Carmel Christkindlmarkt

This is the most authentic German Christmas market I've ever been to in the US. It truly felt like I was back in Germany. I wish I came across this sooner, as 2024 was the first year I attended. However, I will now be going yearly with my family. Everything was so nice and all the vendors had great selections. The lines were a bit long, but that's expected.

We enjoyed our recent visit to Carmel. It included a visit to Christkindlmarkt. The village is lovely and reminded us of a Christmas movie. It had an abundance of food vendors as well as shops with beautiful German items, a shop to visit Santa, large ice skating rink, and two live reindeer with a sleigh. There is free parking close by. The lines for food were long but they were moving well.

Life long Indiana residents who tried this market for the first time (Dec 2024). It didn’t disappoint. It was cold so we enjoyed the Belgian hot cocoa and spiced ciders. Both really good. The brats were just ok. The potato spirals were yummy. Being there at dusk was neat because we got to see it while it was night and then also when it was dark, the lights were really neat. There’s lots of parking nearby and public restrooms too

I cannot believe this amazing holiday event is in our town! Even as someone with food allergies, there was something I could eat! Love the Gluhwein and the kids went skating several times. I have collected all the ornaments and the mugs and even have the train mug (I hope there will be more in this series). Love the musical guests and the atmosphere. NO charge to enter! The only gentle suggestions I have is to put more of the barrel seats around. Even though I live close and get there quick, I have never been able to get seating in one. Maybe reservations for those? Also, we want more! Could you not expand the huts across Third Street to the green over there where the concerts are held? Thank you for another wonderful year!

Ice skating was amazing. You trade your shoes for skates, which helps with a mess of shoes all over the ground. The tickets we got were for a certain time frame, but we were able to go in a couple hours early! Food and drinks were incredible, you could definitely go back a few times in the season to try everything. The shops were all German themed and pretty pricey, so I feel like featuring some local shops with affordable popular gifts like candles would be great!

Awesome festival! Lots of great German food and art to enjoy! It was very crowded, but that didn't stop our enjoyment of the arts and crafts! We did think the lines for food were too long to wait. Bought German paper Star ornaments!

We drove from 2 hours out of town and spent the night in Carmel for the Christmas Market. We went at night and the next afternoon for dinner and lunch. The drinks and bratwursts were amazing. We came when it was cold, but wore layers and stood near heat sources. I loved how there was building access at the theatre to warm up. Will definitely come back next year to collect a new mug and drink more mulled wines.

I’ve been to some of these in Europe and one in Chicago and I have to say this one is very very well done and I feel like every year it gets a little bit better like this year they added a reindeer and they expanded it. Probably buy an extra thousand square feet maybe. Hard to tell but definitely is great for the family. Great for dates. Highly recommend. If you don’t mind the cold, I think you can even get some drinks with friends and some live music. Right

This was our second year attending the Christkindlmarkt and we had a great time. Our only regret was waiting until later in the day to start our adventure. The crowds had increased significantly by the time we arrived. However, the lines were well managed and the atmosphere was full of holiday cheer. We are already looking forward to year #3!

Christkindlmarkt is the trendy place to be between Thanksgiving and Christmas and is worth a visit. The market, on the grounds of the Allied Solution Center for Performing Arts, includes booths filled with German themed foods, ornaments and kitschy trinkets. There is a large and popular skating rink. Santa was on hand to visit with kids and discuss their lists. We appreciated the opportunity for the kids to do a craft. The market was packed with visitors during our visit. Many people huddled around nice fire pits to warm their hands as they ate brats and sipped beer. I had a German pretzel, which was warm and huge and a Beir beer. I thought the food was good, but pricy and we had to stand in multiple long lines to get food and drink. The people were friendly and welcomed us with maps of the market layout. Plan an extra 20 minutes to find parking. We went 30 minutes before opening, and still sat in line to find a space. Parking is a mess.

This was my first year at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. And it won't be my last!!! I felt like being back at home in Germany when I walked across the Christkindle market. The cozy Christmas atmosphere, German wooden booth with delicious German foods and treats. Glühwein and Feuerzangenbowle ( you must try it!! It's delicious!!). I am so happy to have found this Christmas market. I also loved the ice skating ring in the middle of the market. If you want to experience a piece of Germany - this is it! Tip: I would recommend to go early. The market gets very! crowded. And even though there were no pet signs I saw people bringing their dogs. I can only imagine how frightened they must be walking in those crowds seeing legs and feet only. The market is very! pricey. $14 for a Glühwein in a mug and about $13 for a brat, hot chocolate costs a whopping $8.00. Yikes. Parking is ok. Don't spend $10 on those parking lots leading to the Christkindle market. There is free public parking and a parking garage right of Veterans Way. From there you walk only about 3 minutes to the market.

For years I had been searching for a Christmas market in the States that truly captures the magic of a German Christkindlmarkt. Well...I have to search no more! The Carmel Christkindlmarkt is the real deal! It would even be considered one of the nicest markets were it to be located in Germany! From the beautiful booths and the amazingly talented artisans to the scrumptious Glühwein offerings and the mouth-wateringly DELICIOUS food! This year we tried the Raclette, the Döner Kebap and the roasted Champions with the latter being our absolute favorite! We will be back again next year!

If there's anything that will get me outside on a cold December day, it's good food--and the Carmel Christkindlmarkt delivers with a wide selection of German cuisine and numerous flavors of gluhwein. That said, you'll need to brave large crowds and long lines to enjoy it, and be prepared for steep prices. My husband wanted gluhwein, but the line was so long he settled for an $8 cup of hot chocolate--which we watched them make by adding powder to hot water. (I really hope it wasn't just Swiss Miss...) The food we tried was yummy, but $45 for cheesy potatoes and sausage feels pretty steep. The crowd management is another drawback. At times, it feels like you're cattle being herded through the aisles, which is made worse by strollers and people walking their dogs. I wish the market would establish some rules, improve queue management, and maybe take a page from Chicago's Christkindlmarkt: fence off the market and control entry so there's actually some elbow room. It's a fun attraction that I'm glad is nearby, but I'd think twice about going on the weekends if you can avoid it.

A German Christmas market, with a vibrant bustling vibe. This is a great destination to hang out with friends and family as well as to get your Christmas shopping done. There are many vendors selling German cuisine including Bratwurst, Pretzel, Dumplings, Strudels, Chocolate and Alcoholic drinks. You can find variety of German crafts as well. There is a live music and an ice skating ring there. Definitely recommended

Carmel's Christkindlmarkt was a favorite date spot in college, so we've gone a number of times over the years. Since then, it's only gotten more popular! All the food is delicious, and the vendors go out of their way to make it as authentically German as possible. Live music is played regularly, and vendors sell a variety of holiday treats and creations. The best time to visit is at night, when the entire market is lit up with Christmas lights. These days, it's a little far for us to travel, but it's still worth it. Definitely check it out this holiday season!

This wasn't what we expected at all, but in the best way! It's less like a festival and more like a traditional market. It's smaller, but that doesn't make it any less magical. Every booth was full of handmade items from all over the world. Every food stall had something unique and homemade. The prices on food and drink were extremely reasonable and we loved sipping our mulled wine and watching the ice skaters. This is truly a wonderful little experience and will make for the perfect romantic Christmas date for years to come.

I cannot recommend this Christmas market enough. I wish I had more eyes to look everywhere. It was like walking into a German Town. It was so well organized, beautifully decorated and not crowded at all. It was just magical. I recommend grabbing a Gluhwein first (Baked Apple) and then walking around the quaint shops - The lace ornaments were my favorite. They had plenty of 'heat stations' to warm up. We had Bratwurst and Crepe - Both were delicious. I can see why this Christmas Market is ranked #3 in the US.

Such a fun Christmas activity to do with the whole family!! The weather wasn't too cold and I appreciated that there was plenty of parking nearby to this event. We decided to go ice skating as a family and that was fun. I would recommend you reserve your time for skating online before the event to save some time. There were some many food and drink options to try but the highlight of the night was definitely drinking a peppermint hot chocolate while listening to the live music. Love coming to this event every single year!

Stopped by Sunday around 6pm and it was pretty busy but not so busy we couldn't enjoy ourselves! Lecker (delicious) food and drinks everywhere and lots of shops to choose Christmas gifts from - we had a great time and can't wait to come back next year! Side note: if you're not familiar with the area in general, a lot of the items being sold (including food and beverage) can be pretty pricey so keep that in mind when planning to visit!

This was our second year coming to this wonderful market. The atmosphere is amazing. You can almost feel the holiday spirit. The lights and decor and the ice skating rink bring it all together. The food is delicious and there's a good variety. There's something for everyone. They serve local beers, wine, hot coco, apple cider and soft drinks. There are lots of vendors to shop at for Christmas gifts or keepsakes. However I do wish the prices were a bit cheaper. The live music and performances are incredible. Lots of places to warm up by which is a plus. I would said biggest downfall is lack of restrooms which made for extremely long lines.

In comparison to the Chicago Christkindlmarkt this was so much better! Though it was a little crowded it was still easy to get around. We didn't wait more than two minutes for drinks or food. The shops looked authentic.

We were in town for soccer and were so happy that we could visit on opening day. We took part in the opening ceremony, which was just lovely. Loved the countdown with the Christkind ringing the bell! Also loved the alpenhorn players. We took lots of photos because of just how beautiful everything was. My first stop was the line for the raclette sandwich. I did wait about 45 minutes, but it was worth it. Absolutely phenomenal. Don't let the stinky cheese smell deter you. My husband had the raclette with the brat and I had the salami. Amazing. We had the Belgium hot chocolate as well and WOW. This was the best hot cocoa I have ever had. Chocolatey and buttery almost. So so good. We shopped the different booths and found some beautiful German made ornaments. I also had to get a Carmel Christkindlmarkt hat. We didn't have time to take part in ice skating, but it looked like a lot of fun. Lots of interactive things for the kids to do as well. The glühwein in a boot was delicious as well. Nothing was cheap, but we do not go into a Christkindlmarkt looking to save money. Everything was amazing quality and the experience was unmatched.

It's cute and definitely worth visiting if you're in the area. I will note, the market is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. This is stated on their website but figured in case anyone missed that... Now onto my actual review. Keep in mind, I live in Chicago and come to visit family in Carmel somewhat often, so I will be comparing Carmel's to Chicago's main Christkindlmarkt in the loop. (Chicago has 2 Christkindlmarkts) I went on a Wednesday evening, and I wasn't overly crowded. There were lines for drinks at the pyramid, Raclette, and a few other booths but other than that, there weren't any lines. I was pleasantly surprised since Chicago's pretty much always has lines. Prices - My repeated complaint about Carmel in general (not just the Christkindlmarkt) is that people have the gall to charge Chicago prices for something of equal or lesser quality than something I can find in Chicago. It's never better. But Chicago is way more expensive land, taxes, etc so why are Carmel's prices just as high?!? Makes no sense to me. Food - Some of the food is solid, others disappointing. The potato pancakes? Meh. Chicago does it much better. Fish sandwiches? Solid. I recommend. Walking waffle? Delicious. I also recommend and they even have gluten free. Glühwein? I have no clue what they buy but I find it underwhelming. Chicago does this better but with fewer flavor options. Hot cider though? I do recommend! Good sh*t! Activities - they have a kids section and a woodcarver from Germany. This part is unique and cool. Definitely way more kid friendly! Tables - I give it to ya Carmel - ya win on this one hands down. There's more tables where you can actually sit (mostly around the perimeter) and they have the little warmers by them too. A+ There's an ice skating rink in the middle which is cool. I didn't try it out but it's amusing to people watch. All in all, if you're in the area, I do recommend going but the Chicago one has a special place in my heart for having way better food and drink. However, Carmel definitely is more kid friendly and has more convenient people spotting opportunities.

I was in town and decided to swing by since this market is hyped as one of the best. There were throngs of people on a bright weekend day. There were many shops selling festive holiday items, including two legit German expert wood carvers. There's also a good variety of food and drink. There are options for children (hot chocolate and spiced cider) as well as alcohol beverages (beer, mulled wine) for adults to try. I only got the potato pancakes as the lines were very long and it seemed like some offerings were on the expensive side to boot. The potato pancakes (Kartoffelpuffer) were ok; they generously salt the outside but not the mixture so the inside is bland. The outside is crispy to contrast with the tender inside, and there's a great onion flavor that shines through. It's perfect with sour cream. There's a great kid's area with crafts, photo opportunities, and an expert wood carver working on his craft. If you're feeling the holiday spirit, there's both a children's passport stamp book with activities and a grown up version with more involved trivia that involves reading the little facts posted on the side of the huts. There are prizes for completion: gummies for children and small trinkets for the trivia version. There's also daily shows/events so you can keep on coming back for more. It's a good way to spend an afternoon. The only thing I would change is that they offer more restrooms. There are two locations and both of them had long lines for the women's room (with short to no line for the men). I think for an event that draws families with small children, more restrooms would help avert accidents.

We went to silkellitous for our hot chocolate and probably the best selection to get your hot chocolate from. it was delicious and just the right temperature you didn't burn your mouth drinking it. Their service was good and pretty quick for the amount of people working there. I believe it was $5-$8 dollars per cup which isn't bad especially for how much you get. Will definitely go here again next year!

Having the 3x winner of USA Today's Best Christmas Market in the neighborhood is terrific! @ CarmelChristkindlmarkt There is something for the entire family. Ice-skating is a multi-generational activity when it is finally cold enough. In the meantime, there are hands- on activities for the children in shops #62 & Santa Sundays in shop #63! @TGAKIndy @Frankenmuth (MI) Clock Company #MarketMagic

The Carmel Christkindlmarkt is an absolute must for this holiday season. With bright decorations, sparkling lights, and the happy hum of guests, the festive mood is infectious. Even if it gets really crowded, the market's lively spirit is only enhanced by the commotion. Notwithstanding the crowds, the staff members' kindness and tolerance really make them stand out. One of the market's highlights is the food selection, which is well worth tasting. The Döner Kebab and the sweet crepes were my favorites. There is something for every taste thanks to the diversity, whether you're in the mood for something sweet or substantial. Waiting in line is really worth it. There is plenty to do for people of all ages. You can go ice skating, enjoy a nice German beer, and plenty of crafts to do for younger kids.

I've been to nearly all of the Carmel Christkindlmarkts and it's a nice event. However, it always feels a bit strange to me to be meandering through the huts eating German food and looking at German wares in the middle of Indiana. Don't get me wrong - it's a fun event, and the food is pretty spectacular. But be prepared that this is basically Epcot: Christmas in Germany. Be warned, that it is very crowded and as a result can be difficult to navigate. And, if it's too warm, you won't be able to ice skate. The performances are fun and the music is lively. The food is fabulous, though expensive. Recommended: mulled wine, bratwurst, raclette. Carmel Christkindlmarkt is a pleasant experience to attend and start off your holiday season.

This was such a cute place. It is a great family activity. My family spent an afternoon here before Christmas. My kids enjoyed making a free craft and we watched a woodcarver. The flatbread pizza was delicious. Next year we will try ice skating.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Everyone needs to visit the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. There's so much food, activities, and things to see. I love going every single year and this year they added new foods and activities such as a kebab stall and watching live woodworking. The only issue is that it does get super busy and parking can be very difficult to find. On the bright side, if you do find parking, it's free! However, the struggle of finding parking is worth it. Make sure to try the crepes, drink hot chocolate, and enjoy listening to live music. If you're cold, they have plenty of heaters all around the market. This experience will definitely get you into the holiday spirit!

Tis the season I've been waiting to attend christkindlmarkt for years finally got a chance to go this year. If you have kids this is a beautiful place to take them with lights. It is something out of a hallmark movie, To go when it's snowing outside would be magical. The setup was like being in a little village. They have tons of food options and ice skating for the kids. No pets are allowed and I see why. It's so crowded. I gave it 3 stars because of parking, tight spaces and long lines. The parking is horrible. I wouldn't even to to park close just have you a good pair of walking shoes and repair to walk. I wish the chistkindlmarkt was bigger to allow for large crowds it was way to crowded and so overwhelming it was not enjoyable to me. I would say the best time to go would be right after it opens to beat the crowds. However, I feel like that defeats the purpose you want to go see the pretty lights. But if you want to eat and walk around early probably is best. The lines for the food was so long it was ridiculous and kind of pricey. The vendors were very nice even though it was busy. I did mange to get a cute mug and hot chocolate. People have raved over the hot chocolate. I didn't personally like it. It had a very creamy texture it was almost buttery. The chocolate flavor was very faint. I wish I could taste more chocolate less butter. It wasn't very sweet either.

A holiday season favorite! Parking: Get there early if you've reserved your tickets for ice skating (1.5 hour increments and they do not start your time when you decide to show up, it is for a specific slot and begins ON TIME) there's plenty of street spots and a few open lots/garages) but you will be walking and given this is during the holiday season - inclement weather is usually a thing, so bundle up for the walk! The shopping cabins are all nice and have a wide variety of goods you can buy for yourself, home or as a gift. Hot cocoa is a MUST to keep your hands and insides warm - you can find cabins that serve it all over the grounds, German beers are most popular for the adults but I found a really good wine this year! (Not a beer drinker) There's also tons of food to be enjoyed - bratwurst's, giant pretzels with beer cheese & spicy mustard, pizza, different fried cheeses, and other German/German style snacks are served throughout. The market is very festive with Christmas music playing all around and lights to adorn just about every corner and cabin in sight. I love it here and so does my family. Sidebar for ice skating: I'd highly suggest buying tickets online - https://www.theiceatcartergreen.com The line can get pretty backed up waiting in line for ticket verification and skate pick up - so arrive with at least 20-25 min prior til your skate time begins. I am also suggesting you wear double socks that are tall (this makes for warm and comfortable skating. They do give you blue foot covers as you are to remove your shoes while in line to keep traffic flowing and get everyone on the ice in time.... We kept our blue foot covers on top of our socks inside our skates because when you take your skates off you have to walk on wet pavement to return in order to get your regular shoes. This keeps your socks clean and dry the entire time!

Was excited to attend media day at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt as a yelper! What a beautiful night for the VIP event. Even though it was too warm to open the ice-skating rink, the market still provided a festive atmosphere. All the shop owners and vendors were in the spirit and we enjoyed many wonderful samples of German food such as strudel, sausages, potato pancakes, pretzels, and mulled wine. The shops had a variety of things for sale, like ornaments and cuckoo clocks, scarves and mittens, German candy, jewelry, candles, etc. Of course I had to buy something.! Good place to pick up some Christmas presents! Live music played the entire time we were there, and there were several warming stations and fireplaces. The annual Carmel Christkindlmarkt festival kicks off this weekend, so put it on your calendar for a fun family event.

Okay first let me say there is plenty of free parking available in a multi story parking garage that is kind of hidden so look for the round Parking "P" sign. The entrance is between two big buildings and navigating the garage can be a bit tight for larger vehicles but there is no charge for parking here. It was cold and windy today but thank goodness there were plenty of heaters provided throughout the market. They even had fire pits where you could set your drink down on a tiny counter while you stand and eat your sandwich thus keeping warm. And there is a large shelter for dining with a plethora of warming devices including a couple that had huge flames. I opted to eat a Traditional Bratwurst but as you can see from the photo, the bratwurst was real long and the bun was real short. The big mismatch was making it hard to eat. I dropped the end of the brat towards making it to the end of the bun. One of those paper boats would have been good to have the whole thing sitting in. Especially with slippery ketchup on the brat. As far as shopping went, I wasn't able to find any gifts that appealed to me. I was hoping to find some gnomes but I didn't see any. It was cold, windy and I was in a hurry to browse the booths and make a doctor's appointment. Next time I should have more time to leisurely shop.

Fun afternoon last weekend at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt! This market is voted one of the best in the US and I think it keeps getting better every year. There are so many traditional food options, we tried the schnitzel sandwich that came on a pretzel bun - delicious! Also had some gluhwein since everyone raves about it - I don't like wine so it was not for me. not for me. My favorite was the Kartoffelpuffer (a yummy fried potato on a stick) and Flammkuchen (a fry bread with butter, garlic and seasoning.) There were too many things to eat and my stomach just wasn't big enough for it all! I also really like that there's ice skating, booths with gifts you can pick up and fun little activities throughout the day. It's a great family outing, date spot or something you can enjoy with friends.

Let me start by saying how great the parking is. There is a parking garage with ample parking that is directly connected to the event area. Now, you will have to be patient and wait in a car line to get into the parking garage and snag a parking spot. We went on Saturday around noon. The weather forecast called for a chance of rain and it was chilly so there was not too much of a crowd. However by the time we left around 2:00pm the sun came out and so did the people! My mom and I loved visiting each booth, seeing the holiday decor, and eating yummy food! I definitely recommend the Walking Waffle Company (booth 15), the Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes - booth 25), Baumstriezel (Chimney "cakes" with bacon and cheese and butter - booth 26), and Alpenlodge (raclette cheese over boiled potatoes - booth 27).

Beautiful set up with lots of food. Very food focused, and expensive items for sale. Organizers unfortunately underestimated the popularity and many items were sold out early in the season

It's very lovely but it's VERY chaotic. I can't imagine bringing children here. It's so loud and crowded that you can't hear the vendors and you can't tell if people are waiting in line for food or just waiting in line for stalled traffic. I would avoid weekends at all cost although I do wish they were open until at least 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. I think the ideal situation would be visiting right at opening time on a weekday but sadly, I work during those times. Parking can be challenging. Food can be pricey. It's a beautiful setting but a bit too wild to be able to just relax and enjoy.

I hadn't been in a few years so decided it was time for a return! Real talk - I don't love waiting in lines (I mean who does, right?) so I hacked the system and went when they opened on a weekday. Double hack is that it was raining. I know you can control the weather when you attend so keep that in mind. I had been wanting to try the raclette but recently went GF so what did I do? I brought a GF baguette with me. Sure did. Did the employees balk at me? Sure did not. I wasn't the first and won't be the last. They served up that Swiss imported cheese, salami, pickles, right up. That was just a cheese lovers melty dream come true. I also tried the hot cider and hot cashews. Both we're delicious! The art booths really are something else. I'm so impressed with the hand paintings and carvings. I have my eye set on one of the candle pieces! Just beautiful. The items can be on the spendy side but knowing they are hand crafted and imported, it feels more sensible. They also have music, workshops, ice skating, the works! It truly is an impressive operation and I'm happy I returned!

I love the christkindlemarkt! We make sure to go every year. This year it seems as though they have added even more food vendors. Highly recommend getting a raclette if you have never done so before. If you love cheese and bread it's perfect for you! I look forward to getting my raclette every single year. One of the new stands this year has fry bread/dough with various topping options. We went with a classic and got the cinnamon sugar which was basically just an elephant ear. The market is a great place for family and friends to really get you into the holiday spirit! There is much to see and do and also live music!

Fun walking experience! So many vendors with gifts and foods. The cocoa lines are fierce... and anyone who's been will remember the raclette cheese!

I have wanted to visit the German Christmas market for years ! I was so excited to get to go this year ! I had a blast, but honestly... Felt like it could use a little, more ? I don't think the space was big enough to house as many people that came to the event when I was there (and it was raining). The lines were far too long at the different kiosks. Getting there was tricky, as well. I figured we would see signs for the event, but we didn't. Parking was terrible - I feel like there could have been more parking for this event in particular. Other than those few things, the festival was amazing. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience ! The prices for food were actually cheaper than what I imagined them to be. There were ample seating options around the event. They had the little heater poles around the event, which helped a lot with how cold it has been getting. I definitely recommend going !

Yikes..... if you like going to a place and shelling out eight dollars for a warm beer, then this is the place for you!! I was actually excited to try a couple of the different German beers they had to offer. As I got the first one, when I took it, it was warm, I asked her if I could have a cold one and she said that all of the beers are served at "room" temperature, as she made a face at me, she asked me to pay and be sure to fill out everything including the tip option for such awesome service! A nice event, but cmon guys, go that extra mile and serve cold beer!!

It was very cold on opening morning even with some sunny areas. A few times I tried to warm myself by their real fire and was careful to not get burned. I was surprised to see dancers. Later that night, they were planning to have an opening presentation with the mayor, etc. I made my mark by identifying on the US map wall where I am originally from. There is a new entry way decor where people are taking pictures. I liked the Frankenmuth clocks which are very pricey. The chocolate tool-shaped candy would be nice gifts for some handy people. I did not buy anything but enjoyed looking around. I did not find a few shops in a corner per the map. It is fun to attend with probably a date even if to browse.

The only way to beat this event is to fly to Germany and go to one there! This is a top notch event - I have to go every year... it's that nice! New this year are the cabins to sit in. They will probably fit 8-10 people. There is a heater and 2 chandeliers. I really hope strangers share these - sit for a few minutes and warm up - maybe finish a meal - talk to the other people in the booth. Don't waste a chance - there were only 2 cabins on Media Day - I Hope More Are Coming! The yummy snacky food keeps you going from booth to booth... sometimes you can't try it all and you have to schedule another visit! I've been here every year and still have not had that darn Raclette! 2023 is my year!!

Adorable, but so crowded you couldn't move. Anywhere. Lines for the lines. People shoving you in every direction. Shoving my toddler! You couldn't breathe. It was just too much. Couldn't even get anything or look at any booths. It was absolutely unsafe to have that many people there and I also didn't see a single police officer which I think is interesting with that level of traffic and pedestrian congestion. Every year I come back hoping they have fixed the crowded issue but they just continue to let it worsen. I won't be back, and if you're planning on coming with small children I would highly reconsider. It just truly is not safe.

The last time I was here must have been one of the first times they held this market. At the time, I was a bit disappointed, because it was rather small. But it seems that over time, it has just gotten bigger and better. It still isn't as big as the one in downtown Chicago, but the crowd here in much more manageable. I'm a huge fan of gingerbread (Lebkuchen), so they were probably going to get 5 stars from me if nothing else, than because they had gingerbread lattes at the Java House booth. But it is a solid market. I would like to see more options in the boozy hot drinks and maybe a bigger booth with more ornaments, but I think this is going to be a yearly visit. If you go, be adventurous with the food. The Currywurst was on point and the tartiflette was tasty, though we ended up getting a bit too much food.

I absolutely love Christmas and everything about it. First time checking out the market and I did not expect so many people or such long lines. I had looked at the map but didn't realize that no two booths were the same. It was too cold to stand in long lines for me. The ice skating rink was also closed, due to inclement weather. It was hard to walk around with a beverage because people aren't paying attention. Parking was a disaster. I wish the parking garage had a way to let you know where parking was available and how much is available. Made it to one booth, with a short line and they were out of the donut holes but had apple streusel. The dough was one of the best I've had, the filling was missing some flavor and the hot chocolate was overly sweet for me, the whipped topping helped a little with the sweetness. But this booth was fairly priced compared to the rest, with the hot chocolate and they added a lot more than the other booths. I feel that maybe going during the week out be better to avoid such long lines. The one line I didn't care for was the Raclette cheese. I love me some stinky cheese, but this I could not bear the smell and it had such a long line, I was surprised. The Christmas lights were beautiful and I much enjoyed seeing how it was decorated. The head lamps helped but I'm short so only the top of my head got some heat. I didn't realize that dogs were allowed, it was hard because I felt like I as going to trip over them with so many people around.

In this season when I've committed myself to having a first go at many of Central Indiana's traditional holiday experiences, I finally got myself up to Carmel to experience their beloved Christkindlmarkt. The Carmel Christkindlmarkt was formed as a non-profit organization in 2017 with the support of the city of Carmel (which is obvious since it has a location of high visibility within the city). It's designed as an open-air Christmas market meant to resemble the traditional German markets. It features products sourced from Germany and other German-speaking European countries. This includes foods and gifts sold from simple (by Carmel standards) wooden huts and a center ice skating rink that promotes a communal atmosphere. To be fair, despite my fairly modest rating this is an award-winning holiday attraction having picked up prizes from USA Today and Taste of Home magazine. The Christkindlmarkt hosts workers from the Erzebirge region and also has the U.S.'s first Gluhwein Pyramid in a featured position. The Christkindlmarket is laid out fairly simply primarily utilizing what I'd call the plaza area between the Palladium and Tarkington Theatre. All parking is free in the area, though can still be difficult to find when the crowds grow (and they do). Accessible Parking is located in the Tarkington Garage, though be warned this is a relatively small garage and a fairly tight fit. That said, it's fairly close to the festivities. Admission to Christkindlmarkt is free, though purchasing from vendors obviously is not. Vendors range from local companies like Rose & Lois, Kit & Kaboodle, and others to very distinctly food-oriented booths focusing on German items. Additionally, if you want to skate there's a nominal fee for both getting on the ice and renting skates (you can bring your own skates, though getting on the ice still involves a fee). Alcohol is available here - brews are mostly German but not exclusively. There's also quite a few wine alternatives. There are some collectible purchases available, as well, including city of Carmel ornaments and some beer steins. Pets are not allowed. The best option for avoiding a huge crowd is going shortly after the Christkindlmarkt opens. This is a place that lights up after dark and that's for sure when the crowds grow. I've now been both times and doubt I would even return at night - as a wheelchair user, I found the night experience dreadful. While it's less festive during the day, it's much more wheelchair friendly. I will note that they offer transport wheelchairs for use, though if you have one of your own I'd recommend it. These are Medline chairs - low quality, cumbersome chairs primarily designed for those who will be pushed by someone else. Was this a bad experience? Of course not. Was it an authentic German experience? Not even close. It's an experience I'm glad I've had (twice) but it's certainly not going to become part of my holiday experiences. As a wheelchair user, I obviously don't skate and there are really no other attractions that caught my attention other than photo stops. The market booths are fine, though most are priced more like they are in Carmel than they are in Germany. The crowd at night was a bit overwhelming to me, though I will give credit that the crowd was friendly and courteous and did seem to try to make sure things were accessible. Things are situated fairly well and there are heating options around for those warm-up needs. Portable restroom options were decent (never ideal for wheelchairs, but they work). If I could, I would likely rate this a 3.5 star. 3 feels low. 4 feels high. I can understand why folks would love this, though it didn't take me long to figure out it wasn't what I am searching for from a holiday experience. I prefer more substance than style, connection than commercial. I appreciated Farmhouse Flammkuchen, the beer steins, polish pottery, and Bob's Belgian Hot Chocolate. If I lived closer, there's no doubt I'd probably visit this regularly but even living in nearby Lawrence I simply don't consider it an experience I'll go out of my way to have. We all need our own holiday experiences and I'm thrilled for those who enjoy this experience. It's simply not quite what I'm looking for and won't find its way on my regular holiday rotation.

My 350th review! Okay, so this is my first holidays in Indiana and I had to visit Carmel Christkindlmarkt. It was so festive!! I've never been to a holiday market event like this before. I didn't mind the open air environment and the winter cold, because actually...being bundled up in a scarf, gloves, sweater, jacket, and boots, made the experience even more fun! The Christmas lights and music mixed with happy people having a good time really puts you in the holiday spirit. I've already been two times this season. It's a fun outing with friends and family. There are a lot of food and drink options. The hot cocoa at the chocolate hut (selling chocolate covered treats) had options of milk chocolate or dark. I got the blend and it was so good. Admission and parking are free. And I was lucky enough to go the first week they opened for the season and purchased one of their annual boot mugs. I went again two weeks before Christmas and they were sold out.

"You've come a long way, Baby!" While I haven't been to all 6 Markets held since 2017, I've been to 5, including the first and second, as well as the the most recent (2023). And I have to say, organizers have upped their game every time I've attended. And it's a good thing. Because this market has gotten so popular, hundreds of thousands now come. The Market's attendance doubled in its second year (2018) as reported by IBJ. The following year, reported attendance was 300,000, and 2019 was the same year the Market got its first #1 ranking in USA Today. I can't even imagine what it was this past season. I remember the first year when most everything sold out early in the season and wasn't reordered. There were a lot of offerings in the tacky tchotchke category. No more! The vendors are top-notch and you will find authentic German items here you can't get too many places if anywhere this side of the Atlantic. The market seems substantially juried from that standpoint. They have a good handle on supply and demand for food and goods at this point, even with the crazy growth. I actually went twice this year, once on a Sunday evening, Nov. 19 and then a Saturday, Dec. 9. Both were busy, the latter visit was an absolute zoo with wall-to-wall people. Perhaps it's the awards the market has won, such as USA Today's #1 Readers Choice Best Holiday Market for 4 straight years or the Indy's Best Things 2023 Choice Award, but the market draws a huge crowd reminiscent of the most crowded nights of the State Fair (but a whole lot safer). More likely it's that there's just so much more to experience. Market went from about 40 to now over 60 vendors booths. Through the years, food offerings have grown from a few offering snack food and mostly sweets to several booths also offering substantial main course faire, many with multiple menu items. The events program is chock full, especially this past Market with a new artisan workshop, a separate crafts area, and character experiences such as meets with Santa. Glass blowers came in early December and wood carving demonstrations lasted for the duration. There's even a mini German cultural museum. Live music has always been a mainstay, but the quality and quantity has ramped up. There are photo opps galore and in fact this year I noted several places where families were taking their holiday photos. Hours have certainly expanded over the years to help keep up with demand. Go early in the season and on a Thursday or Sunday evening to avoid the huge crowds. Fridays and Saturdays are particularly crazy all season as the Market spans both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

This was my first time and I regret not going in the past. It was so fun! We actually got there a little before they opened since I didn't get lost in the Carmel roundabouts like I expected the event itself is fairly small but that was actually nice. My mom uses a walker and she was able to navigate fairly easily and we made multiple laps around trying to decide on the best food to eat. There was a good variety of treats to choose from. Parking was FREE so that just meant more food we could buy and not feel bad about it. I had the pretzel with beer cheese and mustard. It was pretty good. I also had a gingerbread latte as soon as we arrived to warm up while I was browsing. It was about 25 degrees outside when we went so it was freezing but somehow it wouldn't have seemed right if it was warm outside. The best drink I had was the wassail in the commemorative mug. It was warm, delicious, and the perfect Christmas drink. My mom had the french fries from the Fiscbrotchen and Pommes Frites shack, which was actually run by J's Lobster. They were amazing! Everyone was friendly and the lines moved pretty quick for how many people there were. There was a live band playing jazzy Christmas music adding to the festive atmosphere. There were also plenty of fire pits and heat lamps around to warm up. All in all, it exceeded my expectations and will definitely become a family tradition.

A late review for the season but mark your calendars for next year! Tons to do for the whole family. You can book ice skating, eat your heart out, drink some mulled wine and shop the vendors that have everything from steins to Christmas ornaments. The schnitzel house has these fried potatoes that are spiraled and a mix between a potato chip and fried potato slices. YUM. If you're a cheese person get in line for the raclette early because the line gets very long! Already dreaming of what goodies I will go get next year!

Best year yet! After not being open due to last years pandemic, they really showed back up with a bang! Everything was so well done. This year they have huge covered pavilions. It seems as though they have the most vendors they've ever had as well. We tried a hot cocoa and it came with a cute little gingerbread cookie. Both were delicious. You could tell the cocoa was made with milk because it was really creamy. We also got a giant pretzel with beer cheese and spicy mustard which was also delicious

What a unique experience! We wanted to avoid big crowds so went after Christmas, but it was still pretty busy for a weekend evening--but plenty to do. Even late in the event, the ice skating sold out pretty early (around 6pm) so definitely plan ahead if you're looking to do that. (With two little ones in tow, this fortunately wasn't on our list to try this year.) Going late some of the vendor booths were a little light on what they had for sale, but it was still really neat to see all the different items for sale. Very authentic food options abound as well - I wish I had planned ahead and waited to eat a few different places here. If you haven't been before, this is absolutely a must at least once for your holiday traditions!

Cute outdoor shopping area is perfect for the season. I'm not much of a shopper, but if I were, I'm sure I'd pick up a unique gift or two. Lots of German food options, too. And portable heaters take the edge off of the cold. Spent most of our time taking our kids ice skating. A little overpriced, at $14 for 90 minutes of ice time. But it's worth doing once a year, especially to make memories with little ones. Our boys had a blast.

very Christmas vibes!!! i love the ice skating and chocolate and bratwursts. there are so many people though. which means long lines but the place is popular for a reason it's cute and festive ¯\_(ツ)_/¯