FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2022
Athenaeum Foundation announces additional programming, vendor list for Christkindlmarkt
Inaugural Christkindlmarkt will celebrate and support local artisans, German heritage
INDIANAPOLIS – The Athenaeum Foundation announced additional programming details for its inaugural Christkindlmarkt, which will be held in the Rathskeller Biergarten from late November through mid-December.
“Announcing these additional details excites me even more about this upcoming event. This was an event concept that I’ve dreamed about since my first day on the job,” said Athenaeum Foundation President Craig Mince. “Our confirmed vendor list includes local and regional artists who will provide holiday gifts at affordable pricing options for everyone to enjoy, and I can’t wait to see how the Indianapolis community supports these vendors.”
The market will feature 12 vendor huts, which will be occupied by local artisans and merchants. Each hut vendor will sell holiday-specific items, local memorabilia, gifts and more. Solid State, a local design firm, conceptualized and designed the huts.
“We were very excited to hear the Athenaeum’s announcement about their Christkindlmarkt and believe it will help activate the Mass Ave district with even more holiday cheer this season,” said Silver in the City owner Kristin Kohn. “Our hut will have an array of locally made ornaments, cards, and gifts that represent the sights , sounds, and flavors of the holidays in Indy.”
The official vendor list includes:
- The Athenaeum Foundation – Exclusive Christkindlmarkt items
- The Rathskeller Restaurant – Traditional Christkindlmarkt food items, gluhwein, beer, wine, pretzels and spicy mustard
- Coat Check Coffee – Coffee, hot chocolate and sweets
- Silver in the City – Gift wrap, candles, cards and ornaments
- Ash & Elm Cider Co. – Locally crafted Mulled cider and products available for carryout
- Wax Traditions – Hand-painted German-style ornaments
- HeidiJHale Designs + Details – Jewelry
- Gravesco Pottery – Christkindlmarkt boot mugs, steins and pottery
- King Lou Pets – Pet treats and holiday gift boxes
- J&K Sweet Shop – German roasted nuts
- React – Christmas trees and greenery
- LHenry Art (First weekend) Charcuterie boards, candles and keychains
- SoulCraft LLC (Second weekend) – Oils, lotions and herbal teas
- Penn & Beech Candle Co. (Third weekend) – Candles
“I lived in Germany for a portion of my childhood and fondly remember the holiday markets and German traditions surrounding Christmas,” said HeidiJHale Designs + Details owner Heidi Hale. “Being able to be part of a Christkindlmarkt that celebrates local Hoosier artists while highlighting German heritage is extra special for me.”
The React Tree & Greenery Hut, which will be located at the Christkindlmarkt entrance off Cleveland and Michigan streets, will sell freshly cut Christmas trees and greenery.
The market will officially open on Friday, Nov. 25 and will operate Thursdays through Sundays in December, concluding on Sunday, Dec. 18. Hours will be:
- Thursday – Friday: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.*
- Saturday: Noon – 9 p.m.
- Sunday: Noon – 6 p.m.
*Except for Friday, Nov. 25., the hours will be 12 p.m. – 9p.m.
In addition to the huts, the Christkindlmarkt will include live entertainment on the Biergarten stage, food options provided by the Rathskeller and an exclusive beer brewed only for the Christkindlmarkt by Sun King Brewery.
Additional events include:
- Krampusnacht – Saturday, Dec. 3
- Sankt Nikolaus Fest – Sunday, Dec. 4
The Athenaeum Foundation is currently seeking volunteers for Christkindlmarkt. For more information about Christkindlmarkt or volunteer opportunities, please visit athenaeumindy.org/events/newchristkindlmarkt/
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About the Athenaeum
The Athenaeum, originally called Das Deutsche Haus, is a National Historic Landmark recognized in 2016 by the U.S. Department of the Interior for its role in educational, architectural, and German-American history of the city, state and nation.The Athenaeum preserves and enhances the historic German-American landmark to advance the “sound mind in a sound body” values of its founders through programming that lifts spirits and engages diverse communities. Completed in 1898, the building serves as a community center for many cultural, business and nonprofit groups, including the Coat Check Coffee, The YMCA, Indiana Performing Arts Centre, React children’s youth theatre and The Rathskeller Restaurant.
MEDIA CONTACT
Clare Clark
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