5 cool things to eat, drink or learn at Carmel Christkindlmarkt 2025
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Mollie B & SqueezeBox with Ted Lange provide live music at Wundernacht. Photos: Justin L. Mack/Axios
Carmel Christkindlmarkt starts Saturday, but some Hoosiers got an early taste of this year's festivities Wednesday night.
Driving the news: Axios Indianapolis was in the house for Wundernacht, a 21 and up Christkindlmarkt preview event serving up live music, special presentations and samples of some of the market's most popular food items.
- Here are some of the highlights that attendees should check out once the market opens.
⛸️ Get a collectible mug
- A can't-miss attraction that gets Christkindlmarkt crowds buzzing each year is piping hot glühwein served in commemorative mugs that change designs each year.
- This year's mug is an ice skate-inspired design created by local 12-year-old Anika Rupp.
Pro tip: There is no wrong way to glühwein, but do yourself a favor and try the cranberry. It's a delightful blend of tart and sweet that tastes like Christmas morning.
📖 Take a history lesson
- Inside the Kulturecke, visitors can learn more about the market's mission, the history of German history in the Hoosier state and 10 American holiday traditions with German roots.
🎄 Go hands-on
- Stepping into the Kinderecke is a free way to get the artistic juices flowing by using provided tools to make Christmas ornaments.
🛍️ Do some Christmas shopping
- Vendors are a big part of the experience and stands scattered throughout Carter Green are selling everything from hand-painted beer steins to authentic German nutcrackers.
🌭 Eat way too much
- Raclette and sausages may be the first things that come to mind at Christkindlmarkt, but the more than 30 food huts on site are bursting with goodies to explore.
- A personal favorite is flammkuchen, traditional flatbread pizzas with a light, crispy crust.