Riggs Christmas Market 2025
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, 11/28/25 - Sunday, 11/30/25:
Friday 5-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday noon-7 pm
Friday, 12/05/25 - Sunday, 12/07/25:
Friday 5-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday noon-7 pm
Friday, 12/12/25 - Sunday, 12/14/25:
Friday 5-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday noon-7 pm
Friday, 12/19/25 - Sunday, 12/21/25:
Friday 5-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday noon-7
Vendors
First Weekend: Friday, 11/28/25 – Sunday, 11/30/25:
- Watson’s Shack & Rail – brats and more
- The German Food Truck – crepes, sweet and savory
- Bone Appe-Treat – homemade doggie treats
- Textiles & Joy – kitted textiles
- Laura Struck – custom laser engraving
- Mike’s Fine Woodworking
- Coming Home Candles – handcrafted soy candles
- Illinois Willows – winterberry and fresh holiday wreaths
- The Wright Soapery – small batch (beer) soap
- Jubilee Farms – wool yarn
- CK Almonds – roasted candied almonds
- Mack Glass – Hand-blown glass, made in Champaign
Second Weekend: Friday, 12/05/25 – Sunday, 12/07/25:
- Watson’s Shack & Rail – brats and more
- The German Food Truck – crepes, sweet and savory
- Illinois Willows – winterberry and fresh holiday wreaths
- LH Mercantile – candles and room scents
- Susans Knits
- Laura Struck – custom laser engraving
- Regan Bugs Body Scrubs and more
- Nick Cragoe – Celtic and Norse Art
- Rose McCarthy – stone art
- The Wright Soapery – small batch (beer) soap
- CK Almonds – roasted candied almonds
- Mack Glass – Hand-blown glass, made in Champaign
Third Weekend: Friday, 12/12/25 – Sunday, 12/14/25:
- Watson’s Shack & Rail – brats and more
- The German Food Truck – crepes, sweet and savory
- Wine & wicks – all-natural soy wine bottle candles
- Three Berry Flowers – winter greenery
- Bespoke Gift Company – custom gifts & decor
- Mimi’s Book Art
- The Wright Soapery – small batch (beer) soap
- CK Almonds – roasted candied almonds
- Krossing Korner Boutique – Holiday decor and Holiday shirts
- Clara de la Fuente – paintings and prints
Fourth Weekend: Friday, 12/19/25 – Sunday, 12/21/25:
- Watson’s Shack & Rail – brats and more
- The German Food Truck – crepes, sweet and savory
- Delixcious Handmade Chocolates
- Wine & wicks – all-natural soy wine bottle candles
- The Wright Soapery – small batch (beer) soap
- Deborah Poblano – crochet jewelry and fabric crafts
- Rose McCarthy – stone art
- CK Almonds – roasted candied almonds
- Krossing Korner Boutique – Holiday decor and Holiday shirts
- Laura Struck – custom laser engraving
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 companies Watson’s Shack and Rail and The German Food Truck to bring you traditional German Christmas Market dishes:
- 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, Santa-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.