Christkindl 2020 Advent Calendar

I was 'Homesick' for the sights, smells and sounds of Germany. I had been living in a small town in the Black Forest region while I was teaching on the Canadian Forces Base in Lahr. On my return to Stratford, I found the Kitchener Christkindl Market. Somehow, I did not feel quite as 'homesick' for the sights, smells and sounds of Germany! It is a wonderful experience, one I look forward to every year.
Pamela, Stratford

It was wonderful to hear from so many visitors and customers how much they enjoyed the market. I had many people tell me that they had lived in the KW region for decades and that this was their first time visiting Christkindl. They were very impressed with the Market, the entertainment and the vibe. Once again, thank you.
Sharon, Vendor

Think Oktoberfest, except that the beer is replaced with Christmas cheer.
Rebecca

Thank 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...
Charlotte

If you can't be at a Christmas Market in Germany, the Christkindl Market in Oktoberfest City - Kitchener, Ontario, is the closest it can get. They even have real, hot mulled wine, a staple at every German Weihnachtsmarkt. For us, visiting the market in Kitchener was a few hours back home away from home. Very nice!
Henning, London

My two-year-old son, was in total rapture as he looked upon a display of moving toys. A lady was watching my son's dreamy state. This kind-hearted lady said she wanted to buy it for my little guy, and that she was going to be thinking about him on Christmas morning as he unwraps his gift from her. I want her to know Santa does not have to be in a red suit with bells on and a beard. He could also be a she, a kind and special lady.
Krista

Vielen Dank dass Sie diese herrliche Tradition aus Deutschland herueber gebracht haben. Ich wuenschte wir koennten jaehrlich kommen um den Christkindl Markt zu besuchen. (Thank you for bringing this wonderful tradition over from Germany. I wish we could come every year to visit your Christkindl Market.)
Michael & Linda, Stanfield, Oregon

Great job! Christkindl Market saves us a trip to Germany.
Dietrich, Waterloo

Christkindl Market has a special place in my heart. I used to go every year with my Grandma as a little girl and now, I take my son every year. We look forward to getting our German cookies and treats and continuing a family tradition to officially start off our Christmas season.
Amanda

Kindling the Christmas Spirit - I remember the first year of the Market. Snow falling gently, beautiful German music playing outside, high quality Christmas goods for purchase from friendly vendors, hot-mulled cider, the nativity scene, the skaters - what atmosphere!!! The magic has hooked me ever since. So much different from the mall! Thanks for kindling the Christmas spirit.
Barb

As we entered the building, we saw so many beautiful Angels, and so many beautiful ornaments, so unique to this event that you couldn't buy them anywhere else. What a memory. My daughter and I attend this event each and every year. It's like our own tradition, just for the 2 of us. It's a night out together to bond, celebrate the holidays and of course to look for that very special Christmas ornament for this year.
Karen

Wonderful! My husband is German - was like home for him! Visiting is becoming a yearly tradition! Thanks!
Maryanne, Barrie

Experienceing your Advent Calendar Day 1 we are quite emotional and realize now how much we are going to miss it this year. There are many comments and memories about the Markets in Deutschland. We too have attended many and spent some time touring about the markets in the Erzgebirge! It is so true what they have said, Kitchener's Christkindl Market is quite a good replica of what people have experienced over the years in Germany. I hope other visitors enjoy the show and trip down memory lane each day in December! May this be a sentimental journey and happy diversion for you and your family daily during the month of December.
Linda, Kitchener

This was my first time at the market, my husband, friends and I enjoyed our day. I lived in Germany on a Canadian Forces Base as a child and every Christmas season until I was 10 years old we went to Christmas Markets. I was so excited to experience the Christkindl Market this year. It did not disappoint. We ate really great food, bought some Christmas gifts and entered the draw! I also loved hearing German being spoken, it has been many years. It was a beautiful day to bundle up and get outside to enjoy music and festivities. We will definitely make it a tradition.
Lindsy, St. Thomas

It is a magical experience for me as a vendor and all the visitors that attend. Everybody is happy and excited and enjoying all the events, food, atmosphere, entertainment, and the unique vendors wares. Thanks to those that had the vision to start Christkindl over 20 years ago, and all that played a role over the years to making Christkindl a success.
Peter Gordon, Artisan Toymaker at Christkindl Market since 2007

The 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
Onil, Whitby

My mom has taken my brother and I to the Christkindl Market ever since it first opened. We felt surrounded by love and happiness and enjoyed being around the German community - especially because we could not be with our family in Germany at Christmas. I still remember and still feel the warm feelings I felt that first Christkindl Market. I make sure I attend each year with my Mom and now take my daughter along as well. I hope she too will be able to attend for years to come and in the future, bring her children as well.
Lisa

Every year the City Hall in Kitchener transforms into a German style Christmas Market complete with food, carollers, ice skating and lots more. It did not disappoint. City Hall was decked out with vendors, food, Christmas decorations and entertainment to convince even the meanest Grinch that this truly is the best time of the year. WONDERS OF WINTER
MyTorontoMyWorld.com

It was amazing what wonders it did for us! From the lights and the music and the smells and watching everyone smiling and laughing... it instantly lifted our spirits and helped us keep them there through the whole holiday. Now we can't wait year to year for the first ads and we rush to mark it on the calendars. We always go the Friday night, no kids or friends, just us - to sit and take it all in. You don't know what you are missing until you have been there!
Tracey

Christmas spirit ...we like to see all of the vendors. It's a wonderful event and my Christmas spirit doesn't begin until I attend your festival.
Nicole, Toronto

My husband's family is German and up until we visited the Christkindl Market a few years ago I only had stories and some samplings of the different Christmas foods from Germany from his family. Until we visited your wonderful market I never really understood the fascination my husband has always had for German Christmas. Since that first visit my husband starts planning our next visit in October! He wouldn't miss it for the world and I have come to appreciate his heritage even more through experiencing this bit of Germany in Canada! Every year we bring our teenagers and invite our friends. Thank you for all your hard work - Christmas isn't Christmas for us now without the Christkindl Market!
Cindy & Rodney, Tottenham