Having the 3x winner of USA Today's Best Christmas Market in the neighborhood is terrific! @ CarmelChristkindlmarkt There is something for the entire family. Ice-skating is a multi-generational activity when it is finally cold enough. In the meantime, there are hands- on activities for the children in shops #62 & Santa Sundays in shop #63! @TGAKIndy @Frankenmuth (MI) Clock Company #MarketMagic read more

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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! read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

Carmel Christkindlmarkt - Smoothing the ice - Skating Rinks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

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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). read more

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I hadn't been in a few years so decided it was time for a return! Real talk - I don't love waiting in lines (I mean who does, right?) so I hacked the system and went when they opened on a weekday. Double hack is that it was raining. I know you can control the weather when you attend so keep that in mind. I had been wanting to try the raclette but recently went GF so what did I do? I brought a GF baguette with me. Sure did. Did the employees balk at me? Sure did not. I wasn't the first and won't be the last. They served up that Swiss imported cheese, salami, pickles, right up. That was just a cheese lovers melty dream come true. I also tried the hot cider and hot cashews. Both we're delicious! The art booths really are something else. I'm so impressed with the hand paintings and carvings. I have my eye set on one of the candle pieces! Just beautiful. The items can be on the spendy side but knowing they are hand crafted and imported, it feels more sensible. They also have music, workshops, ice skating, the works! It truly is an impressive operation and I'm happy I returned! read more

Carmel Christkindlmarkt - Skating Rinks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

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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! read more

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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. read more

Carmel Christkindlmarkt - Skating Rinks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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 ! read more

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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! read more

Carmel Christkindlmarkt - Silkelitous hot chocolate: salted Carmel - Skating Rinks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

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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. read more

Carmel Christkindlmarkt - Skating Rinks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

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In this season when I've committed myself to having a first go at many of Central Indiana's traditional holiday experiences, I finally got myself up to Carmel to experience their beloved Christkindlmarkt. The Carmel Christkindlmarkt was formed as a non-profit organization in 2017 with the support of the city of Carmel (which is obvious since it has a location of high visibility within the city). It's designed as an open-air Christmas market meant to resemble the traditional German markets. It features products sourced from Germany and other German-speaking European countries. This includes foods and gifts sold from simple (by Carmel standards) wooden huts and a center ice skating rink that promotes a communal atmosphere. To be fair, despite my fairly modest rating this is an award-winning holiday attraction having picked up prizes from USA Today and Taste of Home magazine. The Christkindlmarkt hosts workers from the Erzebirge region and also has the U.S.'s first Gluhwein Pyramid in a featured position. The Christkindlmarket is laid out fairly simply primarily utilizing what I'd call the plaza area between the Palladium and Tarkington Theatre. All parking is free in the area, though can still be difficult to find when the crowds grow (and they do). Accessible Parking is located in the Tarkington Garage, though be warned this is a relatively small garage and a fairly tight fit. That said, it's fairly close to the festivities. Admission to Christkindlmarkt is free, though purchasing from vendors obviously is not. Vendors range from local companies like Rose & Lois, Kit & Kaboodle, and others to very distinctly food-oriented booths focusing on German items. Additionally, if you want to skate there's a nominal fee for both getting on the ice and renting skates (you can bring your own skates, though getting on the ice still involves a fee). Alcohol is available here - brews are mostly German but not exclusively. There's also quite a few wine alternatives. There are some collectible purchases available, as well, including city of Carmel ornaments and some beer steins. Pets are not allowed. The best option for avoiding a huge crowd is going shortly after the Christkindlmarkt opens. This is a place that lights up after dark and that's for sure when the crowds grow. I've now been both times and doubt I would even return at night - as a wheelchair user, I found the night experience dreadful. While it's less festive during the day, it's much more wheelchair friendly. I will note that they offer transport wheelchairs for use, though if you have one of your own I'd recommend it. These are Medline chairs - low quality, cumbersome chairs primarily designed for those who will be pushed by someone else. Was this a bad experience? Of course not. Was it an authentic German experience? Not even close. It's an experience I'm glad I've had (twice) but it's certainly not going to become part of my holiday experiences. As a wheelchair user, I obviously don't skate and there are really no other attractions that caught my attention other than photo stops. The market booths are fine, though most are priced more like they are in Carmel than they are in Germany. The crowd at night was a bit overwhelming to me, though I will give credit that the crowd was friendly and courteous and did seem to try to make sure things were accessible. Things are situated fairly well and there are heating options around for those warm-up needs. Portable restroom options were decent (never ideal for wheelchairs, but they work). If I could, I would likely rate this a 3.5 star. 3 feels low. 4 feels high. I can understand why folks would love this, though it didn't take me long to figure out it wasn't what I am searching for from a holiday experience. I prefer more substance than style, connection than commercial. I appreciated Farmhouse Flammkuchen, the beer steins, polish pottery, and Bob's Belgian Hot Chocolate. If I lived closer, there's no doubt I'd probably visit this regularly but even living in nearby Lawrence I simply don't consider it an experience I'll go out of my way to have. We all need our own holiday experiences and I'm thrilled for those who enjoy this experience. It's simply not quite what I'm looking for and won't find its way on my regular holiday rotation. read more

Carmel Christkindlmarkt - Train Display - Skating Rinks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

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The last time I was here must have been one of the first times they held this market. At the time, I was a bit disappointed, because it was rather small. But it seems that over time, it has just gotten bigger and better. It still isn't as big as the one in downtown Chicago, but the crowd here in much more manageable. I'm a huge fan of gingerbread (Lebkuchen), so they were probably going to get 5 stars from me if nothing else, than because they had gingerbread lattes at the Java House booth. But it is a solid market. I would like to see more options in the boozy hot drinks and maybe a bigger booth with more ornaments, but I think this is going to be a yearly visit. If you go, be adventurous with the food. The Currywurst was on point and the tartiflette was tasty, though we ended up getting a bit too much food. read more

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The only way to beat this event is to fly to Germany and go to one there! This is a top notch event - I have to go every year... it's that nice! New this year are the cabins to sit in. They will probably fit 8-10 people. There is a heater and 2 chandeliers. I really hope strangers share these - sit for a few minutes and warm up - maybe finish a meal - talk to the other people in the booth. Don't waste a chance - there were only 2 cabins on Media Day - I Hope More Are Coming! The yummy snacky food keeps you going from booth to booth... sometimes you can't try it all and you have to schedule another visit! I've been here every year and still have not had that darn Raclette! 2023 is my year!! read more

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It was my second time visiting the Carmel Christkindlmarkt! This place was PACKED; but as it should be. It is an incredible experience made for literally all ages. The set up is beautifully done, christmas trees are everywhere, lights are everywhere. It's truly magical around this time of year. Unfortunately it was so packed and lines were so long, we were only able to try a waffle and mulled wine. My only advice for years ahead is to have more than 1 station for the wheel of cheese, alcohol, brats, etc. (AKA the popular dishes). This way more people are able to try all the food out without spending half their time that they're there in line. The waffle was so good I can't even explain it. The kind folks working were so personable and interactive! The waffle was hot and they had many toppings to choose from. We went with nutella, chocolate sauce, sprinkles, powdered sugar and whipped cream. A DREAM! The mulled wine was hot and delicious and everything you'd expect. Overall a fabulous experience! Unfortunately the ice skating rink was melted because it was 60 degrees in December. Not their fault obviously! read more

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My 350th review! Okay, so this is my first holidays in Indiana and I had to visit Carmel Christkindlmarkt. It was so festive!! I've never been to a holiday market event like this before. I didn't mind the open air environment and the winter cold, because actually...being bundled up in a scarf, gloves, sweater, jacket, and boots, made the experience even more fun! The Christmas lights and music mixed with happy people having a good time really puts you in the holiday spirit. I've already been two times this season. It's a fun outing with friends and family. There are a lot of food and drink options. The hot cocoa at the chocolate hut (selling chocolate covered treats) had options of milk chocolate or dark. I got the blend and it was so good. Admission and parking are free. And I was lucky enough to go the first week they opened for the season and purchased one of their annual boot mugs. I went again two weeks before Christmas and they were sold out. read more

If you don't do anything else this holiday season, go here! It really just sets the mood for Christmas. The ice rink, the food vendors, and the night we were there they had live music. I love that it's free to walk around, no pressure to buy anything you can just walk, browse the booths and people watch. We didn't eat anything this time around but we did try the cranberry mulled wine (10/10) and the Belgium hot chocolate (3/10) this hot chocolate had really great reviews so I'm not sure if I had a bad batch or I really just didn't like it, I did get a cup that was at the bottom of the drink container so I'm not sure if that made it taste different but I did not like this at all. I will definitely be going back to snag some rachellette! read more

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I've been to nearly all of the Carmel Christkindlmarkts and it's a nice event. However, it always feels a bit strange to me to be meandering through the huts eating German food and looking at German wares in the middle of Indiana. Don't get me wrong - it's a fun event, and the food is pretty spectacular. But be prepared that this is basically Epcot: Christmas in Germany. Be warned, that it is very crowded and as a result can be difficult to navigate. And, if it's too warm, you won't be able to ice skate. The performances are fun and the music is lively. The food is fabulous, though expensive. Recommended: mulled wine, bratwurst, raclette. Carmel Christkindlmarkt is a pleasant experience to attend and start off your holiday season. read more

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 read more

This market is AMAZING!! I have never been here before and I don't know how!! I already have plans to go back another time this holiday season. We found parking on some side street close to the market for free and was able to walk down. We were greeted with live music and lots to do. We first got some currywurst from one of the vendors and ate it while standing next to one of the fire pit tables. We then got some mulled wine (I tried the elderberry flavor) and the mulled beer- which I had never heard of! I would probably try a different flavor of the mulled wine since I would have liked a red wine versus a white one, but the mulled beer was surprisingly very good. I would get that again!! Next we hit up the raclette and got the one with prosciutto. It was SO COOL to watch the cheese heat up and then scrape it onto our sandwich. Next we got the potato pancakes which were also pretty good. A little heavy on the pepper, but for sure get the sour cream and applesauce to help with that! I wish I had gotten the donor kebab because they are no longer serving that for the rest of the season (they mentioned that in an Instagram post). I finished up with the Belgian hot chocolate which was, no joke, the best hot chocolate I have ever had. They put handmade whipped cream on top and serve it with a cute cookie on top of your lid. We did not have time for ice skating this time, and there are still sooo many foods we wanted to try. We will be back, this year and the next and the next and the next.... read more

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I absolutely love Christmas and everything about it. First time checking out the market and I did not expect so many people or such long lines. I had looked at the map but didn't realize that no two booths were the same. It was too cold to stand in long lines for me. The ice skating rink was also closed, due to inclement weather. It was hard to walk around with a beverage because people aren't paying attention. Parking was a disaster. I wish the parking garage had a way to let you know where parking was available and how much is available. Made it to one booth, with a short line and they were out of the donut holes but had apple streusel. The dough was one of the best I've had, the filling was missing some flavor and the hot chocolate was overly sweet for me, the whipped topping helped a little with the sweetness. But this booth was fairly priced compared to the rest, with the hot chocolate and they added a lot more than the other booths. I feel that maybe going during the week out be better to avoid such long lines. The one line I didn't care for was the Raclette cheese. I love me some stinky cheese, but this I could not bear the smell and it had such a long line, I was surprised. The Christmas lights were beautiful and I much enjoyed seeing how it was decorated. The head lamps helped but I'm short so only the top of my head got some heat. I didn't realize that dogs were allowed, it was hard because I felt like I as going to trip over them with so many people around. read more

Carmel Christkindlmarkt - Salted caramel hot chocolate - Skating Rinks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

I love the christkindlemarkt! We make sure to go every year. This year it seems as though they have added even more food vendors. Highly recommend getting a raclette if you have never done so before. If you love cheese and bread it's perfect for you! I look forward to getting my raclette every single year. One of the new stands this year has fry bread/dough with various topping options. We went with a classic and got the cinnamon sugar which was basically just an elephant ear. The market is a great place for family and friends to really get you into the holiday spirit! There is much to see and do and also live music! read more

Carmel Christkindlmarkt - Raclette - Skating Rinks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

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What a unique experience! We wanted to avoid big crowds so went after Christmas, but it was still pretty busy for a weekend evening--but plenty to do. Even late in the event, the ice skating sold out pretty early (around 6pm) so definitely plan ahead if you're looking to do that. (With two little ones in tow, this fortunately wasn't on our list to try this year.) Going late some of the vendor booths were a little light on what they had for sale, but it was still really neat to see all the different items for sale. Very authentic food options abound as well - I wish I had planned ahead and waited to eat a few different places here. If you haven't been before, this is absolutely a must at least once for your holiday traditions! read more

Was excited to attend media day at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt as a yelper! What a beautiful night for the VIP event. Even though it was too warm to open the ice-skating rink, the market still provided a festive atmosphere. All the shop owners and vendors were in the spirit and we enjoyed many wonderful samples of German food such as strudel, sausages, potato pancakes, pretzels, and mulled wine. The shops had a variety of things for sale, like ornaments and cuckoo clocks, scarves and mittens, German candy, jewelry, candles, etc. Of course I had to buy something.! Good place to pick up some Christmas presents! Live music played the entire time we were there, and there were several warming stations and fireplaces. The annual Carmel Christkindlmarkt festival kicks off this weekend, so put it on your calendar for a fun family event. read more

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In comparison to the Chicago Christkindlmarkt this was so much better! Though it was a little crowded it was still easy to get around. We didn't wait more than two minutes for drinks or food. The shops looked authentic. read more

Cute outdoor shopping area is perfect for the season. I'm not much of a shopper, but if I were, I'm sure I'd pick up a unique gift or two. Lots of German food options, too. And portable heaters take the edge off of the cold. Spent most of our time taking our kids ice skating. A little overpriced, at $14 for 90 minutes of ice time. But it's worth doing once a year, especially to make memories with little ones. Our boys had a blast. read more

Fun walking experience! So many vendors with gifts and foods. The cocoa lines are fierce... and anyone who's been will remember the raclette cheese! read more

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and the chriskindlemart is a MUST visit during it! We went on a Saturday afternoon. If you have no idea what this place is, think of an outdoor German Christmas festival. It's got it all; an ice skating rink, mulled wine and beer, German food, souvenirs, lights, a band playing, and lights galore. Definitely recommend the baked apple mulled wine- tastes like hot apple cider with a kick. If you want to be even more festive, there are little train souvenir cups you can buy and drink the wine from! How cute is that!? Food wise- you HAVE to get a raclette. It is a stinky cheese stand, but the cheese is AMAZING. You can choose from ham, salami, bratwurst, or vegetarian. I had the salami with all the fixings and it was delicious. To see the hot cheese sliced in front of you is a whole different experience. Also if you pass the nut stand, they have sugar coated pecans and cashews and they are delicious as well! If you do decide to visit this magical place and be in a real life christmas story- be prepared to stand in line. The mulled wine line was pretty quick and only took about 5 min each time. We were in the raclette line for over an hour. Worth it, yes, but just be prepared to be patient. We wanted to get a pretzel too, but the line was so long that we didn't want to wait another hour. Also, along with other magical places, the prices here are a bit high. Mulled wine was $8/glass, plus another $5 for the souvenir. Raclette was $15-$18, and the nuts were $13. Ornaments and other souvenirs starring price was a minimum of $20, even for the tiny ones. I absolutely love this place and love the holiday tradition! Can't wait to return next year, and the year after that, and the year after that, and the year after that, and.... :) read more

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"You've come a long way, Baby!" While I haven't been to all 6 Markets held since 2017, I've been to 5, including the first and second, as well as the the most recent (2023). And I have to say, organizers have upped their game every time I've attended. And it's a good thing. Because this market has gotten so popular, hundreds of thousands now come. The Market's attendance doubled in its second year (2018) as reported by IBJ. The following year, reported attendance was 300,000, and 2019 was the same year the Market got its first #1 ranking in USA Today. I can't even imagine what it was this past season. I remember the first year when most everything sold out early in the season and wasn't reordered. There were a lot of offerings in the tacky tchotchke category. No more! The vendors are top-notch and you will find authentic German items here you can't get too many places if anywhere this side of the Atlantic. The market seems substantially juried from that standpoint. They have a good handle on supply and demand for food and goods at this point, even with the crazy growth. I actually went twice this year, once on a Sunday evening, Nov. 19 and then a Saturday, Dec. 9. Both were busy, the latter visit was an absolute zoo with wall-to-wall people. Perhaps it's the awards the market has won, such as USA Today's #1 Readers Choice Best Holiday Market for 4 straight years or the Indy's Best Things 2023 Choice Award, but the market draws a huge crowd reminiscent of the most crowded nights of the State Fair (but a whole lot safer). More likely it's that there's just so much more to experience. Market went from about 40 to now over 60 vendors booths. Through the years, food offerings have grown from a few offering snack food and mostly sweets to several booths also offering substantial main course faire, many with multiple menu items. The events program is chock full, especially this past Market with a new artisan workshop, a separate crafts area, and character experiences such as meets with Santa. Glass blowers came in early December and wood carving demonstrations lasted for the duration. There's even a mini German cultural museum. Live music has always been a mainstay, but the quality and quantity has ramped up. There are photo opps galore and in fact this year I noted several places where families were taking their holiday photos. Hours have certainly expanded over the years to help keep up with demand. Go early in the season and on a Thursday or Sunday evening to avoid the huge crowds. Fridays and Saturdays are particularly crazy all season as the Market spans both Thanksgiving and Christmas. read more

I love the idea of this. But I should have went on a weekday. But it was so picturesque. Will try to go back to try more food and take more pictures. read more

Carmel Christkindlmarkt - Boot mug - Skating Rinks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

I think this is probably one of the best christkindlmarkts out there. There are so many huts with such great options and German influenced foods, beverages, gifts, and other shopping. I loved that the heated lamps where there, made it nice regardless of weather. read more

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Yikes..... if you like going to a place and shelling out eight dollars for a warm beer, then this is the place for you!! I was actually excited to try a couple of the different German beers they had to offer. As I got the first one, when I took it, it was warm, I asked her if I could have a cold one and she said that all of the beers are served at "room" temperature, as she made a face at me, she asked me to pay and be sure to fill out everything including the tip option for such awesome service! A nice event, but cmon guys, go that extra mile and serve cold beer!! read more

This is such a fun activity to do with friends and family! There are so many food venders and shops located around the ice rink. The market is beautifully decorated and looks like a hallmark movie. It gets very crowded on weekends, so I would suggest coming on a weekday if possible. There are several parking garages in the area and the market is free to enter. read more

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Adorable, but so crowded you couldn't move. Anywhere. Lines for the lines. People shoving you in every direction. Shoving my toddler! You couldn't breathe. It was just too much. Couldn't even get anything or look at any booths. It was absolutely unsafe to have that many people there and I also didn't see a single police officer which I think is interesting with that level of traffic and pedestrian congestion. Every year I come back hoping they have fixed the crowded issue but they just continue to let it worsen. I won't be back, and if you're planning on coming with small children I would highly reconsider. It just truly is not safe. read more

Carmel Christkindlmarkt - This was as empty as it got anywhere. - Skating Rinks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

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You know Christmas is coming when you see the Christkindlmarket begin to get set up in the middle of fall. It's a gorgeous and festive set up right in downtown Carmel by the Palladium. Parking can be super swamped, but there are numerous parking garages surrounding the area to find a spot. This is a super popular holiday activity so it's almost always very very crowded. Ice skating is a LONG line to wait in, especially in the cold. The smells flowing through this place are either absolutely heavenly (the spiced nuts) or atrocious (from the raclette cheese, still delicious sandwich thought!) The prices are standard for a quality pop up event. There's beer and wine options, plus hot chocolate stations. The shops themselves are cute to browse, they definitely represent a german Christmas. There's heaters everywhere so the cold doesn't bother you and instead actually puts you in a festive mood. If you need to get into the Christmas spirit, stop by when it's getting dark and enjoy the lights too! read more

My Indy family and I visited here for the first time on 12/12/19 at around 845pm. I learned of this place from Indy Yelp friends who had gone here. My Indy family we're not even aware this was an event that is ongoing from Nov 16-Dec 24 (closed Thanksgiving). There's a skating rink and German food booths with pastries, candies, bratwurst hotdogs, beer, etc and some German stuff for purchase. It was very interesting. I've never been to Germany or been in a restaurant or place of the like. There were live singers on stage. We tried the hot chocolate and beignets. We had a short fun time. We left as it was cold and the temperature dropped pretty quickly. Overall, we had a great time. It was a great experience. read more

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It's the most wonderful time of the year! Great market, so much fun things to do and see. Please understand it does get very crowded on the weekends so waiting is to be expected. But it's worth the trip everytime! Tons of food vendors, Christmas themed vendors and just something for everyone! read more

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