Kitchener's Christkindl Market brings Bavarian festivities to downtown core

For the 28th year, downtown Kitchener has transformed into a Christkindl Market. 

The Bavarian-inspired tradition pays homage to Germany's festivals, which date back 700 years. 

Kitchener's market recreates the German sights, sounds, scents and spirits of their festivities around Christmas time. 

Steve Roth is the city's special events manager and says the event initially began as a vendor's market but has evolved into something much bigger. 

"The vendor's marker has always been the foundation of Christkindl, but now it's live music happening all weekend, Kidskindl where you can meet Santa and decorate cookies, and ice carving contests," Roth said.

The main vendor's market is once again inside city hall, with more than 90 booths to shop from, selling everything from clothing to artwork, German wooden pyramids that move by the heat of a candle to the fruited bread treat stollen.

A section of King Street in the downtown core is lined with fire places, food trucks and more vendors to browse. 

Some people may also notice that King Street shines a little brighter for this year's festival. 

"We worked with our downtown business association and one of the cool things is that we have way more Christmas lights than we've ever had before. So the vibe is going to feel that much more festive. There's more music and more entertainment," Roth said. 

Snow on the ground may also help get people in the holiday spirit and Environment Canada's forecast says more snow is expected to fall Friday and Saturday.

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Katharine Crewson and her boyfriend stopped by the market right when it opened Thursday morning. 

"We came last year and we really enjoyed it," she explained. "We had schnitzel and sauerkraut on a bunch which we absolutely loved."

As for Jessica Toomer who moved to the region roughly three years ago, she said she's looking forward to getting some Christmas shopping done. 

"It's just the ability to shop locally. All these local businesses come and do one big hurrah together. At Christkindl, there's a lot of pop-up markets happening and I'm just excited," she said. 

Drinking pilot project

For the first time, attendees have the opportunity to enjoy an alcoholic beverage while taking in the sights and sounds of the festival. 

As part of a pilot project, the city licensed a section of King Street, but it won't be fenced off like a typical beer garden.

"A lot of the time, if you have a licensed area, you can't bring your kids in it," he said. "Now, you can get an apple cider or a hot chocolate for them, a special adult beverage for you and as a family, be able to enjoy the whole experience."

LISTEN | Christkindl Market kicks off in downtown Kitchener:

The Morning Edition - K-W6:10Christkindl Market kicks off in downtown Kitchener

Downtown Kitchener has been transformed into the Christkindl Market. Event organizer Steve Roth tells us what’s in store for this year, including special alcohol licensing as part of a pilot project.

While no fences are up holding people in, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) told CBC News there are specific requirements to allow for such a permit:

• The event is outside (like a street festival).
• The event has been designated "municipally significant" and there must be a letter from a delegated municipal official or a resolution from municipal council.
• Those organizing the event must have an agreement with the liquor sales licensee(s) saying that there's no unreasonable risk to the public interest and no unreasonable risk of non-compliance with all acts and requirements.

"As with all liquor license holders, staff must ensure that liquor is consumed safely and responsibly," said the AGCO in an emailed statement.

Mark Holmes is director of the University of Guelph's School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism and says a license like this means the community will have to work closely with law enforcement to ensure there's supervision of the perimeter and that boundaries of the area are clearly marked.

"It allows another opportunity for patrons to experience different things that a community might have to offer," said Holmes. 

He adds licenses like Kitchener's Christkindl allow attendees to try local options. 

"I think buying local and having that local experience and even being able to drink that at a local event is a great way to synergize," Holmes.