Visit the open-air Belleville Christkindlmarkt with food, entertainment, European crafts, and beverages this holiday season.

Our Time at Belleville Christkindlmarkt

The open-air market in Belleville, Il., is modeled after the Christmas Markets in Germany. It is located at the corner of Main and Illinois streets in downtown Belleville. We parked in a nearby lot by A and High Streets and then walked down High Street to the market area on Main Street.

In the middle of the intersection of Illinois and Main Street near the Christmas market is a tall Christmas tree with displays around it.

We first checked out a vendor filled with gift ideas, including German houses where you could recreate a Bavarian village.

My son’s favorite vendor is Brick Pick with their Lego figurines.

Across the street, we found a booth with Russian dolls and other European ceramic items.

Then we bought some popcorn from Abe’s Gourmet Popcorn.

SHOP VENDORS OVERVIEW

Abigail’s Candle Company – Assorted beeswax and soy candles, children’s cupcake soap and toy bath bombs, beard oil, sugar scrubs, bath salt, and more!

Alegria Studios- Adorable pet accessories, pampering products, treats, and personalized ornaments for the four-legged friends on your gift list

Angel and Miner- Original hand crafted lace from Germany; lace table runners and coverings, window decor, wooden smokers, pyramids, tree ornaments, toppers, and the world famous Steinbach Nutcrackers! Beautifully hand-crafted nativities and tree ornaments directly from Germany to start or continue your holiday traditions.

Austin Mohair Socks– Socks that are durable for hiking.

Brick Pick — Custom Lego display frames and mini figures and one-of-a-kind artwork.

Irie Elements – A local jewelry line that includes hand-fused glass married with hand-fabricated silver.

Judite’ Jewelry – Crystal and leather jewelry in various themes including music, sports, holidays

Kimberly Smith art+design – Crystal and leather jewelry in various themes including music, sports, holidays

Moon Glory Gears -Unique 3-D and functional art, including lockets and pocket watches, adorned with tiny gears, gem stones, and other decorations. These are truly one-of-a-kind works of art.

Modern German Lace – Original hand-crafted lace from Germany; lace table runners and coverings, window decor, wooden smokers, pyramids, tree ornaments, toppers, and the world-famous Steinbach Nutcrackers.

New York Puzzle Company – Jigsaw puzzles – between 20 and 2000 pieces – with a distinct literary and nostalgic feel, drawing inspiration from the clever wit of The New Yorker magazine, classic book art, and collaborations with independent artists. Jigsaw puzzle Advent calendars, porcelain mugs, and playing cards.

Night Raven Herbal Teas – Delicious herbal teas in a variety of flavors, available in take-home packaging for you or in convenient travel tea sets.

Peeping Tom’s Cottage – Ceramic tiles, porcelain ornaments, and themed canvases individually designed and created, using as many as 6 layers of ink and gloss in designated areas to create a sense of depth.

Rovals Decor – Handmade wooden pieces using various woods to create one of kind designs to be cherished for years to come.

Signs, Shield, Delivered – Laser-engraved wood & acrylic Christmas ornaments. Personalized large wood hanging signs for the home, and winter beanies with engraved leather patches.

Siostra Polish Pottery and Gifts — Hand-painted stoneware that comes from Boleslawiec, Poland.

Unique Ornaments & Gifts — Hand-blown glass ornaments handcrafted in Egypt by artisans.

Waterfall Glen Soap Company – products are layered with complex aroma blends and they believe the door to imagination begins within our innate sense of smell.

Welcome Gnome – These delightful, handmade gnomes are available as ornaments, in wreaths, gift tags, or as tree toppers.

Whimzy Collection — Felt products coming directly from Nepal.

INDOOR VENDORS

Also, on the south side, you can find additional vendors in a building.

FOOD VENDORS OVERVIEW

Abe’s Gourmet Popcorn –Made daily with many flavors to choose from.

Belleville Sister Cities — Assorted beers, homemade gluhwein, traditional hot roasted nuts, and pretzels.

Babushka’s Polish Foods — Specializes in Eastern European food, traditional Polish recipes, Pierogis, and more!

The Hay Loft – Savory candied and flavored pecans, pecan and peanut brittles, flavored peanuts, including Dill Pickle and Shiracha Ranch.

VIEW LIST OF ADDITIONAL WEEKEND VENDORS

Downtown Walk

After checking out the vendors, we walked down East Main Street in downtown Belleville. In the windows of the shops and restaurants, you will find entries for a gingerbread contest.

Carriage Rides

My son looked out into the street and saw horses clip-clop down the road. Free carriage rides are given downtown.

Carriage Ride Hours: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., Fridays; 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 23

See Santa

Kids can visit Santa at his house in the market. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Hours are also listed in front of the Santa House.

Petting Zoo

Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo- Saturdays and Sundays, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.

MORE WEEKEND ACTIVITIES ARE LISTED ON THE WEBSITE

GERMAN MARKET DETAILS

Drive: Take Interstate 55 across the Popular Street Bridge and next take exit 3 for Interstate 64. Then go south on Interstate 255 to Illinois Highway 15 and go east to Belleville. Then take the exit for Centreville Avenue and next make a right onto Washington Street. Next, make a left onto Illinois Street. Look for street or public parking near the corner of High and A Street.

Address:

30 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220

Dates: Nov. 28-30, Dec. 4-7, Dec. 11-14, Dec. 18-23

Hours: 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Sundays 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION AT https://www.bellevillechristkindlmarkt.com/

History of the Belleville Christkindlmarkt

The market is modeled after the traditional Christmas markets or Christkindmarkt in Germany and was started as part of Belleville’s year-long bicentennial celebration in 2014. Vendors sell goods from Germany but also from Poland, Ireland, Egypt, Kenya, and Nepal. Many other unique craftsmen from around the country will sell their wares here.

LUNCH BREAK IDEAS:

Copper Fire

We had lunch at the Copper Fire. Their meatballs are handmade and we had sandwiches.

Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Wednesday; 11 a.m. – 12 a.m., Thursday; 11 a.m.- 2 a.m., Friday-Saturday; 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday; Closed, Monday- Tuesday.

Address:

200 E Main St, Belleville, IL 62220

Beast Craft Bbq. Co.

Another time we were down for the German Market, we had barbecue at Beast Craft BBQ. Co. We had pulled pork, chicken wings, creamy macaroni and cheese, and seasoned brussels sprouts.

Hours: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Daily

Address: 20 S Belt W, Belleville, IL 62220

Book Store Browse: Belleville Books

Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday; 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday-Monday

Address:

20 E Main St, Belleville, IL 62220

Coffee Break: Sugar High Bakery & Cafe

Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday-Thursday; Closed, Sunday-Monday; 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Tuesday-Wednesday

Address: 100 E Main St, Belleville, IL 62221

NEARBY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DISPLAY

Our Lady of the Snows: Way of the Lights

In the evening you can go to the Our Lady of the Snows Drive-Thru Christmas Lights Display. Along with the lights, there are food, gifts, performances, and pony rides. Check the website for more information.

Hours: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., Daily Closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas & New Year’s Day. (Outdoor light display will remain open.)

Address:

442 S. Demazenod Dr., Belleville, IL 62223

ST. LOUIS AREA CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Seeing Christmas Lights on Candy Cane Lane

During the holiday season, the St. Louis Hills neighborhood along the 6500 block of Murdoch Avenue lights up with hundreds of strands of Christmas lights to become Candy Cane Lane.

See Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland of Lights

Whimsical Christmas lights reflecting off a lake are found at Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland drive-thru light display at Horner Park.