Day 1
Welcome to the Christkindl 25-day Advent Calendar! We're excited to have you join us each day!
Listen to today's concert, learn more about the Christmas Advent Calendar and browse the activities we have for today.
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Sing along when you hear this song: O Tannenbaum, German text, Ernst Anschütz, 1824
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!
Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit,
Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!
Christkindl-in-a-Box on Sale Now!
Enjoy all the tastes, smells & feelings of our Christkindl Market in your own home for only $50.
We've filled this year's box with many of your favourite things from Christkindl Market:
- Crowsfoot Smokehaus - $10 Gift Certificate
- Graffiti Restaurant - $10 Gift Certificate
- Piller's Fine Foods - Salami Whips
- Ritter Sport - Whole Hazelnut Bar
- Grainharvest Breadhouse - Marzipan Stollen
- Stickling's Bakery - Baseler Honey Slices
- Italo Foods - Bottle of Glühwein (non-alcoholic)
- Christkindl - Collectible 25 Years - Mug
- Christkindl - Collectible 2021 Wooden Ornament & Card
- Children's Craft Nutcracker - and Card
- Art Walk Booklet
- Ice-Stock Brochure
- Self-Guided Walking Tours - Flyer
Christkindl 25-Day Advent Calendar
Starting December 1st, open a new door each day of our Christkindl 25-day Advent Calendar to discover the joy! Each day is themed and filled with your favourite market memories and includes many festive activities for you to enjoy. Share the link with family and friends and listen to Today's Concert while sipping on a warm glass of Glühwein.
History of the Advent Calendar
Advent, from the Latin word adventus or coming, marks the days in December during which people prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Through history and in different cultures, Advent is celebrated in many special ways – fasting, blowing of horns, church services, and singing of hymns.
Many Christians mark Advent, and the weeks and days leading up to Christmas, by lighting candles on an Advent wreath, or by opening windows or doors on each of 24 days in an Advent calendar.
German Saying-of-the-Day
Erst eins, dann zwei, dann drei, dann vier,
dann steht das Christkind vor der Tür
First one, then two, then three, then four
then Christkindl is at the door
Meet Marko, The Prince of Polka
Today's Concert features Marko's performance at Christkindl Market in 2019
Marko Kecskemeti (aka: Prince of Polka) started playing the accordion when he was seven years old. A native to Kitchener Waterloo, he has always loved playing polkas and started entertaining at different community events during Oktoberfest. He has had the opportunity to play with some of his Oktoberfest idols such as Walter Ostanek, Seven Castles and Black Forest Band. Marko plays a variety of music and for the past four years has been a regular busker entertainer at the Kitchener Farmers Market. He has played at numerous Oktoberfest events, weddings, Siemens School of Music concerts, been on Rogers TV and plays at numerous retirement homes in KW and Guelph area.
During the month of December, he switches gears from Polka to Christmas music playing at the Grand River Freeport Hospital, Euro Foods and Christkindl Market. Marko continues to learn, volunteer and entertain the Kitchener Waterloo community promoting polka music and delivering Christmas music to all.
Get in touch or learn more by visiting Marko's social pages: Facebook, Instagram & YouTube
Nutcracker-of-the-Day
"Nutty" the Nutcracker
Artist: Karen Dozois, Waterloo ON
gkdozois@gmail.com l Instagram @doz_k_art
This nutcracker was inspired by traditions! With so many changes over the last two years, returning to a tradition felt like returning home, and so in that spirit, Mrs. Dozois created a traditional nutcracker. What is more exciting than including the enthusiasm of children to assist? So returning to her teaching roots of 33 years, Mrs. Dozois asked friend and colleague, Shelly Porteous and her Grade 3 students of Sandhills Public School to help her name this character. After discussion, voting and LOTS of laughter, the student vote was “NUTTY” an appropriate name indeed!
Karen is best known for her use of colour and movement in both her acrylic and watercolour paintings. Her gestural brushstrokes add energy and movement into her acrylic works while her layering of paint reflects the artist’s love of colour in her vibrant watercolours. Her style is nuanced by a range of inspirations including historic buildings, water scenes and wildlife. Since retiring, she has been a full-time artist.
View our whole collection in the Nutcracker Gallery and go visit the nutcrackers in all their glory displayed in downtown Kitchener on a self-guided walk.
Join Us On Social
Share your traditions!
Join our online community on Facebook and Instagram and share your favourite, funny or heartwarming tradition preparing for Christmas stories.
- How do you get ready for Christmas day?
- What's your favourite story about decorating your home for the holidays?
- What are some of your traditions to anticipate Christmas Day? Hopefully, Christkindl Marketplace is on your list!
For a chance to WIN, follow us on Instagram!
Follow us on Instagram and look for our "Eat Stay Play" contest posts. We'll tell you how you could be the Grand Prize winner and enjoy a night out on the town. Learn more here.
Crafts & Recipes
DIY Advent Calendars
Let the countdown begin! This year, spend some time getting creative making your own advent calendar. Here are 20 DIY Advent Calendars to hype you and your family up for Christmas.
Bake Your Own Cookie Advent Calendar
Grab the kids and head into the kitchen for this one! You'll need your favourite cookie cutters, a straw, icing and sprinkles to decorate and a string or ribbon for hanging. Follow these instructions: Chocolate gingerbread Advent calendar or use your own cookie recipe.
Be sure to share your creations with us on social!
Fresh Christmas Trees for Sale
T R E E S T R E E S T R E E S
Location: On King Street at the outdoor patio at Bobby O'Brien's @bobbyskitchener during Christkindl Market Dec 2-5, while supplies last. Trees are $45 no matter the size. A portion of every sale supports the St. John's Kitchen.
Christkindl Marketplace of Shops & Artisans
FOOD & BAKERY
CHRISTMAS & DECOR
ARTS & CRAFTS
TOYS & GAMES
CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES
JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES 
HEALTH & BODY
SHOP DTKWe attend every year, I was looking for our favourite vendor, their products are one of our family's annual traditions that I need to keep alive in 2020. Thank you. I called them today and was able to get what I needed. I'm going to have some happy family!!
Contact
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Christkindl Market
Kitchener, ON Canada
#ChristkindlCA #25yearsofChristkindl #KitchenerEvents #DTKlove #ExploreWR
Giving Back
The photos, videos and concerts presented on this website are a chance for visitors to relive Christkindl Markets from 1997 through 2019. In 2020 we were online only.
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