Day 4
Our festival has several folklore characters who are gift givers. Today, let's get to know Christkindl.
Share Your Photos & Memories
Share your favourite photos and memories of your visits to a Christkindl Market over the years.
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History of Christkindl
Christkindl, pronounced Kriss-kindl, represents the Christ Child who in some European countries replaced St. Nicholas as the bringer of gifts at Christmas. Over time, the baby Jesus was changed into an angelic figure who wears a robe and wings. Unlike Santa Claus who comes down the chimney, the Christkindl flies into the house through a window to deliver gifts.
Traditionally the Christkindl, usually a teenage girl wearing a golden robe, a crown and wings, opens Christkindl markets around the world. If the name Christkindl sounds familiar to you, it may be because you’ve heard the similar name Kris Kringle – another name sometimes used for Santa Claus. In North America, the name Christkindl changed to Krischkindel, then to Kriss Kindel, then Kriss Kinkle and by the 1840s to Kriss Kringle. In the 1947 movie Miracle on 34th Street, the name Kris Kringle was reinforced in people’s minds – when a department store Santa Claus known as Kris Kringle insists that he is the one and only Santa Claus.
Want to know more about Christkindl, Kris Kringle and gift-givers from other cultures? Ask your local library to borrow:
The World Encyclopedia of Christmas, written by Gerry Bowler, published by McClelland & Stewart in 2000.
Meet The Schneider Male Chorus
Today's Concert features their performance at Christkindl Market in 2019
Founded in 1939, the Schneider Male Chorus has earned the reputation of being one of the most active and finest choruses in Southern Ontario. We annually perform many, many concerts at Seniors’ Residences, Long Term Care Facilities, Churches and for charity/fundraising events within the Region of Waterloo and the immediately surrounding areas.
Although the chorus is made up of non-professional singers, our aim has always been to maintain a high standard of performance. Our men devote many hours of rehearsal and performance to the joy of singing.
The Chorus performs a varied repertoire of sacred music, spirituals and secular music, from classical to modern composers.
Today, the Schneider Male Chorus is under the direction of Nancy Kidd, with Lori Danylchuk and Mark Goulet as accompanists.
Get in touch or learn more by visiting their website.
Visit our Christkindl Marketplace of Shops & Artisans
Food & Bakery
Christmas & Home Decor
Arts & Crafts
Toys & Games
Clothing & Accessories
Jewelry & Accessories
Health & Body
Shop DTKThank you, for bringing to our community the Christkindl Market, an event that has rekindled in the hearts of so many, the wonder and joy, the excitement and awe of those memorable Christkindl Markets in Germany so many years ago. Thanks for your vision, your dream and your spirit. You make it possible for people of another age, a new generation, and varied cultures to enjoy the magic. Our hearts quicken at the sound of the fanfare at the opening ceremony and our eyes grow misty to the sweet sound of the music and song that fills the winter air...
Contact
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Christkindl Market
Kitchener City Hall
200 King St. W. Kitchener, ON Canada N2G 4G7
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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.