🎄✨ Christkindl, Windows & Wiener Schnitzel: A Festive Chicago Triple! 🍽️🎅

About this event

🎄✨ Christkindl, Windows & Holiday Magic: A Festive Chicago Afternoon! 🎅🎁

30th Annual Christkindlmarket & Macy’s Holiday Windows B4 Walnut Room Lunch!

📅 Friday, November 27, 2026 — BLACK FRIDAY! 🕥 10:30 AM–1:00 PM 📍 Christkindlmarket — Daley Plaza 50 W. Washington Street, Chicago, IL

Let’s dive into the holiday season with a festive visit to the 30th Annual Christkindlmarket , followed by a stroll to admire Macy’s iconic State Street holiday windows! 🎄✨

Please remember—it’s Black Friday , so downtown will be busy. Public transportation is strongly recommended to avoid traffic and expensive parking.

This year, we’re starting our holiday adventure in the morning before heading to the Walnut Room for lunch! ❤️🎄

🗓️ TENTATIVE ITINERARY 📍 10:30 AM — Meet at Christkindlmarket (Daley Plaza) Meet outside the main entrance on Washington Street . There’s usually a line, but it moves quickly! Look for your friendly host. 🎅 🎄 11:00 AM–12:00 PM — Explore Christkindlmarket Enjoy the sights, smells and tastes of this beloved German-style Christmas market!

• Glühwein 🍷

• Holiday vendors and unique gifts 🎁

• Pretzels, bratwurst, blintzes and other festive treats 🥨

• Photos and browsing the ornaments and crafts ✨

Food, drinks and shopping are at your own expense. 🎅 12:00–1:00 PM — Macy’s Holiday Windows We’ll walk over to Macy’s on State Street to admire the legendary holiday windows and do a little window shopping. 📸🎄 🚶 1:00 PM — Head to the Walnut Room For those attending Part 2, we’ll head to Macy’s for our 1:15 PM Walnut Room reservation beneath the spectacular Great Tree! 🎄🍽️

👉 If the Christkindlmarket is too packed, we’ll simply head to Macy’s earlier.

🍽️ CONTINUING THE FUN: WALNUT ROOM LUNCH — SEPARATE EVENT! Want to join us for lunch beneath the Great Tree? ❤️🎄

The Walnut Room lunch is a separate event with its own RSVP and $4 non-refundable event fee . Attending this market walk does NOT automatically register you for lunch.

👉 Register separately for the Walnut Room event here: https://www.meetup.com/windy-city-wanderers/events/317059610 Please review the separate listing for its payment requirements and other details.

🎁 ABOUT CHRISTKINDLMARKET CHICAGO Since 1996, Christkindlmarket has brought old-world German charm to Chicago with international and local vendors, traditional food and drinks, live entertainment and its famous Glühwein.

Inspired by historic German Christmas markets, it has become a beloved Chicago holiday tradition. The smells of roasted nuts, pretzels, bratwurst and hot spiced wine make this a festive experience for locals and visitors alike! 🇩🇪🎄

🌐 Official Christkindlmarket Website: https://www.christkindlmarket.com/about/ 📍 Daley Plaza Market Information: https://www.christkindlmarket.com/daleyplaza/

🚇 TRANSPORTATION TIPS Public transportation is strongly recommended! Black Friday brings heavy traffic and busy garages, so taking the CTA is an easy way to avoid the driving headache. 📱 CTA Trip Planner: https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/ Downtown is accessible via the Red, Blue and Brown Lines, other CTA train lines, and numerous buses.

🚗 DRIVING & PARKING If you must drive, allow extra time for traffic and finding a parking spot. Metered parking may be available on Randolph, Monroe and nearby streets, but spaces are limited and restrictions vary. Always check posted signs.

🅿️ Christkindlmarket Parking Information: https://www.christkindlmarket.com/chicago-parking-info/ Compare garage rates and reserve ahead:

• SpotHero: https://spothero.com/

• ParkWhiz: https://www.parkwhiz.com/

❗ RSVP & NO-SHOW POLICY — PLEASE READ! To keep events fair and accessible for everyone:

• 3 no-shows without updating your RSVP before the event start time = a 3-month restriction from future events.

• Update your RSVP before the event starts if your plans change.

• If you’re running late or get lost, message the host directly.

• Not checking in with the host counts as a no-show.

• Repeated no-shows may result in removal from the group.

Please RSVP only if you genuinely plan to attend. If you can’t make it, update your RSVP promptly so I have an accurate headcount.

🎄✨ KICK OFF THE HOLIDAYS CHICAGO-STYLE! Christmas-market treasures, festive German treats, iconic holiday windows and lunch beneath the Great Tree — what better way to spend Black Friday in Chicago? 🎅🎁

Come stroll, shop, snack and soak up the holiday magic with our 1001 Meetup family! ❤️✨

From Windy City Wanderers!