Chicago's Christkindlmarket is rated the best Christmas market in the U.S.

And it's ranked the third best in the world!

Photo byAbel Arciniega/Choose Chicago

(CHICAGO) No second city mentions here. Chicago gets the number standing when it comes to Christmas markets.

It's one of Chicago's most beloved and popular Christmas traditions. Christkindlmarket offers up classic German and European food, live music, shopping, and festive drinks at three locations throughout Chicagoland.

Top 25 Christmas markets in North America

Recently, a list from Big 7, a top global travel site, ranking the top 25 Christmas markets in North America gave Christkindlmarket top billing. The site said, "The Windy City comes alive with a huge Bavarian affair, based on Nuremberg’s medieval Christmas market."

It's the second year in a row the Chicago market has received top honors from the travel site.

Photo byAbel Arciniega/Choose Chicago

Number three in the world

And in another recent list from Big 7 that ranked the top 50 Christmas markets in the world, Chicago's market came in third.

If you'd like to see the first and second on the list, you'd have to head to Europe for Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin in the top spot and Germany Winter Wonders in Brussels, Belgium at number two.

Where to attend Christkindlmarket in 2022

The market is in three locations this year:

• Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington Street, Chicago
• Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark Street, Chicago
• Aurora RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora

What to expect at the market?

According to the website:

"The German Christmas Market provides a safe outdoor experience in Chicago for the whole family that is always admission-free. The smell of roasted nuts, fresh pretzels, bratwurst and hot spiced wine, the sound of festive music, and the glimmer of sparkling Christmas ornaments, all in a cozy atmosphere – a visit to the market takes all your senses on a journey! Visitors can explore vendor products from around the world, participate in special events, and enjoy the unique shopping experience."

What to do while you're there?

You could pick up a special Christkindlmarket Dancing Mug and Penguin Mug.

You could also grab yourself a Creme Brulee croissant roll, like the one that went viral on TikTok. Cai.Eats.Chi posted a video of a scrumptious-looking roll that she picked up at La Boulangerie & Co at the Daley Plaza location. La Boulangerie is a traditional French bakery and cafe located in Ravenswood, Lakeview, and Logan Square.

Get hours and other details at the Christkindlmarket website.

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