Experience the authentic charm of Christmas in Germany right here in Indiana at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. This open-air holiday market was founded as a nonprofit organization in 2017 with support from the City of Carmel.
At the Market, visitors can browse a variety of products sourced from Germany and neighboring German-speaking European countries. Traditional German foods, beverages, and gifts are displayed and sold from small wooden huts by dozens of vendors. A gorgeous outdoor ice skating rink made with real ice invites visitors to glide across its smooth surface, surrounded by the cozy atmosphere and bustle of the Market.
Every year, the Market strives to bring new and exciting, authentic offerings to its visitors, ensuring there’s something different to explore each year. In 2018, we introduced our iconic Glühwein Pyramid - remarkably, the first of its kind to exist in the United States.
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt also welcomes renowned artisans from Germany into its Werkstatt (Workshop) each season, including woodworkers from the Erzgebirge region of Germany, and glassblowers from Lauscha. These artisans share their craft and culture through demonstrations, strengthening the Market's cultural fabric and dedication to its mission as a nonprofit. The Carmel-Seiffen Sister City partnership plays a vital role in attracting artisans.
As a nonprofit, our mission is to engage and educate the community in German culture and Christmas traditions through an authentic, magical holiday experience. We use that to guide everything we do - and we won’t stop until we are known as the most authentic Christkindlmarkt outside of Germany.
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The Carmel Christkindlmarkt is Indiana's premier holiday offering and attracts about half a million visitors annually. Recognized for its excellence, it has consistently ranked the number one winner in the USA Today 10BEST travel media group's Readers' Choice travel award contest for Best Holiday Market in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Additionally, in 2023 National Geographic Travel named the Market one of six U.S. markets that “feel like a fairy tale,” Fox News named it as a top holiday market in 2021, and Taste of Home Magazine honored the market as the top Christmas market in Indiana in 2017