German market to kick off holidays

The holidays are, quite literally, coming a lot closer.

Local fans of Chicago's annual Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza can skip the train rides or expressway traffic this year and still enjoy the German foods and handcrafted wares.

For the first time, Oakbrook Center mall in Oak Brook will host its own Christkindlmarket, starting today and running through Nov. 11.

The event will be presented by the same group that organizes the Chicago event, the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest.

Mall officials say the market will be an ideal way to start the holiday season.

"We've already had great success with our summertime events, and we're always looking to create new experiences here," said Oakbrook Center spokeswoman Suzanne Beres.

"What better time to still enjoy the weather and think about the holidays as well?"

This pre-Christmas market dates to 16th-century Germany and will feature 12 traditional huts where artisans will sell items like hand-carved nutcrackers, glass-blown ornaments, beer steins, European chocolates, toys, jewelry and German novelties.

The event also will feature music and dance shows, and will sell traditional German foods, including bratwurst, leberkase, sauerkraut, pretzels, German beer and Gluhwein, a hot spiced wine.

Beres said the Oak Brook event will happen on a smaller scale than the Chicago market because organizers are taking "baby steps" during the first year.

But, she said, mall officials are planning to make Christkindlmarket an annual tradition that precedes the Chicago market, which begins Nov. 23.

"It's kind of like a kick-off," Beres said. "Here, we're still in the fall festive mood and then, with the Chicago market, you're actually in the holiday."

Christkindlmarket

The festival runs 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays, today through Nov. 11, at Oakbrook Center, Route 83 and 22nd Street, Oak Brook. Includes traditional German holiday wares, food and entertainment. Admission and parking are free. Call (630) 573-0700 or visit www.oakbrookcenter.com

SATURDAY

2 to 3 p.m. Egerlander Folk Dance Group

5 to 8 p.m. Glen Sorgatz and Brass Quartet

SUNDAY

3 to 4 p.m. American Aid Youth Dance Group

Nov. 3

1 to 3 p.m. Milwaukee Donauschwaben Dance Group

3 to 4 p.m. Jolly Lumber Jacks Dance Group

5 to 7 p.m. Milwaukee Donauschwaben Dance Group

Nov. 4

2 to 5 p.m. Glen Sorgatz and Brass Quartet

Nov. 9

5 to 8 p.m. Glen Sorgatz and Brass Quartet

Nov. 10

3 to 4 p.m. Jolly Lumber Jacks Dance Group

Nov. 11

2 to 3 p.m. Pippins Madrigal Singers

4 to 6 p.m. Canterbury Carolers