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    Christkindlmarket Aurora

    3.7 (39 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Christkindlmarket Aurora Photos

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    Leslie A.

    This is my second time in three years coming here. My last visit was in 2023. And this time this is my first visit in the evening and on Saturday. I was a little disappointed to see that the parking was $10 at the metro station directly across the street which also happens to be the most convenient I think as far as walking to the market. The first sign you see says full a lot, but if you go to the second stoplight, they're allowing you to turn into the same full lot and find parking. Which then makes me think no one's really monitoring the lot. This year they specifically moved the raclette booth over to a far side of the market so as to not create lines in traffic in the main section. This is a smart move. I feel like the price went up as they are now $20 and this is rather expensive if you ask me considering that they are not generous on the meat or the cheese. The Belgium fries kiosk unfortunately it was very bad. It was 1299 for not a lot of fries and very bluntly. They were 100% soggy in fact a lady who had ordered them right before us came back complaining about them being 100% soggy so I waited until the fresh batch came out and those also were 100% soggy stay away. This year you seem to have a lot more booths for some reason I feel like especially with some of the things to sell. I really wish they would increase the options for ready to eat foods. For example, there's no barbecue there's no stand for au gratin potatoes. They could definitely use more alcoholic options like champagne. Could also use more baked goods options. I went to the French stand for the croissants and macaroons and they had no croissants. And on this particular night, I hate to pick on people, but the man working there truly looked like he hated being there. Year after year I hope that they get better especially with tables and seating and they don't. Really sad to see that they still have very few to no seats or even just standup table for people to put their cup down on this particular Saturday night all of the trees, the smaller trees for some reason all headlights and none of them were turned on. This year was a little underwhelming

    Drashti T.

    A great joyful event to attend in the suburbs of Aurora. This was my first time attending and it was fun. There was $10 parking across the street which was easily accessible to enter the event. The event itself had a lot of vendors that were indoor and outdoors in case you needed a break from the cold. The vendors were all very friendly. They had plenty of food options that it was easily to drink/eat and walk around. They even had a Photo Booth which was very fun to talk with friends. They had a great range of Christmas items to choose from. They did have a variety of price depending on what you wanted to get. Overall, it was a great time during Christmas time.

    Bob's Belgium Hot Chocolate and cookies
    Linda P.

    We attended the Christkindlmarket on Black Friday. I was pleasantly surprised that it seemed bigger than in previous years. Everything we ate was delicious. I particularly liked the crepes. My suggestion is to go hungry!! The food stalls seem to outnumber the regular shops. I was annoyed that we couldn't take drinks into some of the vendors and no signs were posted before we got in line.

    Lana T.

    Came here on Thanksgiving and it's pretty nice but super cold. There was no wait line compared to the loop. We got the hot chocolate with the Chicago heart shape cup and it was good but every other stalls also had hot chocolate but for cheaper. We also got the fluffy marshmallows hot chocolates which was a little sweet. Overall it was pretty open and had a variety of stalls. We also got Dave's coffee cake the variety pack and the masala curry fries was just a sprinkle of like spice and not real masala.

    Donna F.

    I believe there is an opportunity to enhance the visitor experience by offering a wider variety of activities beyond just shopping & dining. Adding attractions like ice skating or tube slides could encourage guests who travel from afar to stay longer & truly enjoy their visit. Aurora, known as the "City of Lights," has an excellent opportunity to showcase this theme, especially during Christmas when light displays are so beloved. By highlighting this aspect, you create a compelling reason for visitors to return year after year & enhance the overall appeal of Christkindlmarket. During our visit on a Sunday, we arrived 3 hrs before closing & found the place quite crowded still. Unfortunately, we spent the entire time lining up for hot cocoa & crepes, limiting our ability to explore the stores. Parking was readily available, esp if you don't mind a 5-10 min walk. I took most of these photos 10mins after they announced that they were closed & on our way out.

    Pierogis and stuffed cabbage roll
    Teresa M.

    I just love Christkindlmarket! I'm so happy they have a location in Aurora because in my opinion, it's better than the one in the city. My husband and I shopped so much here! We enjoyed great food, got new body care, coffee cakes, gifts for our dogs, ornaments, hats, the list goes on! The hand painted ornaments are just so adorable. Last year my husband and I wanted to make it a yearly tradition to pick out a couple ornaments each year. The vendors are great and so nice, food is great, and the ambiance is unmatched. Love that the parking is right across the street so very easy access to the market. Thanks for another great year!!

    Baked cheese vendor.
    Mel C.

    Christkindlmarket is always a fun and festive start the holiday season, especially at this spacious location in Aurora. Parking: Pay $10 to park in the lot close by where a shuttle is available, unless you prefer to walk. There's free parking across the bridge or a farther walk from the market area. Vendors: They are spread out nicely here and expect to pay the usual high prices for gifts, but you can find some unique items. The spiced wine in a boot mug is a must, and serves as a nice hand warmer. Unlike the Chicago location, you can move around here without being shoulder-to-shoulder with others. We went on a Friday during lunch hour and it wasn't too crowded yet. Food & Drink: Plan ahead, as the lines did get long and some of the temporary tents have a line to wait as they space out entry to the inside. There are areas to stop and sit or stand while you drink a beverage, or nibble on a Bavarian pretzel. The baked cheese vendor had the longest line I saw that day. Pet friendly: You can bring dogs here but I suggest only if you have a well-behaved, friendly pet. Ours received a lot of love and requests to pet them. Shopping tip: Be sure to shop around. One vendor was selling small wooden nut crackers for $45 then I found one the exact same size and look at an indoor shop for around $16. Restrooms: Since this is at Rivers Edge, there is a building with restrooms with sinks and nice Dyson hand dryers.

    Lisa C.

    This was my first visit to any of the Chicagoland Christmas markets. I heard Aurora was less crowded but on a Sunday it was still PACKED. We had the beverages and got all the mugs. We also bought the coffee cakes (great gifts!). Prices were about as expected. Nothing was cheap! But a fun experience, for sure.

    Gorgeous lights and booths on both sides with red & white striped roofs!
    Eric S.

    BAVARIAN CHRISTMAS Aurora's pared-down version of Chicago's Christkindlmarket is ideally suited for the suburbs. For as long as I can remember, my family has made the annual holiday pilgrimage to this beloved outdoor market. The OG location in Daley Plaza is harder to get to (not to mention crowded as hell), so the Aurora Christkindlmarket is the one we've started visiting. They've got most of the same things, but this version is much more accessible. Parking across the street in the Metra commuter lot is $10, which is up from $5 a couple years ago. There's free parking available in a lot to the south, but it's not clearly marked and you'll have to walk a bit. Inside the market, there's scores of vendors in red & white striped tents, some local and others from Europe. Potato pancakes ($10) are a must-order item; get them with sour cream & applesauce ("the works") for $1. The 'kilometer' ($9) is a footlong Thüringer sausage, consider adding sauerkraut for an extra buck. The goulash soup ($6) hits the spot on a cold day--it's hearty and great for keeping hands warm. I highly recommend the raclette (especially the 'jambon cru') for $16, which has melted alpine cheese, ham, pickles, and dijon mustard on a toasted baguette. It's expensive but delicious, and it's something I was never able to get at the Christkindlmarket in the city as the line was always a mile long. Glüwein (mulled red wine) comes in a decorative and highly sought-after mug. These collectibles run $12, refills are $10, and this year they were a Tiffany blue color which my wife absolutely loved. We saw other market-goers drinking out of mugs shaped like a shoe. Other booths sell pierogies, sweet & savory crepes, strudel, Belgian hot cocoa, roasted cinnamon nuts, and warm pretzels. Prices seem to be the same as they are downtown. Crowds aren't too bad early in the season, though evenings can get very busy as the calendar approaches the 24th. There's a large, heated tent for ornaments and another one for chocolates, gingerbread, marzipan, and other sweets. They also have a warming tent with benches that become vital on nights in December when temps are in the 10's and 20's. Regardless, dress warmly in layers! *TL;DR * If you weren't freezing your ass off waiting for mulled wine & melted cheese, did you even celebrate the holidays? For many, visiting the Christkindlmarket has become a yearly tradition. I've always looked forward to it, and now my wife, son, and any other future kid(s) we have can get excited about the sights, sounds, and smells of this wonderfully festive German holiday market. While the food is tasty and the atmosphere is delightful, concessions aren't any cheaper than they are in the heart of downtown Chicago, and that's what stops me from giving Aurora's Christkindlmarket five stars.

    Meia S.

    Decided to go and check it out since we was cold outside and wanted to be away from Chicago's lake breeze! It was a plus that two brothers brewery was right across the street as well! I felt like this was bigger than its Chicago counterpart and while there is $10 parking you can park a block away for free! There was a scavenger hunt for the kids and all the shops you would see at the Chicago Christkindlmarket! Plus there were no lines! We now prefer to go here! Glad that we checked it out!

    Ruth L.

    Always something we look forward to every year. More vendors at Aurora this year. Pierogis, cookies, cakes, German market, stroopwafels, belgian fries, cabbage rolls, cocoa, wine, beer, raclette sandwiches, candied nuts, chocolates. Many options to enjoy. Other vendors are there with merch like hats, clothings, gloves, ornaments, $$-$, most food items start at $10. Portions are average, but be prepared to spend some decent change while there. Some items are more worth it than others in my opinion. Parking is $10, public bathroom facility is available (not portable pottys) - an actual clean bathroom - that's the bonus of coming to this location versus the Chicago markets.

    Shannon M.

    After living in Chicagoland for a decade and a half, I have been to many Christkindlmarkts over the years (Daly Plaza, a few years in Naperville and Oak Brook). I have to say this was a good choice for a suburban location because it was a large space with nearby parking. We went on opening day because it was sunny and mild; I rather expected it to be more crowded but it wasn't too bad (I have been to the downtown Chicago location when you literally couldn't move because there were so many people). The vendors were about 50/50 food and gift items. For food, we got Belgian hot chocolate, a Bavarian pretzel, ham and cheese croissant, and macarons (the kid running this booth didn't have a smaller box for 4 macarons and told me, "It's ok, they still taste good if they get smashed!" Uhh...at $4 each they had better be in perfect condition when I get home.) We also purchased a Polish pottery ornament, goodies from the Sweet Castle, honey, and dip mixes. There are the two big Kathe Wolfhardtt tents for blown glass ornaments, the large Sweet Castle tent, as well as a warming tent where a three piece oompah band was playing while we ate. Make sure not to miss photo ops (everything from actual photo booths, to various selfies stations around the grounds). The only thing I can grumble about is that as a person who uses the cane, the paved ground was rather irregular in this park, and it seemed like NO ONE at this event had any spatial awareness whatsoever! So it made for a day of trying not to stumble as I kept stopping short as someone would just mindlessly pause despite the flow of foot traffic, or jump in front of me to look at something without warning. Also, there was zero sign of Krampus merchandise! I have always seen candy, ornaments, jumping jacks in the past. So that was odd Overall though, this is a fun event, particularly on a warmer day.

    Potato Pancakes (with sour cream and apple sauce)
    Hemali S.

    This was my first time going to aurora for the christkindlemarket - and it was significantly less crowded (especially if that was an issue you had with the downtown location). The selection is vast and the prices seem like normal. The service is quick. We did go on the first day - which was a Friday so could help with the crowd.

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    7 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Best location in my opinion. Way more walking room and less crowds. Parking is directly across the street.

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    It's a nice place but it's so crowded you can't even move or walk around. Parking is abysmal.

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    Wish it was a bit bigger with more variety. The atmosphere was great- food was good- not too many variety's. They ran out of the 2023 mug-

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    Ask the Community - Christkindlmarket Aurora

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    December 24,2025

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    Review Highlights - Christkindlmarket Aurora

    $13 for a souvenir mug of wine, and the rest on a chocolate crepe, cookies & marzipan candy, etc.

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    Aurora Farmers Market Downtown

    Aurora Farmers Market Downtown

    4.5
    (11 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    Great Farmer's Market! Very big, bright, and a lot of variety of vendors....from fresh bakery items…read moreto fresh big beautiful flowers and homemade dog treats with wholesome ingredients. It was very hot outside so my visit was not as long as I would have liked but very good experience and one of the best if not the best farmer's market I've been to. Great neighborhood as well with lots of restaurants, stores, etc.

    This is fabulous is Farmers Market Downtown Aurora! Parking was a breeze and the market is spaced…read moreout well. You can stop by any time from June to October on Saturdays I believe- weather dependent. The market is on the smaller side so you can get through it quickly. There is still a pretty big selection here of local goodies. From donuts to coffee to homemade jewelry and all in between. We ended up grabbing a few bags of coffee from Gigawatt coffee roasters. We got the Ethiopian medium roast and the Costa Rican light roast. The Ethiopian had honey, strawberry and shortbread notes. The Costa Rican one had orange, peach, and brown sugar notes. My favorite had to be the Costa Rican one but I like my coffee roasts light so it has an unfair advantage ;) Both coffees had a super smooth taste. I wish I could bottle up the smell of the freshness!! Grinding and brewing these beans filled up our kitchen so nicely. They also put the roast date on the package which is a huge bonus for us coffee snobs. All in all, we enjoyed our time here at the market. Everyone was very friendly and like I mentioned, the market is easily walkable.

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    Mayneland Farm

    Mayneland Farm

    4.4
    (14 reviews)
    8.3 mi
    $

    They used to be amazing! I loved their produce and friendly service. However, since the farm has…read morebeen sold to another management, it has gone downhill. Numerous times, I have caught them overcharging and quoting weights that were larger than what it was. I stopped going to their questionable integrity. Thankfully, there are many other farmers in the area that I prefer to support. One of them is certified organic.

    I decided that today will be my last visit here. I live right down the road, and sometimes I walk…read morehere to get my "steps" in. I have gone here for over 20 years, and during most visits I have not been treated well. The ladies have been unhelpful, or closed-mouthed when answering my questions, and just simply unfriendly. Perhaps they are just over-worked or tired. At least that's how I justified their off-handed treatment of me, and my continued patronage over the years. So I put up with a fleeting moment of mistreatment. But today, that same old bad attitude appeared after I asked a simple question during my visit, that could've been answered more directly & easily. I questioned myself why do I even bother, especially when their produce isn't superior to other places I can go, to get farm fresh produce. There are more farmer's markets around, such as McDonald's Farm at Knoch Knolls Park in Naperville. Maybe my visits were wrapped in (wannabe) nostalgia, or due to convenience of location. Whatever, today I hit the top of my tolerance for their rude-ish treatment. This decision should have been made after an earlier visit this summer when a cashier looked at me crazy because I did not leave an electronically-produced request for a tip. For what?? Standing there just doing your job ringing up an order??? And lastly, their produce isn't the tastiest, and is really overpriced in comparison to other places around. I guess I kind of felt sorry & wanted to support the place. But no more. I am finally done. Fed up and moving on. Mayneland Farm is no longer an option for me.

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    A fall scene, Oct 2022.
    A fall scene, Oct 2022.
    10-12-2022.
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    10-12-2022.

    Christkindlmarket Aurora - publicmarkets - Updated June 2026

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