If you’re looking for an incredible Christmas market, the Carmel Christkindlmarket in Indiana is one of the best in the Midwest!
The open-air holiday market was founded in 2017 and has continued to grow in popularity and size each year.
In fact, it’s consistently ranked at the top of the list for Christmas markets in the US.
Only 30 minutes north of Indy, the Christmas market is a great day trip or a weekend getaway that’s a fun holiday adventure for all ages.
Thanks again to Visit Hamilton County Indiana for hosting my visit. All opinions are my own. This article contains affiliate links.
Plan Your Visit to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt in Advance
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt is November 23 – December 24, 2024
*Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
- Monday & Tuesday: CLOSED
- Wednesday & Thursday: 4 – 9 PM
- Friday & Saturday: 12 – 9 PM
- Sunday: 12 – 8 PM
Special Hours
- Nov 27: Noon – 9 PM
- Dec 16 & 17: 4 – 9 PM
- Dec 23: 12 – 9 PM
- Dec 24: Noon – 4 PM
*There is no entry fee to enter the holiday market.
Book a Group Market Tours in advance because they fill up quickly. The guided tour shares more about the market, history, traditions, and the artisans’ stories.
Discover the Authentic German Tradition of Christkindlmarkt
You can learn more about the German tradition of Christkindlmarkt with exhibits and facts displayed throughout the holiday market.
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt allows guests to experience a glimpse of an authentic German Christkindlmarkt by featuring authentic German gifts, food, and drinks, sourced from Germany and German-speaking countries.
There are over 60 huts throughout the market for guests to explore.
Visit the Kulturecke Hut
There is an exhibit hut you can walk through with displays and fun facts about German Christmas traditions and Indiana’s German-American connections with Germany.
Watch a German Artisan in Action
You can watch a German artisan in action at The Carmel Christkindlmarkt Werkstatt (workshop).
The demonstration hut is intimate and observers can ask the artist questions while they create using specialized techniques and traditions from different regions in Germany.
Kid-Friendly Activities at Carmel Christkindlmarkt
Families can make crafts and memories together at “Kinderecke,” a kid-friendly section in the market.
Check out the Kinderecke schedule for special activities going on during the market.
Also, be on the lookout for The Spielhaus (“Playhouse”). It hosts family-friendly entertainment and meet-and-greets.
Grab a Carmel Christkindlmarkt Passport
Pick up a free Passport and collect stamps from huts displaying passport signs, learn German trivia, and more!
Shop for a Unique Gift
There is a good chance you’ll find a gift at the market for that special someone on your list or as a gift for yourself.
You’ll find an assortment of gift vendors throughout the market including huts with the following:
- Paper star lanterns
- Handmade glass ornaments
- Handmade German toys
- German candle arches
- Authentic pyramids and candles from Germany
Check out the full list of market vendors here.
Market Collectables at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt
The holiday market has souvenir Gluhwein mugs, Bier steins, Lauscha ornaments, City of Carmel ornaments, Bier brewery cans, and snow globes to add to your collection.
Admire the Lifesize Gluhwein Pyramid During the Day and at Night
The Glühwein Pyramid debuted the Carmel Christkindlmarkt in 2018.
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt has bragging rights of the first Glühwein Pyramid, of its kind, in the United States.
I highly recommend visiting the market both during the day and at night. During the day there is a lot of energy and it’s even more magical lit up at night.
Book Your Ice Skating Session in Advance Online
You can skate on real ice during your visit to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. Ice skating sessions are typically for 90 minutes.
The rental ice skates are easy to put on, with latches similar to ski boots.
Check online for their schedule, fees, tickets, and hours of operation.
Samples Lots of German Food & Drinks
You can’t visit the market without trying some of the incredible food! I recommend sharing dishes so that you can sample more food throughout the market.
A raclette is top on the list because everything is better with melted cheese and Glühwein, a warm spiced wine, is a nice way to warm up.
A few must-try foods at the market are
- Baumstriezel (chimney cakes)
- Tartiflette- a cheesy potato dish cooked in a giant pan
- Raclette – Traditional Swiss-German raclette sandwiches with melted cheese scraped over fresh bread
You can find the full list of food vendors here.
Must Try Drinks at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt
There are plenty of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks with some extra holiday cheer to choose from at the market.
- Glühwein (Mulled wine)
- Kinderpunsch (Non-alcoholic mulled punch)
- Glühbier (Mulled beer)
- Feuerzangenbowle (Flaming, rum-spiked Glühwein)
- German Beer
- Belgian Hot Chocolate
Enjoy the Live Entertainment & Special Events
Holiday music is performed by artists from around the world.
Check out the schedule for live entertainment at the Winter Pavillion here.
Capture the Memory
There are several photo op areas throughout the market to capture the moment with family or friends.
Capture the moment and return the favor by taking a picture for another group at one of the photo areas.
Where to Park for the Carmel Christkindlmarkt
Address: 10 Carter Green, Carmel, IN
There is free parking in the following parking garages.
Veterans Way Parking Garage – 100 City Center Dr, Carmel, IN
Carmel Midtown Parking Garage – walk down the Monon Trail to the market (about a 10-minute walk)
Find Out More Information on the Carmel Christkindlmarket here
Check the Carmel Christkindlmarkt website for additional information.
Visit The Cake Bake Shop While You’re in the Area
Upper Deck, 799 Hanover Place Suite 260, Carmel, IN (Carmel City Center)
The Cake Bake Shop is a popular bakery and restaurant, a short walk from the Carmel Christkindlmarkt.
Reservations are highly recommended if you want to dine in during lunch or dinner, for drinks, and/or desserts.
You know it has to be good when you see a line outside the door. Thankfully the line moves pretty quickly.
We sat at the bar for their specialty lattes and split a delicious slice of Gingerbread man cake.
Tip – If you only want dessert you can order it to-go on the bakery side of the restaurant.
Plan Your Stay in Carmel, Indiana
If you’re extending your stay there are several great accommodation options nearby.
Hotel Carmichael, Autograph Collection
1 Carmichael Square, Carmel, IN
Hotel Carmichael is conveniently located steps from the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. This is a beautiful hotel in the heart of Carmel by the market.
You can park once and enjoy the market with easy access to come and go back and forth to your hotel room whenever you want.
Save on Booking Your Stay at Hotel Carmichael Here
Prairie Guest House
13805 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN
Prairie Guest House is a great option if you prefer cozier accommodations at a bed and breakfast away from the crowds.
This bed and breakfast is located across the street from Conner Prairie.
The Bed and Breakfast has 10 guest rooms to choose from.
Be forewarned their breakfast is fantastic. Their gluten-free quiche was one of the best quiches I’ve ever had…and I don’t typically enjoy or eat gluten-free.
Save on Booking Your Stay at Prairie Guest House
