Athenaeum Foundation Invites Holiday Cheer with 4th Annual Christkindlmarkt

The Athenaeum Foundation is hosting its fourth annual Christkindlmarkt, a holiday celebration that combines unique traditions and German culture, in the Rathskeller Biergarten on select evenings from Nov. 28 through Dec. 21.

“Christkindlmarkt invites Hoosiers to take part in many beloved German traditions this holiday season,” said Athenaeum Foundation President Craig Mince. “We’re excited to spotlight new vendors and activations while continuing everything that makes Christkindlmarkt great at a historic landmark in the heart of Mass Ave.”

The festival will serve a variety of German-inspired foods including hot raclette sandwiches, glühwein and platzchen as well as fan-favorite butterbeer. Amongst the traditional German foods and beverages, there will be live entertainment and transformative decorations.

The Athenaeum will be selling collectible glühwein mugs, great for carrying hot beverages around a wide variety of vendor huts. A total of 17 different vendors will be featured throughout the four-week activation. Artisans and merchants primarily from the Indianapolis area will sell holiday-specific items, local memorabilia, gifts and more.

This year, Christkindlmarkt will have a greenery center that will feature wreaths, poinsettias and other plants available for sale. S’mores kits will also be sold within the greenery located near the campfire.

This festival extends holiday celebrations to feature Krampusnacht on Saturday, Dec. 6, St. Nikolaus Fest on Sunday, Dec. 7, Hanukkah on Sunday, Dec. 14, Los Posadas on Saturday, Dec. 20, and Kwanzaa on Sunday, Dec. 21. Each celebration will feature music and festivities related to the holiday.

The market will be open Friday through Sunday, starting on Friday, Nov. 28.

Hours opening weekend, Nov. 28 – Nov. 30 (weekend after Thanksgiving):

·       Friday, Nov. 28: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

·       Saturday, Nov. 29: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

·       Sunday, Nov. 30: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Hours every other weekend, Dec. 5 - Dec. 21 will be:

·       Friday: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

·       Saturday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

·       Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For more information about the Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt, please visit athenaeumindy.org/events/christkindlmarkt.