Athenaeum’s Annual Christkindlmarkt Mixes Holiday Cheer With Playful Krampus Traditions
If you’re looking for a Christmas celebration with a little more curiosity — or a fun way to mark the winter solstice — head downtown to the Athenaeum this December for its fourth annual Christkindlmarkt. Revelers can expect a vast array of foods, beverages and entertainment.
This year’s Christkindlmarkt launches on Nov. 28 and will run Fridays through Sundays throughout December. Nestled just off the bustling Massachusetts Avenue, the Athenaeum will host a variety of family activities, adult-focused frolicking and even a dog-friendly space.
A traditional German Christkindlmarkt, the Athenaeum’s festivities will include Krampusnacht on Saturday, Dec. 6, followed by St. Nikolaus Sunday on Dec. 7.
Hailing from humble Germanic roots, the story goes that St. Nikolaus would visit benevolent children each year on Dec. 6, bringing gifts of nuts, oranges and chocolate for the well-behaved. On a darker note, Krampus, St. Nikolaus’s goat-like servant, would visit naughty children on Dec. 7, whipping them with reeds and carrying them off as punishment for bad behavior. The Athenaeum embraces these quirky traditions, bringing a touch of old-world fun to downtown Indianapolis.
“It’s such a great story, and we simply love these traditions,” says Craig Mince, president and CEO of the Athenaeum Foundation, Inc. “We do a family-friendly Krampus celebration during the day, and at night about 20 Krampuses come out of the woodwork. They’ll parade down Mass Ave, engaging with anyone on the street. It’s a bit of fun revelry. Eventually, they circle back to the beer garden and leer over patrons. It’s all in good fun.”
Additionally, the Christkindlmarkt will honor other cultural celebrations, including Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Las Posadas. Kwanzaa will feature traditional storytelling and dance music. The Hanukkah celebration will offer themed kids’ crafts and Klezmer bands. Those taking part in Las Posadas can enjoy lively Mexican dancers, piñatas, Mexican hot chocolate and a Mariachi band.
“We love to incorporate as many holidays as possible around the winter solstice,” Mince says. “As different as we may sometimes think we are, these celebrations are a wonderful reminder of how similar we really are as cultures. It’s a great way to bring us all together.”
If you’re a lover of colorful music, you might also hear the jovial sounds of the DysFUNKtion Brass Band, Indy Polka Motion, or groups of carolers and choirs belting out traditional favorites. Mince and his team focus on keeping the atmosphere festive and lively — and they don’t disappoint.
The usual array of vendors will also be there, serving up traditional roasted nuts, hot cider, Glühwein, a selection of German beers, a Christkindlmarkt-only oatmeal stout from Guggman Haus, nonalcoholic Butter Bier and plenty of other treats for the whole family. Vendors will offer unique local items for sale, with rotating options to provide a fresh experience every time you visit.
“The truly cool thing about our vendors is that they’re all local,” Mince adds. “A traditional German Christkindlmarkt is held in the town square, with a regional set of people who come in and do the vending. We really latched onto that, and we want to keep that spirit thriving and represent local businesses.”
To learn more about this year’s Christkindlmarkt at the Athenaeum, visit athenaeumindy.org/events/christkindlmarkt/.
