Carmel Christkindlmarkt, Inc. (CCI) representatives have a stellar event, entertainment and set of vendors teed up for the eighth Carmel Christkindlmarkt season now through Dec. 24. Notably, this magical, local event has been voted the Best Holiday Market in USA Today’s 10Best competition at least four different years. This designation honored Carmel's Market over other Christmas villages and popular holiday markets in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Washington, D.C., Georgia, Illinois and Michigan.
In 2025, Carmel Christkindlmarkt attendees can enjoy 50 authentic German food and artisan vendor huts, nine cherished traditional events, an ice rink, a brand-new free shuttle service and more than 150 hours of live music spanning a variety of genres, including a Grammy-winning polka artist.
The Market also features the only Glühwein pyramid in the United States, standing 33 feet tall with more than 3,000 lights.
As an expected quarter million visitors descend on the city, a free shuttle service is being debuted to alleviate parking challenges. The ADA-accessible service will be available to all patrons on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the Market season, using two buses with a combined capacity of 69 people. Organizers indicate every 15 minutes, Market shuttles will pick up visitors at a parking lot on CNO Financial Group's former campus, 550 College Drive, and drop them off at the
Market’s entrance on 3rd Avenue.
“We welcome visitors back to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt,” says Julia Davis, acting CEO of CCI. “Our free shuttle service will make it even easier for our visitors to gather, whether it be to experience the Market for the first time, or to enjoy their traditional annual visit. The holidays are about making memories together, and we're so proud to continue to provide a special place for people to do just that.”
Authentic food, drink and handmade gifts sourced from Germany and German-speaking countries,
exclusively available at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, will be sold by vendors at 50 festive wooden huts throughout the Market’s footprint. The 2025 Market will feature several returning crowd-favorites, including:
- Raclette Chalet: Voted the best food vendor by visitors in 2023 and 2024, a hut serving traditional Swiss-German Raclette sandwiches with melted cheese scraped over fresh bread.
- Frankenmuth Clock Company: A vendor showcasing legendary Black Forest cuckoo clocks from Hönes, Trenkle and Schneider.
- Perlkönig: A renowned German manufacturer of unique, high-quality and affordable fashion jewelry, sold nowhere else in the United States.
- Das Pretzel Haus: Authentic Ditsch German pretzels and the popular “Jotünn,” a Germanic Giant pretzel.
- Christkindlmarkt Souvenirs: Including the 2025 edition of the Carmel Christkindlmarkt’s collectible boot mug, designed by a local 12-year-old.
- Knödel & Champignons: A vendor selling the very best authentic German comfort food, including dumplings, sauteed mushrooms with creamy garlic sauce, red cabbage and frikadellen, a delectable German meat dish.
- Glühwein Pyramid: Under the first 33-foot-tall Glühwein Pyramid in the United States, visitors can warm up with Glühwein (mulled wine), select German beers or Kinderpunsch (non-alcoholic mulled punch).
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt General Market hours for 2025 are: Mondays and Tuesdays closed; Wednesdays and Thursdays 4-9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 12-9 p.m.; and Sundays 12-8 p.m.
Dates with special hours during the 2025 season are Dec. 15 and 16: 4-9 p.m.; Dec. 22 and 23: 12-9 p.m.; Dec. 24: 12-4 p.m.
In addition to food and gift vendors, 150-plus hours of live musical performances are scheduled at the Market’s Winter Pavilion. Artists include: Mollie B, an award-winning vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and polka performer; Duke Tumatoe, a renowned blues guitarist, songwriter and vocalist; Johnny Koenig, a “polkastar” and recognized force in the genre; Mike Schneider Band, a returning favorite, singing German and Christmastime favorites; and Alex Meixner, a Grammy-winning polka artist known for his modern twist on traditional folk music.
The Christkind ChoralFest will be held Dec. 3, as a local favorite featuring rotating performances from choirs of all ages. Sankt Nikolaustag will occur Dec. 6 during which children can meet St. Nikolaus and participate in craftmaking in the Kindereke. On Dec. 10, a German Sing-Along and Ornament Exchange will happen. A festive Glühwein Gallop 5K race will starts and finishes at the Market on Dec. 20, complete with a costume contest. Additionally, Military Appreciation Day to honor active and retired military members is slated for Dec. 21.
For a full Carmel Christkindlmarkt online schedule and helpful vendor map, visit CarmelChristkindlmarkt.com.
“We aim to enrich lives by bringing a 'real German market' to visitors as best as we can.” ~Michael Nahmias