Arlington, Texas is legendary for being the destination for fun with world-renowned attractions like home of the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, home of the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Park and Six Flags Over Texas. And when it comes to the holidays, in true American Dream City fashion, the city lights up the region with unique events and activities that will create beautiful memories to last a lifetime. From strolling through its authentic German month-long holiday celebration Texas Christkindl Market , admiring the floats at the annual community-driven Arlington Parade of Lights, admiring the beautiful Christmas décor drive through historical Interlochen Lights, or enjoying the thrills of Holiday in the Park, Arlington has something for everyone to enjoy.
In its fifth year, the Texas Christkindl Market is one of the largest open-air holiday markets in the Southwest. Inspired by a cherished German tradition, this free, family-friendly market features a unique shopping experience for holiday gifts, decorations, and unique one-of-a-kind finds. Guests can shop for traditional handcrafted gifts and collectibles straight from Germany including exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt merchandise and designs from the iconic Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village. Indulging in authentic German treats and eats while enjoying festive music and entertainment throughout the Market is always a crowd pleaser. Several new features including a Kinder Market have been added this year to make it a destination guests will continue to enjoy throughout the entire event, Nov. 27 – Dec. 23, 2015.
SPECIAL EVENTS NOT TO MISS:
Opening Ceremonies - Nov. 27 at 6 pm
Kicking off the 2015 Market, the community is invited to welcome the beautiful Christkindl Angel at the Opening Ceremonies on November 27th. The angelic namesake of the event, the Christkind opens the markett, sharing German holiday traditions and stories. Special guests join the Angel as she lights up the Christmas tree and opens the Market for a successful 26 days.
Texas Christkindl Market 5K/10K/15K Volksmarch - Dec. 5, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Led by the Tarrant County Walkers, the Texas Christkindl Market 5K/10K/15K Volksmarch is designed after the long-standing European tradition of non-competitive fitness walking (a Volkssport or "people's sports" activity.) Participants walk 5 kilometers (3.1 mi), 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) or 15 kilometers (9.3 mi along a beautiful outdoor path adjacent to Globe Life Park. Registration is available at the event. For questions, contact Bill Wigton at 817.847.5185, billwigton@gmail.com, or visit www.walktx.org/TarrantCountyWalkers. // Cost: Free for fun, $3 for IVV credit.
Children’s Lantern Parade, Wednesday, Dec. 2, Dec. 9 and Dec. 16 at 7:30 pm
One of the event’s most cherished activities is the Children’s Lantern Parade. According to the legend, the parade recognizes the generosity of St. Martin, a 4th century Roman soldier who one late, freezing cold evening was approached by a poor, scantily clothed beggar. Martin, who had nothing to give to the man, tore his military cloak in half to share with the man to shield him from the cold. Paying homage to his pure act of selflessness and work on the behalf of the poor, children light lanterns in the late evenings in search of St. Martin and a chance to catch a glimpse of the giving man.
(New) Kinder Market - Open Friday, Saturday and Sundays
Several new elements have been added to this year’s Texas Christkindl Market to make it an even more memorable experience – especially for the kids. Whether it’s listening to a holiday adventure during Storytelling, riding the Carousel horses or choosing to take the reins on the real thing at the Pony Rides, the new Kinder Market gives families an opportunity to enjoy the holidays together and build traditions to last a lifetime.
Children (and parents) can indulge in a winter wonderland experience by playing in the Snow Playground and Snow Throw. Take your turn to build your own snowman or take a shot throwing a snowball, it’s all a part of the fun you can have Fridays – Sundays during the market. // Cost: $8 for 25-minutes at Snow Playground and $5 for 5-balls at Snow Throw.
For a sweet treat, creative hands can design their own magical Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop from The Cakery. All houses baked from scratch, are totally edible, and come pre-assembled, ready to decorate. Each house includes a clear display box and set of icing and candies to embellish your own winter gingerbread wonderland. Children under 18 must be accompanied by adults. Reservations highly recommended by contacting The Cakery at christkindl@thecakery.us. // Cost: $30 for Gingerbread House, decorating supplies, and carrying case.
A timeless holiday tradition, puppets bring the magic of theater alive with North Pole Texas Marionette Show. This season’s show features a Texas theme with Ol' St Nick, singing cactus, penguins, elves, dancing mice and the country critter band. This fun holiday show is a perfect addition to the German Holiday market. Photos with the puppets after the show complete the experience. Show times are Fridays: 5 pm & 7 pm, Saturdays: 11 am , 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm & 7 pm and Sundays: 1pm, 3 pm & 5 pm. // Cost: $10 for all ages, general admission and $12 reserved seating.
And no trip to the Texas Christkindl Market would be complete without a visit to Saint Nicholas (Sankt Nikolaus or der Heilige Nikolaus), the patron saint of children, sailors, students, teachers, and merchants. Although legend has it that he brings children gifts on Dec. 6, guests can stop anytime throughout the market at the Santa Haus to meet St. Nick. // Cost: Anyone is invited to visit with St. Nick and receive a free candy. No personal cameras are allowed, however photo packages may be purchased onsite starting at $19.95.
Arlington Highlands Warming Hut
Enjoy the comforts of warm, covered seating in the Warming Hut presented by Arlington Highlands as a cozy place to enjoy eating your schnitzel or catch up with an old friend. Adorned with festive holiday décor, heaters, tables and chairs, the Warming Hut is an ideal destination to host organizational meetings (with space for 10 – 200 people) during the holidays. Two-hour rental also may be paired with customized on-premises catering from Marcona Kitchen and beer/wine packages with optional private holiday entertainment. To reserve a space, interested parties may contact Barbara Kovacevich at barbara@arlington.org or call 817.704.7613. // Cost: $300 plus catering.
Scheduled Entertainment
From local school choirs and dance groups to favorite Texas songwriters, the Texas Christkindl Market brings the holidays alive with entertainment throughout the month. Hear the sweet sounds of young voices recite Christmas carols or see kids practice traditional German dance. On Saturday nights, the market features special acts not-to-miss like Texas songwriter Deryl Dodd (Dec. 12) and Texas country’s Aubrey Ann England (Dec. 19.) Check the website for a full schedule of special entertainment (available beginning Nov. 1.)
Vendors and Food
The cornerstone of the Texas Christkindl Market is its vendors. Offering a unique holiday shopping experience, guests can select handmade goods, décor and ornaments that cannot be found anywhere else besides the market including the only place to purchase exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt merchandise and designs from the iconic Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village in the Southwest. With classic German products like nutcrackers, cuckoo clocks, and beer steins, a walk through the market will feel just like a shopping experience from the original Christkindl Market in Nuremberg, Germany. Many vendors also demonstrate how their handicrafts are made and then can be purchased directly from the hut.
One of the most anticipated features at the Texas Christkindl Market is the German cuisine. With aromas of roasting nuts, sizzling brats, and freshly made funnel cake filling the air, guests can wander from hut to hut to enjoy the authentic flavors of a Christkindl market as well as try something new. Watch vendors prepare potato pancakes on the large open-air skillet or sip on the traditional German spiced wine called gluhwein, there’s tons to try throughout the market. Several huts throughout the market make it easy to share with your friends or fill up a plate to enjoy a real authentic German feast under the Warming Hut. And be sure to save room for dessert – with strudel, pastries and other candied goodies, the market is a sweet-tooth’s fantasyland either to experience at the market or to bring home to enjoy later.
Commemorating visitors’ unique experience to Germany by way of Arlington, several photo opportunities throughout the Market share background information of the Christkindl with stops at the large-scale Advent Wreath, stand with the 16-foot Nutcrackers, admire the Christkindl Tree, the Christkind Angel Wings, and don’t forget to take a Selfie with the Elfie before leaving…at least until returning again to enjoy the magic of the Texas Chriskindl Market throughout the season, Nov. 27 – Dec. 23 at Globe Life Park.
Produced by the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau in partnership with the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, the City of Arlington, the Texas Rangers and Six Flags Over Texas along with support from the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, the Texas Christkindl Market is an magical tradition for everyone, everywhere to enjoy year after year.
Texas Christkindl Market
Nov. 27 – Dec. 23, 2015
Opening Day, Nov. 27: 5 pm – 9 pm
Sunday-Friday: Noon – 9 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 10 pm
Adjacent to Globe Life Park in Arlington, Road to Six Flags & Nolan Ryan Expressway
Free admission and free parking
For more information including special events and vendors, visit www.TXChristkindlmarket.com.
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