Riggs Christmas Market 2026
German Style Outdoor Christmas Market
with food, Craft Vendors, Spiced wine, Riggs Beer, and more
Our History
Come celebrate the Holiday Season, German style
– with a hot spiced wine at the Riggs Christmas Market.
Glühwein, hot chocolate, Riggs Beers and Apple Cinnamon Martinis will be available both inside and outside.
For all the latest updates on the festivities, follow Riggs Taproom on facebook.
Hours
Friday, 11/27/26 - Sunday, 11/29/26:
Friday 5-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday noon-7 pm
Friday, 12/04/26 - Sunday, 12/06/26:
Friday 5-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday noon-7 pm
Friday, 12/11/26 - Sunday, 12/13/26:
Friday 5-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday noon-7 pm
Friday, 12/18/26 - Sunday, 12/20/26:
Friday 5-8 pm
Saturday and Sunday noon-7
Vendors
First Weekend: Friday, 11/27/26 – Sunday, 11/29/26:
- Watson’s Shack & Rail – brats and more
- The German Food Truck – crepes, sweet and savory
- Bugs Corner Boutique – ceramics
- The Macaron Palace
- Laura Struck – custom laser engraving
- Coming Home Candles – handcrafted soy candles
- The Wright Soapery – small batch (beer) soap
- Cullen Jones – Wooden Reindeers
- Burlap Charm – Burlap wreaths, wooden signs, decor
- Lancaster Flower Company – Wreaths and dried flowers
- Jubilee Farms – wool yarn
- CK Almonds – roasted candied almonds
- Mack Glass – Hand-blown glass, made in Champaign
- Country Arbors Nursery – Christmas trees and other greenery
Second Weekend: Friday, 12/04/26 – Sunday, 12/06/26:
- Watson’s Shack & Rail – brats and more
- The German Food Truck – crepes, sweet and savory
- Lancaster Flower Company – Wreaths and dried flowers
- 3rd Hand Collective – vintage glass trees and more
- Cullen Jones – Wooden Reindeers
- Thoughtful Fiber Arts – crochet winter items
- Mimi’s Book Art
- Earth Bounty Farms – local honey and beeswax products
- Stephany Hove – vintage cookie cutter sets, Lebkuchen
- Rose McCarthy – stone art
- The Wright Soapery – small batch (beer) soap
- CK Almonds – roasted candied almonds
- Mack Glass – Hand-blown glass, made in Champaign
- Country Arbors Nursery – Christmas trees and other greenery
Third Weekend: Friday, 12/11/26 – Sunday, 12/13/26:
- Watson’s Shack & Rail – brats and more
- The German Food Truck – crepes, sweet and savory
- Wine & wicks – all-natural soy wine bottle candles
- Olive & Orchard – Olive oils, balsamic vinegars
- Leaf Livestock Wool Co. – Illinois wool yarn and woven items
- Heirloom Fiber Arts Studio – Hats, cowls, shawls, mitts
- Hedgerow Pottery
- Earth Bounty Farms – local honey and beeswax products
- Rose McCarthy – stone art
- The Wright Soapery – small batch (beer) soap
- CK Almonds – roasted candied almonds
- Mack Glass – Hand-blown glass, made in Champaign
- Krossing Korner Boutique – Holiday decor and Holiday shirts
- Country Arbors Nursery – Christmas trees and other greenery
Fourth Weekend: Friday, 12/18/26 – Sunday, 12/20/26:
- Watson’s Shack & Rail – brats and more
- The German Food Truck – crepes, sweet and savory
- Wine & wicks – all-natural soy wine bottle candles
- The Wright Soapery – small batch (beer) soap
- Deborah Poblano – crochet jewelry and fabric crafts
- The Macaron Palace
- Thoughtful Fiber Arts – crochet winter items
- Stephany Hove – vintage cookie cutter sets, Lebkuchen
- Burlap Charm – Burlap wreaths, wooden signs, decor
- Mimi’s Book Art
- CK Almonds – roasted candied almonds
- Laura Struck – custom laser engraving
- Mack Glass – Hand-blown glass, made in Champaign
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 and more will make apperances throughout the market.
Many of these events are weather dependent, so follow our social media for the latest updates.