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
Whimzy Collection — Felt products coming directly from Nepal.
Siostra Polish Pottery and Gifts — Hand-painted stoneware that comes from Boleslawiec, Poland.
Irie Elements – A local jewelry line that includes hand-fused glass married with hand-fabricated silver.
Das Christkindlhaus & German Treasures — Two chalets offer unique items for sale, including traditional German souvenirs, accessories, and hand-painted glass ornaments made in Germany.
Locus Photo Art — Has John Locus photographs of local scenes of historic architecture, snow scenes, musical instruments, cars, still life scenes, animals, and more.
Unique Ornaments & Gifts — Hand-blown glass ornaments handcrafted in Egypt by artisans.
Brick Pick — Custom Lego display frames and mini figures and one-of-a-kind artwork.
Austin Mohair Socks– Socks that are durable for hiking.
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
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.
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.
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!
Oma Gisi’s German Bakery — Uses only whole wheat organic flour, whole grains, and the freshest ingredients to bake loaves of bread, pretzel rolls, rolls, pastries, cookies, and cakes using traditional German recipes.
Troy’s Flavored Pecans- Hand-crafted pecan brittle, roasted seasoned Missouri pecan halves and pieces, pecan oil, Amish jams, and jellies.
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.
This gingerbread house was a winner in the competition.
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. – 8:30 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 house.
Petting Zoo
Rainbow Ranch Petting Zoo- Dec. 7, 8, 21-22, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.
Lunch Break: 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
Book Store Browse: Belleville Books
Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Thursday-Saturday; 10 a.m. – 4p.m., Sunday-Monday; 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Tuesday-Wednesday
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
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.
DETAILS
Drive: Take Interstate 55 across the Popular State Bridge then take exit 3 for Interstate 64 and then go south on Interstate 255 to Illinois Highway 15 and go east to Belleville. Then take the exit for Centreville Avenue then make a right onto Washington Street then 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: Dec. 5-8, Dec. 12-15, and Dec. 19-23
Hours: 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Sundays 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
MORE INFORMATION AT https://www.bellevillechristkindlmarkt.com/
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.
