It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas in Carmel
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas in Carmel, as the city’s Christkindlmarkt opens for the second year on Saturday, November 17. Through December 23, Carmel’s Center Green is transformed into an outdoor, old-world German Christmas market. Visitors can find many reasons to celebrate the jolly holiday, including German food and beverages, holiday gifts to purchase, ice skating and lots of fun for families.
Kinderecke “Kids Corner” at the Christkindlmarkt
New for 2018 – and of special interest to families – is the Kinderecke, or “Kids Corner” at the Christkindlmarkt. This special area for kids and their families is a place to color, craft and play together. Kinderecke is located inside hut #41 by The Tarkington Theatre. Families who visit the Kids Corner can create a craft to take home (such as a holiday ornament or decoration), build something imaginative in the Maker Space, and color or write a letter to a friend.
On certain days, special costumed characters and performers will stop by the Kinderecke. Performers include the Christkind, Saint Nickolaus, Grimm’s fairytale princesses, Mr. Daniel and more. Kids can also sign up for a Kinder Club passport, and get their passport stamped from market huts that display the Kinder Club passport symbol. Kids who collect at least five stamps can present their passport at the guest services hut for a special prize.
Gluhwein Pyramid
All that family fun will undoubtedly make you thirsty, so after you’re done crafting, head over to the Gluhwein Pyramid, which is another new feature of this year’s Christkindlmarkt. You won’t be able to miss it, because it stands 33 feet tall and is decorated with more than 3,000 lights. Inside this towering pyramid you’ll find beverages for adults (mulled wine, German beer and hard apple cider) as well as non-alcoholic fare for adults and children alike (cranberry-orange punch).
This year’s Christkindlmarkt will feature more than 47 vendors. Including gift and craft vendors selling everything from ornaments to nutcrackers, as well as food vendors serving up the traditional and popular raclette (a Swiss-German delicacy made of melted cheese), German pretzels, bratwurst, waffles and more.
Ice Skating
And, of course, ice skating. Don’t miss out on lacing up your skates and taking a trip around the ice rink, which is located in the center of the Christkindlmarkt. The Ice at Center Green is open November 17 through March 10, 2019. Ice skating prices are $10 per session for youth and adults 11 years and older, and $8 per session for children 10 and younger. Skate rental is $4 for all ages. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, guests can skate all day (4-9 pm) for one price.
More Info about Carmel Christkindlmarkt:
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt is located at One Center Green in Carmel, Indiana. It runs from November 17 through December 23, 2018. The Christkindlmarkt is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-9 pm, and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12-9 pm. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and closed on Thanksgiving Day (November 22). Entrance into the Christkindlmarkt is free. For more information, visit www.carmelchristkindlmarkt.com. For more information about ice skating at The Ice at Center Green, visit www.theiceatcentergreen.com.
