Chris Kringle Market

04/17/2026

✨ Applications Now Open: 2026 Ottawa Chris Kringle Market! ✨

The Chris Kringle Market is a seasonal, nonprofit, community event designed to support local economic vitality, arts and culture, and tourism in Ottawa, Illinois. We create a festive, family-friendly holiday experience where visitors can shop from a curated selection of local businesses, artists, and nonprofits.

📝 Please note: Participation is by application only and all vendors are selected through a juried review process to ensure a high-quality, cohesive market experience.

📍 New for 2026:
The Market will be held entirely on Jackson Street (101 W. Jackson Street) for a more connected, walkable Christmas village.

📅 Market Dates:
• Nov 27–29 (Weekend 1)
• Dec 4–6 (Weekend 2)
• Dec 11–13 (Weekend 3)
• Dec 18–20 (Weekend 4)
Bonus: Vendors selected for all 4 weekends receive a $200 discount (applied to invoice).

We are prioritizing vendors who offer:
• Local or regional, independently owned products
• Handmade goods, original artwork, specialty food items, or unique gifts
• Nonprofits with a community-focused mission
• Products that fit a family-friendly, holiday-themed market

Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance. To maintain variety and quality, the Market may limit similar product categories.

Last year, the Market welcomed thousands of visitors and generated over 1 million social media views—and we’re expanding with even more experiences to drive traffic and sales this season.

📩 Questions? [email protected]

👉 Apply now and be part of the magic: https://forms.gle/anGTpMQZaRnMUdcbA

04/03/2026

We have exciting news! The Ottawa Chris Kringle Market is moving to Jackson Street for the 2026 season! The move will create a more cohesive, accessible, and immersive market experience for visitors and vendors alike.

Read more on our website: https://www.chriskringlemarket.com/s/stories/ottawa-chris-kringle-market-announces-new-home-on-jackson-street-for-2026-season

12/25/2025

The big day is finally here! From all of us at Ottawa’s Chris Kringle Market, we wish you and yours the most joyous Christmas! We truly loved having you join us at the market this year, and hope you started (or continued) holiday traditions with us! From visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, to horse-drawn carriage rides, Christmas caroling, strolling the market under the twinkling lights, and more, this was a market to remember!

Merry Christmas!

12/21/2025

Today only, grab a Kringle Candle for only $13! It’s the perfect way to bring the warmth of the Market home with you! Makes a great gift (it’s also already gift-wrapped)!

Get it at the Info Hut on the Jordan Block. Limited quantities available.

12/21/2025

As the saying goes, “all good things must come to an end.” Today is the LAST DAY of the Chris Kringle Market for 2025!

We’ve had so much fun this holiday season at the market with you. Christmas caroling, engagements, reunions, visits with Santa, time with friends and family, plus strolling through the market to browse the unique finds our vendors bring week after week. It all happens at the Market!

Today’s your last chance to experience holiday magic. What are you waiting for? Meet us at the Market today from 11 am-4 pm.

🎅 Santa House Hours: 11 am-2 pm. Get those wish lists in!

12/20/2025

Stop by the info hut on the Jordan Block for a cup of chili, courtesy of our friends at Keagan’s Irish Pub!

Mugs are available for $12 each. Donations for chili are warmly accepted.

12/20/2025

Christmas fun awaits you at the Chris Kringle Market today! Whether you’re searching for that perfect gift, grabbing a bite to eat from one of our awesome food vendors, or soaking up the last of the holiday magic, the Chris Kringle Market is *the* place to be today!

Plus, we’re offering FREE horse-drawn carriage rides, courtesy of our friends at SOCU! Noon-3 pm on Court Street, first-come, first-served.

Santa and Mrs. Claus are waiting for all those Christmas wish lists from 4-6 pm today in their house on the Jordan Block. And, we’ll have free s’mores kits available on Jackson Street and the Jordan Block all weekend long (until we run out, but we have plenty!).

And, if we may be so bold for a moment: if you’re from the Illinois Valley, you know how cruel this winter weather has been. Between the snow, the freezing cold temps, the wind and ice… this season has been one for the record books. It’s going to be absolutely GORGEOUS out today and tomorrow, so we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to come out and support not just the market vendors, but also our wonderful downtown merchants. We know they’d love to see you! Let’s make this a Christmas to remember!

The market is open today from 11 am-7 pm, and tomorrow from 11-4 pm. These are our final 2 days of the market!

12/19/2025

Relive the magic of the Festival of Lights Parade! Huge thanks to the Ottawa Special Events Group for putting on the biggest and best parade yet!

12/19/2025

Navigate the Chris Kringle Market with Ease!

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our Digital Market Map — your all-in-one guide to enjoying every magical corner of the Chris Kringle Market!

With just a tap, you can:
🛍️ Explore vendor locations
🎅 Check Santa House hours
🔥 Find the S’mores Station schedule
📸 Discover photo opps
🚶 Get walking directions between market locations
…and so much more!

Whether you’re planning your visit or already strolling under the twinkling lights, our Digital Market Map makes it easy to find your favorites and uncover new delights along the way. We will have QR codes that link to the map at the entrance to the markets on Jackson Street and at Jordan Block, but feel free to bookmark this location for easy reference.

👉 Tap the link and start exploring! https://viewer.mapme.com/ottawa-chris-kringle-market

Your perfect holiday adventure awaits at the Chris Kringle Market!

12/19/2025

Final weekend for the market starts today at 4 pm! Come on out for Christmas cheer! All weekend long on Jackson Street and the Jordan Block!

For one more weekend, you can experience the magic of Christmas throughout Downtown Ottawa.