An old German tradition is a festive way to celebrate the holidays in Door County. The Door County Christkindlmarkt is a new event in the county, held over a series of weekends in Sister Bay. It’s a chance to buy some unique holiday items, hear some traditional live music, and get a big dose of the Christmas spirit. The event is simply magical and well worth the trip up the peninsula. Here’s what you need to know about Sister Bay’s Christkindlmarkt.

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While Christkindlmarkt is new to Door County, it’s one of the oldest holiday traditions around.

Facebook / Sister Bay Historical Society The first known Christkindlmarkt was in 1298! The market was held to serve food during Advent season. By 1384, villages all over Germany had markets selling food and crafts. Today, people flock to these timeless markets to buy nutcrackers, fruitcakes and other holiday items.

Door County has long embraced the holidays.

Facebook / Sister Bay Historical Society For decades, it has been home to specialty stores that sell Christmas ornaments, even in July. The county had no Christkindlmarkt, however.

Thankfully, times have changed.

Facebook / Sister Bay Historical Society The new Christkindlmarkt is being held over a series of consecutive weekends at the Corner of the Past Museum. You’ll find the museum at the corner of Fieldcrest Road and Highway 57 in Sister Bay.

The property is filled with old log historic buildings.

Facebook / Sister Bay Historical Society When the market comes to town, it’s transformed into a market where artists sell holiday ornaments and crafts under twinkling lights.

The event is fun for holiday lovers of all ages.

Facebook / Sister Bay Historical Society Enjoy the live music - and if you’re a little one, you might sample some Kinder punch or hot chocolate topped with whipped cream!

Santa will also reportedly be on hand to hear Christmas wishes, and holiday music will fill the air.

Facebook / Sister Bay Historical Society If the weather is cold, you can relax by one of the event’s fire pits and soak in this old – and new – holiday tradition!

The market includes live music daily and more than 20 vendors. See the current dates for Christkindlmarkt here. If this isn’t enough to get you in the holiday spirit, consider taking in one of these holiday displays that will knock your socks off!

Facebook / Sister Bay Historical Society

The first known Christkindlmarkt was in 1298! The market was held to serve food during Advent season. By 1384, villages all over Germany had markets selling food and crafts. Today, people flock to these timeless markets to buy nutcrackers, fruitcakes and other holiday items.

For decades, it has been home to specialty stores that sell Christmas ornaments, even in July. The county had no Christkindlmarkt, however.

The new Christkindlmarkt is being held over a series of consecutive weekends at the Corner of the Past Museum. You’ll find the museum at the corner of Fieldcrest Road and Highway 57 in Sister Bay.

When the market comes to town, it’s transformed into a market where artists sell holiday ornaments and crafts under twinkling lights.

Enjoy the live music - and if you’re a little one, you might sample some Kinder punch or hot chocolate topped with whipped cream!

If the weather is cold, you can relax by one of the event’s fire pits and soak in this old – and new – holiday tradition!

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Address: Sister Bay Historical Society, 10310 Fieldcrest Rd, Sister Bay, WI 54234, USA