Enjoy hot cider and more at Christkindlmarket Naperville
As part of Christkindlmarket Naperville, holiday shoppers will be able check out an expanded selection of vendors - including several local businesses - and sip some cider to benefit the market's host, Naper Settlement.
The market will be open Friday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Dec. 24, at 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. The week of Christmas, the hours will change to 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, Dec. 18 to 21; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 22 and 23; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24. Naper Settlement is the only suburban location of the outdoor German market Christkindlmarket.
"Last year we saw an incredible influx of visitors in just 21 days - visiting the market, our museum and downtown area, with almost three-quarters coming from outside of Naperville," said Harriet Pistorio, Naper Settlement's chief operating officer. "We could not be more excited to host Christkindlmarket Naperville this holiday season, and to have our own hot cider booth to benefit our museum's mission."
Modeled after Germany's renowned outdoor market in Nuremberg, Christkindlmarket Naperville is expanding to feature 43 vendors and three walk-in cabins, and will include some local businesses, such as Le Chocolat du Bouchard, Wooden Skirt and SaraBoo Creek.
At the Naper Settlement booth, visitors will be able to buy cups of hot, nonalcoholic cider for the entire family. The booth also will sell cider gift sets and a $5 coupon book with discounts to a variety of downtown Naperville stores and restaurants. Purchases at the booth will go toward the museum's education and preservation programming.
During the holiday season, Naper Settlement also will host Naper Lights, a light display presented by the Sunrise Rotary Club of Naperville. Children can sign up to meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the Santa @ the Settlement program on Saturdays, Nov. 25 and Dec. 2, 9 and 16. Victorian Holiday Traditions will offer guided tours of the Martin Mitchell Mansion, decorated for the holidays, on Sunday, Dec. 3. To learn more about the holiday programs, visit napersettlement.org.