A taste of German-style holidays comes to Schaumburg
It took a while for Schaumburg residents to learn how to pronounce it, let alone get wrap around its German roots, but 10 years later, Christskindlesmarkt looks like a keeper.
The outdoor holiday market runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, at Schaumburg's Town Square, at the southwest corner of Schaumburg and Roselle roads.
It takes its name from the nearly 500-year-old tradition in Nuremberg, Germany, and tries to include as many of the sights, sounds -- and smells -- as its counterpart.
"It's a nice, quaint holiday market," said Roxanne Benvenuti, Schaumburg's special events coordinator. "With the lights shining off the pond, it's just right for the square."
Typically, the first thing visitors notice when they arrive is the smell of the cinnamon glazed roasted nuts, as well as the hot, spiced gluhwein, in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions, offered by Schaumburg's Sister Cities Foundation members. Horse-drawn wagon rides around the square take visitors away from the hustle and bustle of Schaumburg during the holiday season, back to this European-influenced open air market.
Schaumburg leaders launched the market 10 years ago as a way to showcase their new town square, and connect with the village's German roots. The village continues to host the event, in cooperation with the Schaumburg Township District Library.
Live music plays continuously in the square, starting off with the Waterloo German Band at 11 a.m. on Saturday, dressed in lederhosen and playing traditional oompah music. Entertainers continue at 1 p.m. with the German folk dancers, D'Lustigen Holzhacker Baum.
A host of local singers and dancers continue throughout both days, and build toward the Festival of Lights, taking place at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, when youngsters with battery-operated candles march around the square, with St. Peter Lutheran Church choir members leading them in carols.
Children can visit with Santa and St. Nicholas, before finding an assortment of holiday crafts, from sand art to face painting.
A total of 30 vendors will be in tents displaying a wide variety of ethnic and domestic crafts, designed as unique holiday gifts. They range from hand-knitted wool sweaters and embroidered linens, to custom jewelry, candles, tapestry and blown glass.
A large food tent will feature German fare, including bratwurst, goulash and hot German potato salad, from Chandler's Chophouse in Schaumburg, as well as American favorites, provided by Genoa Pizza and Tasty Vending.
Baked goods are another staple of the Christmas markets found throughout Germany, and they are in big supply here.
Visitors can sample traditional stolen from the Sister Cities Foundation, as well as French pastries provided by the Fraternite of Notre Dame, and German chocolate cake from St. Peter Lutheran Church members.
If you go
What: Schaumburg's 10th annual Christkindlesmarkt
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Schaumburg Town Square, southwest corner of Schaumburg and Roselle roads
Cost: Free
Call: (847) 895-3600 or visit www.ci.schaumburg.il.us