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The German Christkindlmarkt 2024 is scheduled to be held from Nov 29th to Dec 1st at the Ft Garry Place Mall.
Please watch for announcements in relation to the event and any public health guidelines that may be in effect for the event.
Christmas Market - Christkindlmarkt
An old German tradition will delight your senses and warm your heart with local artists, German imports, German baking, entertainment, and much more.
Since 1985 the German-Canadian Congress has been holding their annual "Christkindlmarkt" (German Christmas Market), the oldest running German Christmas Market in Canada. New Paragraph
The market will be again at the Mall of Fort Garry Place and will be open on
Friday, November 29th, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm,
Saturday, November 30th, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and
Sunday, December 1st, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
There is no cover charge, however we do ask for a small donation of $2 / visitor to help us cover our costs to host the event every year. ( Rent, Entertainment, Equipment, Sanitation, Security etc)
Our usual favourites will be offered, such as German chocolates, "Stollen", "Glühwein" (mulled wine), and many other German specialities, as well as, some hot German foods. Entertainment is planned all weekend long and on over 60 tables Manitoba crafters and vendors are going to tempt visitors with those special Christmas gifts. German foods and cake can be purchased upstairs in the main hall and downstairs, where the café is located.
Funds made from the Winnipeg Christkindlmarkt is supporting German culture, education and events in Manitoba.
The Story of the Famous German Christmas Market
The Christmas Market still takes place every year in the time of the advent in many German speaking regions.
The origin of the Christmas Market goes back to the Middle Ages, where sales fairs and markets were held in the fall for citizens to purchase meats and other products needed in the winter months. The Christmas Market as we know it was first recorded in the 12th century, and became an important pre-Christmas tradition during the first half of the 20th century. The Christmas Market usually closes before Christmas Day.
A typical Christmas Market consists of many kiosks placed along the streets and on squares of a city. There you can buy baked goods and regional specialties like Printen, ginger bread, Berlin doughnuts, Spekulatius, Stollen. Sweets like chocolate figures, cotton candy, roasted almonds, hot maroons, as well as warm dishes are also being offered. Very traditional are also drinks like the “Gluehwein”, or hot wine, and the “Weihnachtsbock”, which is a especially rich tasting beer. Usually, you will also find kiosks selling Christmas decor, Christmas tree decor like glass ornaments, poinsettia, and tinsels, or even handcrafted goods like Christmas cribs, candle arches, and fume figurines.
At most Christmas Markets there will be an artistic and cultural entertaining program. A St. Nicolas, Santa Claus or the “Christkind” is there to give little presents to the children. Sometimes there will be groups of figures to depict the Christmas scene or fable scenes. And there are orchestras or drama groups, entertaining on a stage or the balcony of the townhall.
The big Christmas tree and festive lightning that stand in contrast to the darkness give the Christmas market a special charm.
Christkindlmarkt in Winnipeg
Since 1985, with the help of many volunteers, the German-Canadian Congress plans a Christkindlmarkt every year. This is meant to uphold German traditions and to collect funds for cultural events and purposes in Manitoba throughout the year. For example, the Congress often issues scholarships for skilled students, awards grants for study trips, supports the German school and other Educational institutions that relate to the German language or culture.
| Type | Discount | Table Fee (incl. GST) | GST Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Member | Member | $178.50 | $8.50 |
| Non-Member | None | $210.00 | $10.00 |
| Non-Member | Early Bird (31-08-24) | $204.75 | $9.75 |
| WIFI | $5.25 | $0.25 |