Christkindlmarket on Broadway quickly growing into Green Bay tradition | Green Bay Press-Gazette
GREEN BAY – On Broadway Inc. wasn’t sure what to expect it when it introduced Green Bay to its first Christkindlmarket in 2022, but it didn’t take long to get its answer.
People loved it.
Using funds awarded through a grant, On Broadway created a pilot Christkindlmarket to see if there was public interest in a traditional German-style holiday street market. The inaugural five-day run, with a modest 11 vendor tents, drew roughly 10,000 people to the area known as Red Sculpture Park.
The feedback was merry and bright. Not only did it bring visitors down to the Broadway District for the event, but people said it inspired them to explore local businesses while they were there, said Allie Thut, chief operating officer for On Broadway Inc.
So in 2023, On Broadway expanded the Christkindlmarket footprint by also closing part of Hubbard Street. The Boldt Company built and donated 11 wooden chalets to house more vendors, in addition to the tents. Programming increased substantially to include costumed characters, an ice rink, a movie night and rooftop igloos. There were more food vendors and more holiday decor, too.
A new Christmas tradition was born.
“Last year we really stepped it up and made it … a full-blown Christkindlmarket event. Once again, really well-received,” Thut said. “We increased the amount of days, we went from five days to 12 days, so it was six full weekends, and we saw about 40,000 in attendance last year. Each year, we just keep growing.”
When the third annual Christkindlmarket on Broadway opens on Friday night in conjunction with the Broadway District’s popular Tree Lighting Ceremony, visitors this season will be able to shop from a rotating lineup of more than 20 vendors, listen to carolers, warm up by the fire with s’mores, meet Santa and his reindeer, bump into Scrooge, listen to alphorns, take the chill off with a bowl of German bratwurst booyah or toast the most wonderful time of the year with a Great Lakes Christmas Ale.
Vendors and programming change throughout the six weekends, with the goal of making sure visitors have a new experience each time they come. Whether you’re one of those people Thut heard from who came every Friday night last year or you’re a first-timer, here’s what’s in store for this season.
What days is the Christkindlmarket on Broadway open?
Beginning Friday, you have 12 chances to experience the event. It’s open from 4 to 9 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 21. It’s located in Red Sculpture Park (164 N. Broadway) and Hubbard Street in the Broadway District.
What is the atmosphere like?
A pair of large nutcrackers that welcome visitors at the archway are back this year. Pay close attention and you’ll notice they blink. Carolers roam every market.
Christmas lights are strung all around, and you’ll find the chalets and tents hung with garland. There are icicle lights inside vendor spaces, and heating lamps offer an additional glow.
A vintage green truck donated by Redfish Collective and decked out for the holidays is back again as a popular photo opportunity.
Instead of an ice rink this year, that space is being used for a large tent with a stage for performances and plenty of room for people to enjoy food and drink and socialize.
Snow can also add to the atmosphere, but the lack of it can also make for easier logistics. Thut said last year’s mostly snow-free run and above-average temperatures in the 30s and 40s helped with attendance.
What kinds of vendors will I find for holiday shopping?
There will be 22 local vendors at each Christkindlmarket selling home decor pieces, clothing, jewelry, candles, food goods like macaroons and chocolates and other gift-giving wares. The majority of them rotate in and out throughout the run.
“That just kind of continuously brings people back, because they want to see what new vendors are going to be there,” Thut said.
Six vendors will be set up for the entire run. They are:
- East Twin Arts (fantasy, wildlife and mixed media art)
- Door County Wildflower Candles
- Stella Blu Bohemian Boutique (handbags)
- Jedi Woods LLC (handmade jewelry)
- WG Woodcraft
- Silver Nest Studio Textiles
Tree Lighting Ceremony, Santa, New Glarus Alphorns highlight opening weekend
Friday: Tree Lighting Ceremony. Complete with a countdown from Mayor Eric Genrich, the switch gets flipped on all the holiday lights in the district, including a 20-foot tree. It’s become a favorite tradition with people, Thut said.
“It goes from kind of complete darkness to all lit up and super festive,” she said. “It’s kind of just a really fun, oh, the holiday season is here. People start to really get into it.”
The evening also includes photos with Santa, reindeer, carriage rides, cookie decorating, letter writing to Santa and s’mores making.
Saturday: German Day. The New Glarus Alphorns perform. Christkind, the fairy-like being who brings gifts to children in German-speaking countries and the namesake of the Christkindlmarket, will mingle with people and talk about German culture. The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay German Club hosts activities. Pommersche Danz Gruppe performs German folk dances from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Dogs get their own Canine Christmas night; watch out for Krampus and Grinch during Christmas Villains weekend
Nov. 22: Canine Christmas. Bring your dogs to get their picture taken with Santa, buy them a pup cup at the beverage tent and shop vendors with pet-specific stocking stuffers.
Nov. 29-30: Shop Local Weekend. Support more than 20 small businesses in the Broadway District. (Nov. 30 is also Small Business Saturday.) Scratch-made waffles from Jandy’s Base Camp, including egg nog and hot cocoa waffles and others topped with chicken tenders and pulled barbecue pork, are served both days.
Dec. 13-14: Christmas Villains. Keep an eye out, because Krampus, the half-goat, half-man counterpart to St. Nicholas in Austrian folklore, shows up on Dec. 13. The Grinch and Scrooge add a little “stink, stank, stunk” and “Bah! Humbug!” to the festivities on Dec. 14.
Dec. 20: Movie Night. Last year’s event in partnership with the Fort Howard Neighborhood Association featured short films on an inflatable screen with hay bale seating and heaters. It’s coming back this year with a showing of the 2005 animated holiday special “The Happy Elf.”
Dec. 21: North Pole Day. Kids can get their photos taken with Santa and meet his reindeer. Carriage rides around the Broadway District.
There’s also s’mores making as an Odd Fellows Association fundraiser every Friday night of the market. A different nonprofit each Friday will set hot cocoa for Cocoa for a Cause.
Also part of the fun: Nine polar bears are scattered throughout local businesses in the district for people to find to be entered in a drawing.
Did someone say German bratwurst booyah and deep-fried bratwurst crepes?
Minzo’s Kitchen and Mila Vanilla Crepes will be serving throughout the market’s run, and they’re pulling out the stops on the German-inspired fare.
Minzo’s menu will include a 12-hour smoked pulled pork sandwich with Dusseldorf mustard, Salmon’s Meat Products’ German bratwurst, German potato salad, sauerkraut, spaetzle and a German take on the hearty Belgian vegetable booyah traditionally made with chicken.
At Mila Vanilla Crepes, there’s a deep-fried bratwurst crepe served with gourmet mustard dipping sauce and kraut on the side. Other choices include a homemade soft pretzel with Beck’s beer cheese sauce and an apfelkuchen crepe with applesauce. There are also s’more, cinnamon and cheesecake crepes and one called Serbianka (rosehip jam imported from Europe, vanilla walnuts, European animal crackers, powdered sugar and whipped cream).
How about beverages, both hot and cold?
Heritage Coffee will help take the chill off each Saturday morning with a variety of hot beverages. Glühwein, a German mulled wine, will also be available. Beer lovers can choose from:
- Hacker-Pschorr Weiss
- Paulaner Munich Lager
- Ciderboys First Press
- Great Lakes Christmas Ale
How do I reserve a rooftop igloo to cozy up in?
You can overlook the festive Broadway District from one of four igloos on the rooftop of Hurckman Mechanical Industries Inc. during the Christkindlmarket. Each igloo includes furniture for six to eight people and a small heater. BYOB (bring your own blankets). Last year’s two igloos quickly sold out.
Cost is $70 for a 60-minute slot. Upon making reservations, you can also add bottles of wine, charcuterie boards, cookie trays and German platters. Additional beverages and food will also be available for purchase at the market. No carry-ins.
What is the Giving Tree and how can I help out?
Choose an ornament from the tree to find out which local nonprofit you’ll be gifting to for the holidays. Participating organizations are:
- Howe Community Resource Center
- Lucky 7 Dog Rescue
- Community Paws of Wisconsin
- NEW Community Shelter
The ornament will tell you what items that organization is in need of and also where in the Broadway District you can purchase them. Unwrapped items can be dropped off at the tree any day the Christkindlmarket is open.
What about parking and any other info?
Like for the Farmers Market on Broadway in the summer there’s ample street parking in the area. For more information and updates on the Christkindlmarket on Broadway, follow facebook.com/OnBroadwayGB. To reserve an igloo and see weekly programming, visit downtowngreenbay.com/explore/broadway-events/christkindlmarket.
Source: Christkindlmarket on Broadway quickly growing into Green Bay tradition
