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    • Christkindlmarket on Broadway is quickly becoming a Green Bay tradition
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    Christkindlmarket on Broadway is quickly becoming a Green Bay tradition

    Pabio Posted on

    GREEN BAY – On Broadway Inc. wasn’t sure what to expect when he introduced Green Bay to its first Christkindlmarket in 2022, but it didn’t take long to get his answer.

    People loved it.

    With grant funds, On Broadway created a pilot Christkindlmarket to see if there was public interest in a traditional German-style street market. The inaugural five-day run, with 11 modest vendor tents, drew about 10,000 people to the area known as Red Sculpture Park.

    The feedback was joyful and brilliant. Not only did it bring visitors to the Broadway neighborhood for the event, but people said it inspired them to explore local businesses while they were there, said Allie Thut, chief operating officer of On Broadway Inc.

    So in 2023, On Broadway expanded the Christkindlmarket footprint by also closing part of Hubbard Street. The Boldt Company built and donated 11 wooden cabins to house more vendors, in addition to tents. Programming has expanded significantly to include costumed characters, an ice skating rink, movie night and rooftop igloos. There were also more food vendors and more holiday decorations.

    A new Christmas tradition is born.

    “Last year we really stepped up and made it…a full-fledged Christkindlmarket event. Again, very well received,” Thut said. “We increased the number of days, we went from five days to 12 days, so it was six full weekends, and we saw about 40,000 people in attendance last year. Every year we continue to grow.

    When the third annual Christkindlmarket on Broadway opens Friday evening in conjunction with the Broadway District’s popular tree lighting ceremony, visitors this season will be able to shop among a rotating line of more than 20 vendors, listen to carolers, warm up by the fire with s’mores, meet Santa and his reindeer, cross paths with Scrooge, listen to alphorns, relax with a bowl of German bratwurst or toast to the most wonderful time of the year with a Great Lakes Christmas beer.

    Vendors and programming change throughout the six weekends, with the goal of ensuring visitors have a new experience each time. Whether you’re one of those people Thut heard about every Friday night last year or you’re a newbie, here’s what’s in store for you this season.

    What days is the Christkindlmarket on Broadway open?

    Starting Friday, you have 12 chances to experience the event. It is open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays until December 21. It is located in Red Sculpture Park (164 N. Broadway) and Hubbard Street in the Broadway neighborhood.

    What is the atmosphere like?

    A pair of 12-foot nutcrackers that greet visitors under the arch are back this year. Pay close attention and you will notice them blinking. There are Christmas lights all around and you will find cabins and tents decorated with garlands. There are icicle lights in the vendor areas and heat lamps provide an extra glow. The Carolers travel to all markets.

    Snow can also add to the atmosphere, but its absence can also make logistics easier. Thut said last year’s virtually snow-free race and above-average temperatures in the 30s and 40s contributed to attendance.

    What types of sellers will I find for my holiday shopping?

    There will be 22 local vendors at each Christkindlmarket selling home decor pieces, clothing, jewelry, candles, food items like macaroons and chocolates and other gift items. The majority of them alternate throughout the race.

    “It keeps bringing people back, because they want to see what new vendors are going to be there,” Thut said.

    Six vendors will be set up for the entire race. They are:

    • East Twin Arts (fantasy, animal and mixed media art)
    • Door County Wildflower Candles
    • Stella Blu Bohème Boutique (handbags)
    • Jedi Woods LLC (handmade jewelry)
    • WG Woodwork
    • Silver Nest Studio Textiles

    Tree lighting ceremony, Santa Claus and New Glarus alphorns mark opening weekend

    Friday: Tree lighting ceremony. Accompanied by a countdown from Mayor Eric Genrich, the switch turns on all the Christmas lights in the neighborhood, including a 20-foot tree. It has become a favorite tradition for people, Thut said.

    “It goes from kind of total darkness to all lit up and super festive,” she said. “It’s just really fun, oh, the holiday season is here. People are really starting to get into it.”

    The evening also includes photos with Santa, reindeer, carriage rides, cookie decorating, writing letters to Santa and making s’mores.

    Saturday: Germany Day. The New Glarus Alphorns perform. Christkind, the fairy-tale being who brings gifts to children in German-speaking countries and namesake of the Christkindl market, will mingle with people and talk about German culture. The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay German Club is organizing activities. Pommersche Danz Gruppe presents German folk dances from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

    More: NFL announces halftime performers for Thanksgiving games, including Lindsey Stirling for Dolphins-Packers in Lambeau

    Dogs have their own dog Christmas night; watch out for Krampus and Grinch during Christmas Villains Weekend

    November 22: Dog Christmas. Bring your dogs to take a photo with Santa, buy them a puppy cup at the drink tent, and shop the vendors for pet-specific Christmas gifts.

    November 29 and 30: Local shopping weekend. Support over 20 small businesses in the Broadway neighborhood. (November 30 is also Small Business Saturday.) Waffles made from Jandy Base Campincluding eggnog and hot chocolate waffles and others topped with chicken tenders and barbecued pulled pork, are served both days.

    December 13-14: Christmas villains. Keep your eyes peeled, because Krampus, the half-goat, half-man counterpart of St. Nicholas in Austrian folklore, appears on December 13. The Grinch and Scrooge add a bit of “stinky, stinky, stinky” and “Bah!” Fumisterie!” during the festivities of December 14.

    December 20: Movie night. Last year’s event, in partnership with the Fort Howard Neighborhood Association, featured short films on an inflatable screen with hay bale seats and heaters. It returns this year with a screening of the 2005 animated holiday special “The Happy Elf.”

    December 21: North Pole Day. Children can have their photo taken with Santa and meet his reindeer. Carriage rides in the Broadway district.

    There are also s’mores held as part of an Odd Fellows Association fundraiser every Friday night at the market.

    Did someone say German bratwurst booyah and fried bratwurst pancakes?

    Minzo’s kitchen And Mila Vanilla Pancakes will serve throughout the market and they do everything they can to offer German-inspired prices.

    Minzo’s menu will include a 12-hour smoked pulled pork sandwich with Dusseldorf mustard, Salmon’s Meat Products German bratwurst, German potato salad, sauerkraut, spaetzle and a German version of the hearty booyah with Belgian vegetables traditionally prepared with chicken.

    At Mila Vanilla Crepes, there’s a fried bratwurst pancake served with gourmet mustard dipping sauce and kraut on the side. Other choices include a house-made soft pretzel with Beck’s beer cheese sauce and an apfelkuchen pancake with applesauce. There are also s’more, cinnamon and cheesecake pancakes and one called Serbianka (rosehip jam imported from Europe, vanilla walnuts, European animal crackers, powdered sugar and whipped cream).

    And the drinks, hot and cold?

    Heritage Cafe will help you relax every Saturday morning with a variety of hot drinks. Glühwein, a German mulled wine, will also be available. Beer lovers can choose from:

    • Hacker-Pschorr Weiss
    • Paulaner Munich Lager
    • First press of cider makers
    • Great Lakes Christmas Beer

    How to book an igloo on the roof to sit comfortably there?

    You can view the festive Broadway District from an igloo on the roof of Hurckman Mechanical Industries Inc. during the Christkindlmarket. Each igloo includes furniture for six to eight people and a small heater. BYOB (bring your own blankets).

    The cost is $70 for a 60-minute slot. On make reservations, you can also add wine bottles, charcuterie boards, cookie platters and German platters. Additional drinks and food will also be available for purchase at the market. No luggage to take.

    What is the Giving Tree and how can I help?

    Choose an ornament from the tree to know which local nonprofit you’ll be giving a gift to for the holidays. The participating organizations are:

    • Howe Community Resource Center
    • Lucky 7 Dog Rescue
    • Wisconsin Community Paws
    • NEW community shelter

    The ornament will tell you what items this organization needs and also where in the Broadway area you can purchase them. Unwrapped items can be left at the tree every day the Christkindlmarket is open.

    What about parking and other information?

    As with the Farmers Market on Broadway in the summer, there is ample street parking in the neighborhood. For more information and updates on the Christkindlmarket on Broadway, follow facebook.com/OnBroadwayGB. To reserve an igloo and see the weekly programming, visit Downtowngreenbay.com/explore/broadway-events/christkindlmarket.

    Kendra Meinert is an entertainment and features editor for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at 920-431-8347 or [email protected]. Follow her on @KendraMeinert.

    Pabio
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