Carmel Christkindlmarkt

Talk fun, colors, lights, sparkle, holiday cheer - that's Carmel Christkindlmarkt. Extremely busy over the weekends but fun and has such a festive vibe that we didn't mind the long lines, dodging people around us and exploring the unique stalls. Everything from hot chocolate, stores to hot dogs, live music and fun for every age. Definitely expensive with the extra cost for a cup of coffee, hot chocolate or even truffles. Would highly recommend for a nice trip with family, friends or kids.

Very cool experience. Cookie decorating, mulled wine in a tiny boot, delicious aromas throughout! The Apple mulled wine was very good. I had fish and chips which I honestly wouldn’t get again, as it was rather bland. The lines for brats were so long- and I can’t really say there is a time when they would not be long. There were cute, warm tables with a roof as well as standing warmers all over!

What a fantastic experience!! Very well organized starting with the shuttles to the remote parking on through to the ice rink!! Lots of amazing food, great places to shop ! The place was packed but spotless!! The opening ceremony was wonderful and the tree lighting was very well done .. we had a wonderful of time and highly recommend this for everyone!!

Had a fabulous visit to this market. Was very packed. Lots of gorgeous stores to select food and trinkets. Enjoyed cranberry/ apple mulled wine ( yummy hot yummy). Tried spackel ( i believe is what it was) definitely a must try. Egg noodle and cheese and vegetables stock. Not much seating was my only compliment. 25 min waits at each both to purchased of anything huge lines but it was worth the wait.

Excellent German-style Christmas Market. Small skating rink in the middle of the area surrounded by small wooden chalets filled with all sort of German goodness. Free to ender, there is a great selection of German/Bavarian food and drink. You will find all manner of sausages, local German-inspired beer and a variety of glühwein. There are also commemorative mugs and steins that can be purchased. Other chalets have traditional German Christmas ornaments, decorations, and sweets. There was also a place where you can get an authentic Bavarian Cuckoo Clock that has been imported (both single and seven day winding versions). We visited both at night and during the day and both had different "feel" but very cool. This is a definite "destination" thing to do.

This is such a fun authentic German experience! I loved all of the different vendors! Next year I will plan to try out some of the food! It looked and smelled delicious! We had a great time walking around this lovely market!

We went this past weekend on opening weekend. It was CUTE & fun. Something different to do. It wasn’t quite as big as we expected, driving from 2.5 hrs away, but we loved what was there. Definitely worth an hr drive but I don’t know about 2.5. LOL. I would do it again if we planned to stay for the whole weekend in the Indy area.

It is very festive and beautiful and a great place to celebrate the holidays. However, avoid the weekend! It was shoulder to shoulder people, and food lines were too long to enjoy any of the treats. We ate just about 3 blocks away and walked over - so glad we did!

I enjoyed this so much, I had to come back twice this past season! I can't believe this was only my first time attending a Christmas market, but so glad this was my introduction. Having been born in Germany, I am intrigued by German food and culture - I find myself loving the cuisine more and more and make a point to attend an Oktoberfest almost every year. I got to bring my husband and 10 month old son and decided this will be a new family Christmas tradition! The range of foods, activities and gifts was more than enough to keep me excited. I mainly came for the food, so a second trip to the market was needed in order to try everything I wanted. All the booths had great service with pleasant staff. Some items are a little more pricey but the experience was well worth it. My favorites were the pommes frites, raclette sandwich, roasted nuts, Glühwein and Feuerzangenbowle. Parking options are great, just plan accordingly and try to attend before the crowds build up. Prost!

My mother and I have been talking about coming here for the last 3 years. My daughter is 19 months old so, we decided to take our first girl's trip here for a weekend in Carmel to coincide with the 5k hosted at this market. It does feel authentic - but it's cramped into this small, adorable city center area which is super cute. Problem, it's a small, cramped space and was difficult to even walk down the rows (like, so cramped you were just stopped elbow to elbow pushing against people not moving) and with my daughter's stroller it was a nightmare. The lines for food were at least 50 people deep for every single vendor so, if you wanted to sample multiple things you'd be waiting hours... They did have authentic German souvenirs and the boot mugs are adorable! Lots of cute places for photo ops. There were some issues - the penny press didn't work and took my $.51 and gave me a mangled, flat penny. I had dollars and pennies but no quarters and literally no one vendor or place here had change. I feel you should not have a penny press without offering people change... it should be located in one of the customer help/service tents. The 5k was fun and well-done - small group of around 2500 runners and starts and ends at the market. It was nice bc I got to see the spaces and walk around and take some pictures without the crowds. If we ever come back, it'll be much earlier in the season and during a week day to avoid the insane crowds we had on the last Saturday before Christmas. I think the 5k should be earlier in the season so it'll be warmer and less crowded.

The Christkindlmarket in Carmel has truly become a local favorite and a tradition we look forward to every year! We took advantage of a warmer winter Saturday to stop by, and it was clear everyone else had the same idea. It was definitely crowded, but that just added to the festive energy and it's great to see local vendors getting so much love. Even with the crowds, the lines moved quicker than expected. Vendor service was excellent across the board.. everyone was upbeat, friendly, and kept things moving. We grabbed the Fischbrötchen & Pommes Frites, which were tasty and hit the spot. The tornado potatoes were also a solid choice. To warm up, we stopped by Rose & Lois where I grabbed a peppermint mocha, and it did not disappoint. The food is a little pricey, but that's to be expected for a popular holiday market. Overall, it was busy but fun and a great reminder of why this market has become such a beloved holiday tradition in Carmel.

Christkindlmarkt is absolutely amazing--it truly feels like being transported straight back to Germany. From the moment you arrive, the atmosphere is festive, charming, and wonderfully authentic. I especially loved the German vendors and the traditional feel throughout the market. There's a large ice-skating rink right in the center, which adds so much to the experience. The food and drinks are fantastic: German brats, Kartoffelpuffer (classic German potato pancakes), Käsespätzle, hot chocolate, Glühwein, and even Feuerzangenbowle. Everything felt very true to tradition and brought back wonderful memories. One tip: go during the week if you can. We visited on a Saturday, and it was packed wall-to-wall with people. While the prices are definitely on the higher side and a bit marked up, the experience, atmosphere, and authenticity make it totally worth it. Highly recommend--especially if you love German culture, food, and holiday traditions.

I just took a DNA test turns out I'm 80% German! No wonder I've always felt drawn to Christkindlmarkt! I've enjoyed this open air market for the past several years despite the cold weather. The mulled wine, spiked ciders and other interesting hot beverages will keep you warm while you peruse the various vendors seasonal offerings. Every year they have a different Christkindlmarkt mug with the year and new theme to collect. This year we were delighted to experience a glassblowing event. Artists visit from Germany had a demo making glass ornaments and it was fun to watch and nice to be warm and indoors for a bit. Purchased a gorgeous glass hummingbird ornament as a gift for my mom. I love standing by the fire near giant lit up windmill eating the boiled potatoes topped with raclette cheese, bacon and onions. Something we look forward to every year. They added shuttle this year and there is also free parking in a couple lots nearby if you're lucky enough to snag a spot or get there early enough. Arrive early if you can! Bundle up and do a little Christmas shopping and even ice skating if you're up for it. There are tons of unique gifts and food and drinks to try. Enjoy!

(3.5 review) We saw that this Christmas market had one of the highest ratings in the country, so we made the trip from Louisville on opening day! We found parking pretty easy about 10 mins away. The booths were beautiful and festive, I was quickly put in the Christmas spirit. We ordered bratwursts with sauerkraut, mulled wine, mushrooms and potato knodel. The food was tasty but prices were steep. The items being sold at the booths were also really expensive, from ornaments to German Stein's and paper lanterns (everything was unfortunately out of budget). We watched a group play Alphorns, and saw a few unique animals (owl, fox, cervidae) on our way out. We didn't ice skate because of the crowds but it did look fun. Overall, we had a fun time looking around, I think my expectations were set a bit too high after reading that this market was one of the best in the country. Be prepared to wait in long lines and spend a bit of money if you're eating and drinking. I think this event needs a larger space with the high crowd numbers, I also wish they had more of a variety of price ranges on items to purchase.

This was the latest in the year I have visited - the Monday before Christmas. I thought a weekday would be less busy than a weekend when I normally visit but I was wrong. This was definitely the busiest I've seen it. The lines were pretty long but all the food was well worth it!

Look forward to going to the Christkindlmarkt every year! This year has actually been a very eventful year for me as I've been fortunate enough to go 3 times already! Ha. Between about 4-5 cups of Bobs Hot Chocolate (my absolute favorite), enjoying some good music by a nice warm fire during one of the colder days this winter, and shoveling countless chocolate truffles in my face... it's been a great time!! Everyone is always so nice & welcoming.

Every year, I look forward to this holiday event. I love the food, the music, and the environment. I'm definitely going back soon to try more food! The only downside is that they don't have the porta potties anymore. The line for the restrooms is looped around, and it's not convenient when you have a baby or kids with you. Hopefully, they'll add more accessible restroom areas.

I've been here two other times but it has been years ago. The Christmas market has improved and grown since then! It's one of the best in the area by far. They have live music, many vendors, and indoor restrooms. The food and photo options are plentiful! The holiday mugs are adorable and there are many drink options. Parking can be a little tricky and it can get very busy. It's all part of the culture! Be sure to dress appropriately if you want to ice skate. The staff were all friendly and eager to help. It's free to get in so you can spend your money on all of the other treats. Don't miss this event! It's one you'll want make a family tradition!!

Talk fun, colors, lights, sparkle, holiday cheer - that's Carmel Christkindlmarkt. Extremely busy over the weekends but fun and has such a festive vibe that we didn't mind the long lines, dodging people around us and exploring the unique stalls. Everything from hot chocolate, stores to hot dogs, live music and fun for every age. Definitely expensive with the extra cost for a cup of coffee, hot chocolate or even truffles. Would highly recommend for a nice trip with family, friends or kids.

This has been a yearly tradition for my boyfriend and I and I absolutely love it! The glühwein in their yearly mug is always fun to get to collect and you can't help by stopping at every booth to enjoy their stunning pieces. Every year I stop at the crepe booth, kebab booth and raclette booth and it doesn't disappoint! There's so much fresh flavor and they do a phenomenal job with presentation. I absolutely love the hot chocolate next to the Christkindlmarkt specialty booth as it is the prettiest to look at and most flavorful. They do such an amazing job. This is a free event for the family to enjoy

Absolutely beautiful market but holy Christmas is it over-priced. Really well done from the ambience standpoint - decor, the photo ops, the skating rink, the twinkly lights and wonderful smells in the air - it's all magical. But $18 for bourbon hot chocolate and $16 for a bratwurst with sauerkraut and $6 for a candy licorice rope - it's just so over priced for what it is. Having only been to two other Christkindl markets I had expectations of a great deal more shopping and gift vendor huts. This is primarily food based - the gift vendors that are there are higher end and mainly very specifically German products which is super cool but felt quite limited in scope. All in, it's a lovely but expensive way to have a walking dinner while taking in the sights and smells of the season.

Since it is the week of Christmas, the market was packed! Parking was a nightmare but we managed to find a spot a few blocks away (free parking in Carmel). Since the crowds were so overwhelming we didn't get to have a full experience or interaction with the booths. The lines/queues were confusing; we didn't understand where or how to get in line for food or drinks. The art portion was a bit less crowded so it was neat to see the handmade unique German gifts.

OMG! Was very excited to get in and get off to attend. I didn't know what to expect. Actually, I thought the samples would literally be a bite size and that's it. Parking was easy. Check in was very congested and a tad overwhelming. I'm used to seeing a Yelp sign at minimum however the workers were all helpful. My girl and I really enjoyed ourselves while lines were long we did not wait for more than about 15 minutes or so. Now back to these samples! Babeeeee. Job well done They were great portions that were fresh, delicious and filling. I want to come back every year. It was such a great opportunity to unwind, connect with strangers over our thoughts of bites/sips and more. 10/10. My favorites were the crepes and the kabob place. Yummy!!! We did not try everything nor did we ice skate. Next year, I'd definitely get there earlier.

I believe we have started a new family tradition! We had such a great time visiting the different shops and purchasing unique gifts for family and friends! There were so many food options too!! The fish and fries were my favorite! The only downside is the crowd! I LOVED watching the ice skating too! LOTS of people were enjoying this place!!

We always enjoy the Christmas kindlemarkt. The team does such a good job making sure everything is clean, has a cheery vibe and feels like Christmas. The staff customer service is outstanding. The food always is outstanding and so yummy. My favorite drink is the apple pie mule wine I look forward to every year!!

I have been to quite a few of these annual events. I have to say this is the best one yet. The Operations guy Michael did an awesome job as he was recognized at the 11:30 a.m. opening ceremony. Much more to see and do this year like the 2 or 3 reindeers you can pet and take photos with, puppet show, free trolley on Fri. and Sat. as posted, barrel seating areas, etc. It was great to get out in the sun on a warmer November day. There was so much to do that I spent 8 hrs there (including riding the complimentary shuttle and trolley). I ended up staying for the 6:30 pm tree lighting. This year I decided to again buy something. I think it is only the second time since I have been. From Chimney Cake, I ate a $15 (without tax) chimney strudel fusion with cherry, apple, and pecan without whipped cream with a "roasted" cone. I like that it was fresh to order and crunchy and probably healthy although it took about 30 minutes to prep; I was given a buzzer which allowed me to still explore the festival. I like the $7 lace bookmarks. The $8 souvenir swag boot mug was a hit that you can buy with or without an alcoholic beverage. I like the new penny press. Sleigh for photos. Parking has expanded so see their posting. There will be other special activities on different days so see what interests you.

This is an incredible Christkindlmarkt but it's best to visit during off hours, like a weekday as early as possible. It's extremely tight and packed on the weekends. Unfortunately, they allow strollers and wagons, which adds to the mess significantly. I would not recommend this market if you have someone who requires ADA accommodations on those busy, stroller-packed days. Parking is thankfully free, but again, you might have to hunt for a while in the garage or farther on the busy weekends. They have information kiosks, ice skating, commemorative boot mugs, and the usual tasty fare.

On, November 19th that evening I had the wonderful opportunity going as an Yelp Elite All-star to experience my very first Carmel Christkindmarkt. On, November 19th it was media day, a lot of people were there before it opened to the public. I had did valet parking at the Theater next to Christkindmarkt free of charge that night. It was cold, not freezing cold more like a dry cold. Carmel Christkindmarkt is located downtown Carmel. Carmel Christkindmarkt is a German Christmas market, local German vendors, it's much better to go to the Christkindmarkt at night to see all the Christmas lights. While, at the Carmel Christkindmarkt Media Day we had the opportunity to taste some samples before the festival was officially opened to the public. I had chocolate champagne truffle, chocolate covered grapes, German style potato pancake, and hot chocolate. So many different unique vendors, a lot of handcrafted items, so many delicious German sweet treats, Carmel Christkindmarkt is open for everyone, there's even an ice skating rink that'll have to pay, some items pricing are reasonable then some items are high. The dates for Carmel Christkindmarkt is November 22nd through December 24th, 2025. The vendor I stopped at for samples that day were all very nice, very helpful when I didn't know about the German product, and everyone was happy. There was a live band during Media Day, and each day the Carmel Christkindmarkt is open there will be different events as well as live bands performing. Also, starting this year 2025 there will be a Carmel trolley taking people to the festival. The history of Carmel Christkindmarkt was founded in 2017 by Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard who was inspired by his visits to German Christmas markets. The very first Carmel Christkindmarkt took place same year in 2017. I can't wait to go back to Carmel Christkindmarkt to explore more items.

This is the cutest market that you can visit for free . Parking is free nearby and you can just walk around with no entrance fee . The service does take quite a bit to get your food so expect long lines (20 min) . The food is good but I do feel prices have gone way up for how much food you're actually getting it. But definitely worth the time to see and check it out if you've never been . Don't expect to leave here with a full belly without spending at least $60 with no place to sit

This is my second year going to the christkindlmarket. Last year I tried the racklette, mulled wine, potato cakes, and chimney cakes, these made such an impression on me I couldn't wait to return this year for the same selection. I enjoyed these items again this year. All the booths I visited were friendly. Their are heaters around the market to stand and get warmth and enjoy food items. In terms of parking there are few parking garages and dedicated lots in the area to the event.

This was my third year going to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. The first two times I went were during the day. This year, my husband and I went at night, because we wanted to see it all lit up. In the market's defense, we went on the Saturday before Christmas. I knew it would be busier. I feel like this event has outgrown the space available in Carter Green. It was shoulder to shoulder crowds just about everywhere you walked. The only places we could get any space to breathe were on the outside perimeters. The lines for food were so long, but there were no stanchions or anything like that to help figure out which line was going where. The booths are lined up so close together, so it makes difficult to walk through. We were able to get one hot food item and one snack. I usually buy some mulled wine in one of their annual boot mugs, but we managed to grab a couple of the empty souvenir mugs from a separate stand, and left. I'm sorry to say it just wasn't enjoyable this time. When crowds are this heavy, people lose all sense of self-awareness and consideration. I really enjoy the market, but crowd control is something that needs to be discussed by the committee for future events. I can see by other reviews thar I'm not alone in this. I feel bad for the non-food vendors who can't seem to get people to look at their merchandise, because all the food lines are blocking them.

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.

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

Really fun and unique experience. I wish it was a little bigger because the crowds are getting overwhelming, but it's gotten to be one of my favorite things during the holiday season.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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 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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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).

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!

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.

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.

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 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 !

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