Day 14
The 1st Annual Christkindl Market was in 1997, together let's relive a few of our special memories.
Share your Christmas Market Stories
Join our community on Facebook.
This photo features the most famous Christkindl Market,
Nuremberg, Germany which dates back to the mid 16th century
and celebrates the Advent season.
Learn more about the most famous Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg.
Look at more pictures of Markets from around the world here.
Memories of our 20th Annual Festival.
Read Grand Magazine's special 8-page feature from 2015, written by CORAL ANDREWS.
The Christmas Market in Merano, Italy.
History of the Christmas Markets
Many of the Christmas traditions we follow today in North America have their roots centuries ago in Germany. Christmas markets have been part of this festive time of year for centuries in Germany. The oldest recorded market dates to 1310 in Munich. 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, sell their wares.
The reformation of the church in the 1500s brought changes to 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 largely Catholic city, changed its Nikolausdult to "Christkindlmarkt" in 1805.
Meet The Queen Street Singers
Today's Concert features their performance at Christkindl Market in 2019
The Queen Street Singers began in 2013 with five members and a shared love for singing. Their name stems from members rehearsing and working on Queen Street. They sing jazz, gospel, spirituals, and pop music.
They are under the capable direction of Ann-Marie MacDairmid, and are a vocal ensemble that exists for the enjoyment of singing, practicing and performing. They are available for a nominal fee to churches, community groups and special occasions. They are a singing group who sing to raise the money for new musical instruments and to meet other expenses. And, sometimes they even sing for their supper.
Music brings everyone together and they look forward to continuing and growing in this community. For more information about the Queen Street Singers, visit their Facebook page.
Join Us On Facebook
Share your traditions!
Join our online community on Facebook and share your favourite, funny or heartwarming Christmas Market stories.
- What are your favourite Christmas Market traditions?
- Tell us about the activities you enjoy the most at the Market.
- How long have you been coming to the City of Kitchener's Christkindl Market?
- What are some of your other favourite Christmas Markets?
Activities
Rick Steves' European Christmas
Take a virtual trip with Rick Steves and discover colourful, musical celebrations of Christmas across Europe, from England to Wales, France, Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. You'll see the bright Christmas markets, hear local choirs, share holiday traditions with families and even play in the snow.
The Christkindl Market
Let's relive some memories in this two-minute video showcasing our Christkindl Market. This video was produced for CGIQ by a student in the School of Creative Industries Radio and Journalism Program at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario.
In Memory Of
Memories of our original Postmaster, Konrad Uwe Maiterth
Growing up in a communist country, collecting stamps was a hobby every kid dreamed of. He started this at 12 years of age and his geographic and historic horizon expanded in a way that helped him find friends around the world - and through his friends found a life of freedom in Kitchener. In 2001 he started Christkindl's Post Office with its own official Canada Post round cancels. His dreams came to a halt November 12, 2016.
In Memory of an incredible volunteer, artist and valued Christkindl Market helper, Vic Braun
We've missed Vic since October 6, 2016. He was a world traveller, dedicated volunteer, awarded Senior of Distinction by City of Kitchener, a gifted artist, and always ready with a helping hand for Christkindl Market President, Astrid Braun. Seen here helping kids making a wooden craft at the Kinderecke.
Memories of an outstanding artisan and vendor, Dieter Heller
The authentic artists were at the centre of our indoor booths. Dieter's fine Eastern German hand-crafted woodwork of authentic pyramids and Swiboggen were at the centre of Christkindl's indoor booths for 17 years. He and his wife Renate were interviewed by Grand Magazine. (Read the article here.) Dieter said his last goodbye March 15, 2019.
December 1st you will be able to visit our Christkindl Marketplace of Shops & Artisans
Food & Bakery
Christmas & Home Decor
Arts & Crafts
Toys & Games
Clothing & Accessories
Jewelry & Accessories
Health & Body
Shop DTKThe Christkindl Festival has been, and still is, a very special part of our Christmas celebration. We always get excited and look forward to basking in the nostalgic glow of the warm hospitality, family atmosphere, fantastic food, great products and the angelic sounds of the Christmas choir. Thank you for all the wonderful, lifelong memories - for ourselves and more importantly for our children. To another 100 years of Christkindl Market, Kitchener! Frohe Weihnachten
Contact
e2eae251i5@G40Nu.aqvEi-Jwi5V37qp| | Contact Form
Christkindl Market
Kitchener City Hall
200 King St. W. Kitchener, ON Canada N2G 4G7
#ChristkindlCA #KitchenerEvents #DTKlove
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 are online only.