Riggs Christmas Market 2023
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, 11/24/23 - Sunday, 11/26/23:
Friday 5-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday noon-7 pm
Friday, 12/01/23 - Sunday, 12/03/23:
Friday 5-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday noon-7 pm
Friday, 12/8/23 - Sunday, 12/10/23:
Friday 5-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday noon-7 pm
Friday, 12/15/23 - Sunday, 12/17/23:
Friday 5-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday noon-7 pm
Vendors
First Weekend: Friday, 11/24/23 – Sunday, 11/26/23:
- Watson’s Shack & Rail – brats and more
- F&T Desserts – Crepes and sweets
- Grant St. Woodworks – wooden elks, sleighs, trees and more
- Clara de la Fuente – paintings and prints
- Delight Flower Farm – Christmas wreaths
- Farm to Wick – Soy Candles
- The Wright Soapery – small batch (beer) soap
- Bone Appe-Treat – homemade doggie treats
- Berries and Flour – cocktail kits and syrups
- Mack Glass – glass ornaments
- Norden/Pipapo – birch jewelry
- CK Almonds – roasted candied almonds
- Bleach Ur Heart Out – raphic bleached and tie dyed apparel
Second Weekend: Friday, 12/01/23 – Sunday, 12/03/23:
- Watson’s Shack & Rail – brats and more
- F&T Desserts – Crepes and sweets
- Jeff Riehle – cigar and keepsake boxes
- Bespoke Gift Company – custom gifts & decor
- Earth Bounty Farms – Honey
- Grant St. Woodworks – wooden elks, sleighs, trees and more
- Regan Bugs Body Scrubs & More
- 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 jewelry
- CK Almonds – roasted candied almonds
- Mimi’s Book Art
Third Weekend: Friday, 12/08/23 – Sunday, 12/10/23:
- Watson’s Shack & Rail – brats and more
- F&T Desserts – Crepes and sweets
- CU Potter’s Club – pottery
- Grant St. Woodworks – wooden elks, sleighs, trees and more
- Bespoke Gift Company – custom gifts & decor
- Earth Bounty Farms – Honey
- Leaf Livestock Wool Co. – wool and yarn
- Heirloom Fiber Arts – beanies, headbands, scarves and more
- Illinois Willows – winterberry and fresh holiday wreaths
- Norden/Pipapo – birch jewelry
- CK Almonds – roasted candied almonds
- The Wright Soapery – small batch (beer) soap
- Kroessinger Korner Boutique
- Deborah Poblano – crochet jewelry and fabric crafts
Fourth Weekend: Friday, 12/15/23 – Sunday, 12/17/23:
- Watson’s Shack & Rail – brats and more
- F&T Desserts – Crepes and sweets
- Illinois Willows – winterberry and fresh holiday wreaths
- Rose McCarthy – Stone Art
- Wine & wicks – all-natural soy wine bottle candles
- Grant St. Woodworks – wooden elks, sleighs, trees and more
- The Wright Soapery – small batch (beer) soap
- Rose McCarthy – stone art
- Delixious Chocolates! – premium chocolate delights
- Bespoke Gift Company – custom gifts & decor
- A Crafty Farm Shop – large holiday signs
- Norden/Pipapo – birch jewelry
- CK Almonds – roasted candied almonds
- Prairie Fruits Farm – cheese grazing boards & kits
Weather and Pro-Tips:
Dress for the weather: Christmas Markets are held outdoors. Make sure you have your gloves, scarves, 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, Watson’s Shack and Rail and other vendors to bring you some food options that you would find at a traditional German Christmas Market:
- Bratwurst
- Pretzels
- 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, Pretzels, Crepes, Candied Almonds, 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?
Christmas caroling, goats, and more will make apperances throughout the market.
Many of these events are weather dependent, so follow our social media for the latest update.