Christkindl Market brings a little holiday magic to downtown Kitchener
The Christkindl Market has returned to the streets of downtown Kitchener.
The holiday tradition got underway Thursday morning in front of city hall, along King Street West and Gaukel Streets.
“The Christkindl Market recreates the sights, sounds, smells and spirit of the Christmas festivals across Germany and other European cities,” the City of Kitchener said in a press release.
Every year about 3,500 people turn out for the event.
This year’s Christkindl Market includes dozens of local vendors, offering unique gift ideas including: art, home décor, clothing, accessories, jewelry, bath and body products as well as toys.
There will also be a large selection of sweet and savoury products for you or someone special on your holiday list.
The streets have been transformed for the Christkindl Market, with small kiosks set up side-by-side and a 20-foot Christmas tree on Gaukel Street, wreaths and other holiday decorations.
Thursday night’s kick off also included a performance by the Grand Philharmonic Choir and a festive sing-along.
The Christkindl Market will be open on Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visitors are also encouraged to bring along their ice skates. The rink at Carl Zehr Square officially opened Thursday, the first local outdoor rink ready this season. Skate rentals are available through the Kitchener Public Library at 85 Queen Street North.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.