The Christkindlmarket name comes from the myth of the Christkindl who is a fairy-like being, dressed in a gold and white robe with a crown atop her golden locks. The Christkindl is the traditional bearer of gifts to children in German-speaking countries. She is the equivalent of Santa Claus in Germanic culture. The market has welcomed Nuremberg's former Christkindls to the city of Chicago for the past 12 Christmas seasons. Every year, the Christkindl, who serves as an official representative of the city of Nuremberg, opens the Chicago Christkindlmarket with her famous decree. Her participation in the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony has been a cherished tradition since 1999. The ceremony takes place annually on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day; and it is hosted by the Mayor's Office of Special Events.
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