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

The market will be open the 
four weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas
First Weekend:
Friday, 11/25/22 - Sunday, 11/27/22:
Friday 4-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday 2-7 pm
Second Weekend:
Thursday, 12/01/22 - Sunday, 12/04/22:
Thursday and Friday 4-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday 2-7 pm
Third Weekend:
Thursday, 12/08/22 - Sunday, 12/11/22:
Thursday and Friday 4-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday 2-7 pm
Fourth Weekend:
Thursday, 12/15/22 - Sunday, 12/18/22:
Thursday and Friday 4-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday 2-7 pm

Vendors

We’ve teamed up with so many fantastic, local vendors. Come enjoy a traditional German Christmas experience with friends and get your Christmas shopping done at the same time!
 

First Weekend: Friday, 11/25/22 – Sunday, 11/27/22:

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)

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)

Fourth Weekend: Thursday, 12/15/22 – Sunday, 12/18/22:

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.