15th Annual Kitchener Christkindl Market

There’s something special in the air when the Christkindl Market comes to town. For four days at the beginning of December, Kitchener City Hall is transformed into an authentic German Christmas Market, attracting over 40,000 visitors. The scents of cinnamon and grilled sausages, the sights of glittering lights, handcrafted gifts, and baked specialties combine with the sounds of Christmas carols and brass bands to create a magical time for families and friends.

So what is a German Christmas Market? Originally, around 1310 in Munich, it was a meeting place in front of a church where people came together to buy produce and wares from farmers. Traditionally held at the beginning of Advent, the Christkindl (Christ Child) was welcomed by the townspeople. Over the centuries the popularity of Christmas Markets has grown all over the world.

Kitchener’s Christkindl Market was founded the same year I moved here with my family 15 years ago from Germany. I was overjoyed as it brought back fond memories of the Christmas Markets we visited in Heilbronn and Brackenheim. Kitchener’s Christkindl Market gives people a chance to experience another culture without having to go through jet lag! A few years ago a good friend of mine from Montreal came to visit while the Christkindl Market was on. Within about an hour of meeting her at the airport in Toronto, we were at Kitchener City Hall under the huge Christmas tree eating Bratwurst (sausage) with sauerkraut on a bun and sipping hot Glühwein (mulled wine). She really felt as though she had landed in Germany!

At the heart of the Kitchener Christkindl Market is a dedicated group of volunteers led by Astrid Braun, an excellent role model for every event planner. Her calm voice, quick thinking, and ability to roll with whatever comes her way have helped the Christkindl Market to become one of the best community events ever! With 40,000 visitors and several hundred volunteers including organizers, entertainers, and helpers in various areas of the event, as well as many supportive sponsors, the details and logistics are endless.

A Few of my Favourite Christkindl Moments:

• Singing with the Grand Philharmonic at the Clock Tower in Victoria Park before the Candlelight Procession and Opening Ceremonies at City Hall.

• Seeing Tony Bergmeier receive thanks and recognition from Mayor Carl Zehr in front of a huge audience on opening night for having the vision and tenacity to follow through with his dream to create the Kitchener Christkindl Market 15 years ago.
• Meeting so many friends and acquaintances I may see only once a year, all brought together by this wonderful community event.
• Eating German sausage on a bun with sauerkraut, German potato pancakes, apple fritters and drinking Glühwein!
• Hearing the German Language School Concordia Choir, directed by Angelika Werner, who has been bringing her German School choir to the Market for 14 years!

 

• Seeing children, their parents and grandparents smiling and enjoying performances by the Transylvania Hofbrau Band, the KW Shuhplattlers and Folk dancers, and the Schwaben Jugend Gruppen.
• Learning about the centuries-old traditions of blacksmithing, and delicate woodworking.

• Above all, taking time out from a busy life to spend an hour or two in a gentle and peaceful place to celebrate the season and appreciate the simple things that bring family and friends together.

Photo Source: Kitchener Christkindl Market