas characters passed down through generations.


Founded by Canada’s largest German community, Kitchener’s Christkindl Market is a rare and authentic glimpse of timeless European Christmas traditions to be experienced year after year. 
 
Entertainment
With more than 30 entertainers there’s something new to experience happening every hour over the
4-day festival. From German brass brands and philharmonic choirs, to classical European folk dancing,
there’s always something to see and hear throughout the day.


This year, Christkindl is pleased to announce special guest performances by Phoenix & Mercedes (members of the international pop group sensation Courage My Love) which will be sure to appeal to the youth. Live blacksmith demonstrations add to the excitement.

For the Children
Christkindl Market is a wonderful, one-of-a-kind venue to create lasting memories with your children
and there’s so much for them to see and do. Puppet shows and a Garden Scale model railway will
captivate everyone.


Weekends, both parents and children will enjoy the hands-on workshops to create a wooden craft that will be cherished family mementos for years to come.


About Christkindl Market
For over 700 years German communities have erected Christmas markets in the central square of their cities and towns, where people could meet to share songs, food and gifts. Launched in 1996 by the oldest and largest German community in Canada, the Christkindl Market continues that tradition, assembling more than 90 vendors indoors on the 1st and 2nd floors of City Hall and in huts outside on the square and along King Street.


Vendors include local artisanal handicrafts, decorations, jewellery and food, with an emphasis on Old World


European theme and flavour
Christkindl Market has again been awarded one of the Top 100 Festivals/Events in Ontario, it attracts 40,000 visitors over 4 days and has been Canada’s original since 1996. It runs from December 1 to 4, 2016.


For more information, visit www.christkindl.ca

NOTE: Christkindl Market has assembled a 20th Anniversary Exhibition of history, displays, video stories and photos. “Christkindl Market Memories: Celebrating 20 Years” runs November 1-30 at Berlin Tower ARTSPACE.

Email: info@christkindl.ca
Dates: Christkindl Market runs December 1-4, 2016
Website: christkindl.ca
Social: Twitter.com/ChristkindlCA #ChristkindlCA #KitchenerEvents
Facebook.com/ChristkindlCanada

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