Riggs Christmas Market 2022
German Style Outdoor Christmas Market
with food, Craft Vendors, Hot Spiced wine, and more
Our History
Come celebrate the Holiday Season, German style
– with a hot spiced wine at the Riggs Christmas Market.
Glühwein and hot chocolate will be available both inside and outside.
For all the latest updates on the festivities, follow Riggs Taproom on facebook.
Hours
Friday, 11/25/22 - Sunday, 11/27/22:
Friday 4-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday 2-7 pm
Thursday, 12/01/22 - Sunday, 12/04/22:
Thursday and Friday 4-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday 2-7 pm
Thursday, 12/08/22 - Sunday, 12/11/22:
Thursday and Friday 4-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday 2-7 pm
Thursday, 12/15/22 - Sunday, 12/18/22:
Thursday and Friday 4-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday 2-7 pm
Vendors
First Weekend: Friday, 11/25/22 – Sunday, 11/27/22:
- Smith Burger Company – brats, crepes, and more
- Allie Janae – stained glass art and jewelry
- Barn Girl – Christmas Decorations
- Grant St. Woodworks – wooden elks, sleighs, trees and more
- Clara de la Fuente – paintings and prints
- Megan Parsons – holiday gifts and decor (for St. Jude)
- Jeff Riehle – cigar and keepsake boxes
- Delight Flower Farm – Christmas wreaths
- Farm to Wick – Soy Candles
- The Wright Soapery – small batch (beer) soap
- Earth Bounty Farms – Honey
- Chikondi – craft chocolate
- Mack Glass – glass ornaments
- Norden/Pipapo – birch jewlery
- CK Almonds – roasted candied almonds
Second Weekend: Thursday, 12/01/22 – Sunday, 12/04/22:
Sunday, 12/4/22, 2-4 pm, Kyle Tasch live Christmas Music at the Market (weather permitting)
- Smith Burger Company – brats, crepes, and more
- Bespoke Gift Company – custom gifts & decor
- Willow City Farm – Alpaca Products
- Grant St. Woodworks – wooden elks, sleighs, trees and more
- Berries and Flour – cocktail kits and syrups
- Megan Parsons – holiday gifts and decor (for St. Jude)
- Regan Bugs Body Scrubs & More
- CU Potter’s Club – pottery
- Delight Flower Farm – Christmas wreaths
- Wine & wicks – all-natural soy wine bottle candles
- The Wright Soapery – small batch (beer) soap
- Mack Glass – glass ornaments
- Norden/Pipapo – birch jewlery
- CK Almonds – roasted candied almonds
Third Weekend: Thursday, 12/08/22 – Sunday, 12/11/22:
Thursday, 12/8/22, 6-8 pm, Kyle Tasch live Christmas Music at the Market (weather permitting)
- Smith Burger Company – brats, crepes, and more
- Mimi’s Book Art – folded book art
- Cowdog Strong – repurposed metal
- Grant St. Woodworks – wooden elks, sleighs, trees and more
- Bespoke Gift Company – custom gifts & decor
- Berries and Flour – cocktail kits and syrups
- Farm to Wick – Soy Candles
- Earth Bounty Farms – Honey
- Rose McCarthy – stone art
- Illinois Willows – winterberry and fresh holiday wreaths
- Mack Glass – glass ornaments
- Norden/Pipapo – birch jewlery
- CK Almonds – roasted candied almonds
- The Wright Soapery – small batch (beer) soap
- Kroessinger Korner Boutique
Fourth Weekend: Thursday, 12/15/22 – Sunday, 12/18/22:
- Smith Burger Company – brats, crepes, and more
- Illinois Willows – winterberry and fresh holiday wreaths
- BleAch Ur HeArt Out – graphic apparel
- Rose McCarthy – Stone Art
- Cowdog Strong – repurposed metal
- Wine & wicks – all-natural soy wine bottle candles
- Grant St. Woodworks – wooden elks, sleighs, trees and more
- The Wright Soapery – small batch (beer) soap
- Chikondi – craft chocolate
- Barn Girl – Christmas Decorations
- Mack Glass – glass ornaments
- Norden/Pipapo – birch jewlery
- CK Almonds – roasted candied almonds
Weather and Pro-Tips:
Dress for the weather: Christmas Markets are held outdoors. Make sure you have your gloves, scarfs, and hats ready to go. Limited indoor seating to warm up will also be available.
And there is nothing more fun than enjoying a cup of hot wine, bundled up, with your closest friends and family when the snow starts falling…
Beverages: Try some Glühwein. This hot, mulled wine will help keep you warm. Non-alcoholic beverages such as hot chocolate are also available for purchase. See the full menu here. Outside beverages are not allowed.
Get your Christmas shopping taken care of: Local vendors will have unique and finely crafted offerings for sale. You’ll find everything from stained glass, to beer soap, to Christmas cookies.
Food & Drink
Christmas Markets are all about food and beverages that warm your heart, literally and figuratively!
We’re working with local catering company, Smith Burger Company, to bring you some options that you would find at a traditional German Christmas Market:
- Bratwurst
- Crepes (sweet or savory)
- Candied roasted nuts
We’ll also have a food truck in the parking lot during our main hours serving their regular menus.
Riggs Beer Company will be offering hot mulled wine, hot cocoa, and a wide selection of beer, wine and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
No outside beverages are allowed.
So, What is a German Christmas Market?
Christmas Markets in Germany date back to the late Middle Ages. The first mention of a Christmas Market in Munich can be found as early as 1310. Today, you’ll find Christmas markets in Germany in most towns and small villages in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Local clubs and organizations get together to put on this outdoor event on the town square or another public space. Different vendors sell crafts, food, and drinks.
Caroline Riggs moved here from Germany in 2015. After several years of missing out on Christmas markets, we decided to bring this German tradition to Urbana in 2019.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their whole family, meet their coworkers out after work, or meet with friends to get in the Christmas spirit.
Popular highlights of the market include Bratwurst and Currywurst, Potato Pancakes, Candied Almonds, and hot Mulled Wine (Gluhwein) and Hot Chocolate. All of these warm treats help to stave off the cold winter air, so the market can be enjoyed even when the temperatures drop.
What else?
Miniature horses, Christmas caroling, alpacas, and more will make apperances throughout the market.
Many of these events are weather dependent, so follow our social media for the latest update.