In the heart of Mass Avenue’s Arts District, you’re invited to eat, drink, and be merry this holiday season.

At our inaugural Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt, you’ll find the traditional festival elements (music, warm raclettes, gluhwein and plenty of platzchen to go around) are just the foundation for special storytelling traditions unique to our rich, German culture. This is your chance to gather with friends and family, and celebrate the magic and wonder of the holiday season in our historic Biergarten.

Closing Weekend — Thursday thru Sunday, December 15 – 18

Thursday, Dec. 15: 5:00 – 9:00pm

Friday, Dec. 16: 5:00 – 9:00pm

Saturday, Dec. 17: Noon – 9:00pm

Sunday, Dec. 18: Noon – 6:00pm

React – Hut #1
Christmas trees and greenery

Ash & Elm Cider Co. – Hut #2
Locally crafted Mulled cider and products available for carryout

Coat Check Coffee – Hut #3
Coffee, hot chocolate and sweets

Pretzel Haus – Hut #4
 pretzels and Rathskeller spicy mustard

King Lou Pets – Hut #5
Pet treats and holiday gift boxes

J&K Sweet Shop – Hut #6
German roasted nuts

HeidiJHale Designs + Details – Hut #7
Jewelry

Gallery Pastry Shop – Hut #8
Baked Goods

Silver in the City – Hut #9
Gift wrap, candles, cards and ornaments

The Athenaeum Foundation – Hut #10
Exclusive Christkindlmarkt items

Gravesco Pottery – Hut #11
Christkindlmarkt boot mugs, steins and pottery

Wax Traditions – Hut #12
Hand-painted German-style ornaments

The Rathskeller Restaurant
Traditional Christkindlmarkt food items, gluhwein, beer, wine, pretzels and spicy mustard

Starters

Loaded Kartoffelpuffer
Potato pancakes topped with bacon, cheese, sour cream, & green onion

$6.50

Kartoffelpuffer
Potato pancakes with sour cream or apple sauce

$5.50

One Warm Soft Brauhaus Pretzel
Our famous Rathskeller soft pretzel Christkindl size, served with spicy German mustard and beer cheese

$7.50

Specialty Sandwiches

Sandwiches are served with Potato Chips or German Potato Salad.

Warm Raclette Cheese Sandwich on a French Baguette
The Christkindlmarkt favorite, authentic Swiss Raclette cheese, warmed and served on buttered toasted French Baguette

$10.95

Grilled Bavarian Honey Ham & Raclette Sandwich
The Christkindlmarkt favorite, authentic Swiss Raclette cheese, warmed and served on buttered toasted French Baguette, along with grilled Bavarian Honey Ham

$12.95

Aufschnitz Sandwich on Pretzel Roll
Authentic German cold cuts piled high with Swiss cheese, tomatoes, and sliced kosher pickles (served with our legendary spicy mustard)

$10.95

German Bratwurst on Pretzel Roll
A classic weiss (white) brat beer-steamed and grilled, served on crusty pretzel roll and topped with our delicious sauerkraut

$10.95

Claus’ Frankfurter Knackwurst on Pretzel Roll 
A classic authentic Frankfurter Knackwurst beer steamed and grilled, served on pretzel roll and topped with our delicious sauerkraut. Knackwurst provided by Claus’ German Sausage and Meat Market.

$10.95

Sweet Treat

Lubkuchen-Honey Gingerbread Cookies
Rathskeller Homemade

$4.50

Featured Drink

Gluhwein
German Dornfelder wine steeped with orange peels and holiday spices

$8

 

Featured Draft Beer

Sankt Nik’s Knickers
A Sun King brown ale brewed with chocolate & coffee

$7/16oz & $11/32oz

 

German Draft Beer

Warsteiner Isenbeck

Warsteiner Pilsner

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier

Paulaner Salvator

Spaten Lager

Spaten Oktoberfest

$8/16oz & $12/32oz

 

Full Service Bar Available

Prices Vary

 

Featured Cider

German-Style Applewein (available exclusivly at the Ash & Elm Cider Haus – Hut #2)
Inspired by old-world apple wine, this tannic, dry cider was made especially for the Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt in the traditional German style.

Closing Weekend – Thursday thru Sunday, December 15 – 18

Efroymson Main Stage

Thursday, Dec. 15 @ 6pm Holiday Karaoke

Friday, Dec. 16 @ 6pm Jennifer Mlott

Sunday, Dec. 18 @ 1pm DysFUNKtion Brass Band

Does it cost to attend the Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt?
Entrance into the Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt is FREE. There are costs If you choose to purchase items from one of the vendor huts.

 

Are pets allowed?
No, given the small footprint of the Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt and the expected crowds we are asking that you leave pets at home.  Thank you for understanding.

 

What is the weather policy?
The Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt is an outdoor rain or shine event. The Market will only shut down in the event of severe weather. We will post about any Market closure on the Athenaeum Christkindlamrkt page of our website and our social media outlets. 

 

Where can I park?
Parking is in our new Block 20 Garage located right next door to the Athenaeum. Pre purchase your parking by clicking here.

 

Is there handicap parking available?
Yes, handicap parking is available in the Block 20 Garage.

 

What are parking fees?
More info soon!

 

What is the address for the Christkindlmarkt?
The Athenaeum is located at 401 E. Michigan St, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Entry for the Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt is located on the corner of Cleveland St & Michigan St.

 

What forms of payment are accepted?
Both credit cards and cash are accepted.

 

Is smoking permitted at the market?
Tobacco products are not permissible while visiting the Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vape pens and pipes.

What-To-Do-Stack3

Krampus is coming to town!

KRAMPUSNACHT — 4-9pm on SATURDAY, DEC 3 (FAMILY FRIENDLY 4-7pm)

According to legend and folklore, a mythical demon-goat beast arrives every year to scare and punish those who find themselves on the naughty list. With its long fangs, menacing horns, and a switch made of birch sticks, Krampus rules the night. This traditional Krampusnacht (Krampus Night) celebration dates back hundreds of years to the towns and villages of the European Alps, and is immediately followed by the arrival of Sankt Nikolaus, a kind-hearted gift giver who arrives the following day to reward those who have been good.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Add your name to Sankt Nikoluas’ Golden Book!

SANKT NIKOLAUS FEST — 1-4pm on SUNDAY, DEC 4

All are welcome to enjoy this nostalgic visit with Christmas past. With a focus on family fun and making lasting memories, the Athenaeum Foundation brings traditional holiday favorites to ring in the season of joy. Since 1985, the Sankt Nikolaus book of names has kept the name and age of every child who has visited with St. Nikolaus. At check in, your child’s name is added for a personalized visit with St. Nikolaus himself!

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Become a volunteer at our

inaugural Christkindlmarkt!

The Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt will feature local crafters, artisans, German inspired food, beverage, and entertainment. The Biergarten provides a unique setting for market goers to experience an age-old tradition just in time for the holiday season. You can help us create the true spirit of a Christkindlmarkt!

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP

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Athenaeum Foundation401 EAST MICHIGAN STREET
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46204
317.655.2755

Our Mission

The Athenaeum Foundation preserves a treasured historic landmark that welcomes all to nurture a sound mind and a sound body through arts & culture, wellness and community.

The Athenaeum Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization.