History & Awards
A centuries-old German tradition
Christmas markets have been part of this festive time for centuries in Germany. They were usually held in front of churches and were looked at as part of a church visit. The oldest recorded market dates to 1310 in Munich, Germany. It was called "Nikolausdult" and was very different from the markets of today. It was an opportunity for farmers to come to town, do some shopping and at the same time, offer their wares.
The reformation of the church in the 16th century brought changes to the Christmas markets. Nikolaus was replaced by the Christkindl (Christchild) as the gift giver and the Nikolaus markets became Christkindl markets. This custom began in the Protestant areas of Bavaria with Nuremberg being the first city to call its market "Christkindlesmarkt." Munich, a Catholic city, changed its "Nikolausdult" to "Christkindlmarkt" in 1805.
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"This little town is built from wood and canvas. Its splendour's short, From Nuremberg's Prologue of the Christ Child, an essential part of the Christkindl Market opening ceremonies. |
In modern times, Christkindl Markets combine the festive atmosphere of heavenly choirs and succulent foods with gift shopping for such items as toys and other presents for children, crafts and gift items.
Kitchener, Ontario, is the natural location for Canada's original Christkindl Market. Originally known as Berlin, Kitchener was founded by German-speaking Mennonites who emigrated from Pennsylvania to till the virgin soil of what is now Waterloo Region. In fact, descendants of those original Mennonites can still be seen in the region driving their horse-drawn buggies and selling produce in local markets.
In 1996, Christkindl Market was brought to City Hall by founder Tony Bergmeier, to breathe life into downtown Kitchener. Today, over 35,000 visitors from across North America come to experience our award-winning event. Visit "Come to Germany" website.
In 1996
Christkindl Market was brought to Kitchener's City Hall by founder Tony Bergmeier. It was designed to breathe life into the core of downtown Kitchener. Today, over 35,000 visitors from across North America come to experience our award-winning festival.
Top 50 Festivals & Events
Christkindl Market continues to qualify as "Top 50" Festivals and Events in Ontario.
Awards include
Top 10 Events & Best New Festival
Christkindl Market was awarded ‘Best New Festival 1999’ by Festivals and Events Ontario and 'Top 10 Events in Ontario.' Other awards include: Oktoberfest Parade - Wunderbar (won 2X), Harvest, Sponsorship and Spirit and Enthusiasm. Kitchener Downtown Business Association (KDBA) - Arts and Culture Contribution.
Tell us about your personal experience.
Ontario Volunteer Service Award
Christkindl Market is only possible through the efforts of hundreds of volunteers. In 2013, Ontario Volunteer Service Award recipients included Seven (7) Christkindl Market Committee Members! *
(l to r) * Warren Stauch, * Monica Reid, * Yvonne Heidrich, John Milloy MPP, Astrid Braun President, * Herta Eichinger, * Gerhard Griebenow, * Richard Bruckeder (not in photo * Sonja Pratt)
"By almost all accounts, it was a banner year for those in the business of mulled wine, donkey shows and woollen crafts who hawked their goods at Kitchener City Hall in recent days. Organizers of the Christkindl Market, in its 11th year as a traditional German Christmas bazaar, think the five-day event drew more than 35,000 people.
"I'd say it's a record year," said Astrid Braun, president of the festival committee. "We had retailers downtown who kept the same hours as us this year, because we were so busy."
The festival, which included a dozen new vendors as well as German musical acts and dancers, also hauled in more than $4,000 for the Children's Wish Foundation.
For the partially outdoor market, the weather couldn't have been much better, Reid said. Early snow helped set the Christkindl mood, and it was cool but not frigid -- an inviting temperature for skating or sipping a cup of hot apple cider.
"Last year was the 10th anniversary, and we thought we couldn't top that," said Debbie Wurm, who sold baked goods from her Grainharvest Breadhouse. "But this was even bigger." - GREG MERCER, RECORD STAFF, 2007