The Carmel Christkindlmarkt at Carter Green opens on November 23rd for the 2024 holiday season! This local favorite has become a tradition for many Indianapolis and Carmel residents. With the Carmel ice rink, holiday market, live entertainment, crafts, woodworking shop, German food and beverages, kids activity corner, and more, there is a magical day to be had at the Christkindlmarkt. Carter Green is located at Carmel City Center in Hamilton County, Indiana. For other great holiday events and attractions to visit in Indianapolis this holiday season, click here!

A Magical Day at the Christkindlmarkt

Opening Day November 23rd, 2024

The November 23 grand opening day will be full of exciting fanfare and German tradition, including entertainment by the Midwest Alphorn Retreat, led by Dr. Peggy DeMers, performing traditional sounds of the Alps on their handmade authentic wooden Alphorns. Jay Fox & the Jammin Germans will perform in the afternoon. Artists will be showcasing their woodworking and crafts will be available to create and take home. Kids can create their own Nutcracker at the Kinderecke and watch the Roz Puppets Show. Meet and greets with the 2024 Carmel Christkind will be available throughout the day. Stay through the evening and enjoy the fantastic lighting of the tree!

Traditional German Christmas Market

From November 23rd through December 24th, families can enjoy the “old world charm” atmosphere of a traditional outdoor German Christmas Market. There are so many wonderful foods and drink items to try, gifts and decorations to shop from outdoor wooden huts, and live entertainment to enjoy. The Christkindlmarkt in Carmel isn’t anything like a holiday craft fair, but there will be some local vendors. Almost everything in the Market is handmade and most of it comes from German artisans who make these items in their homes. Many of the items are the very same items you can buy at the market during a visit to Germany! Check out our gift recommendations to purchase at the Christkindlmarkt.

Only a few open-air Christkindl Markets exist in the midwest and Carmel, Indiana is home to the best. There is no admission fee to visit and walk around the Christkindlmarkt. Parking is free in the parking garages and along the streets of Carmel City Center.

Scrumptious German Food

With over 100 huts dedicated to gift items and traditional German food and drink, you’ll have a magical time shopping and eating your way through the Christkindlmarkt. From the enormous Bavarian pretzels, Kartoffelpuffer German potato pancakes, schnitzel, and German sausages to the famous Kartofflesoiess spiral fried potatoes, there is something to please everybody. Traditional Doner Kebabs or Swiss-German raclette sandwiches with melted cheese scraped over fresh bread are a crowd favorite, but be ready to stand in line for them!

In addition to these tasty picks, there are Das Schokoladenhaus chocolate-covered pretzels, marshmallows, and fruit as well as made-to-order crepe desserts. You’ll probably be ready for a steaming hot coffee, hot chocolate, or mulled wine to help keep you warm on a chilly evening at the Market.

Kinderecke “Kids Corner” and Kids Passport Program

The Kinderecke (“Kids Corner”) is a special space for families to make crafts and memories together during all Market hours. Head over to the special kid-friendly hut to make all sorts of fun holiday-themed or German-inspired creations! There is a full schedule of crafts and activities in the Kinderecke, including 3D star ornaments, woodworking workshops, cookie decorating, string art, and Sankt Martinstag Lanterns.

The Kinderecke is also one of three locations where you can pick up your Kinder Club Passport. With the passport, children can collect stamps and receive a special prize. The Passport program gets everyone exploring the market to collect stamps from different huts around the Christkindlmarkt. Take your passport to the huts that display the Passport logo to collect stamps. After you have collected at least five different stamps, present your passport to the Guest Services hut for a prize. Viel Spass!

Carmel Ice Rink

From November 23rd, 2024 through February 2nd, 2025, families will be able to skate underneath the stars or spend an afternoon getting active in a fun way. The Ice at Carter Green is a large outdoor ice skating rink situated between the Palladium and the Booth Tarkington Theatre, right in the middle of the Christkindlmarkt.

At 180 feet by 80 feet, the Ice at Carter Green is one of the largest outdoor rinks in the Midwest and one of the few outdoor rinks in Indiana. Also, it’s chilled, which means that even if it’s a warm winter, you can still enjoy frozen ice outside. Up to 150 people can be on the ice at once and skates are available for rental.

Carmel Ice Rink Dates and Prices

The Carmel ice rink opens on November 23rd and tickets are available for purchase now. Ice skating sessions are 90 minutes (weekday sessions may be longer). The ice rink is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, as well as Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and from January 6-10, 2025. The rink is generally open Wednesday – Sunday through January 5th. The Carmel ice rink will be open for extended hours from December 26 – January 5. From January 11 – February 2, the rink will be open Thursday – Sunday with several special events in January. Detailed hours of operation can be found on their website.

Children ages 10 and under pay $9 per session. Adults and children ages 11 and up pay $11 per session. Skate rental is $4 per person for everybody. If this is your first time ice skating at the Carmel ice rink, check out this article which goes into more detail about the experience and process.

Spielhaus Playhouse

Werkstatt Workshop

Step inside the Werkstatt (“Workshop”) and learn how some of the traditional Christmas decorations at the Market are made! The Werkstatt is a community and a glimpse into history. Visitors can meet German artists, share stories, swap tricks and tips, and feel inspired by the extraordinary talent of these artisans. In the Werkstatt, the artists and visitors are letting time stand still while appreciating different cultures and different ways to keep traditions alive for the next generation.

Winter Pavilion

Enjoy the holiday sounds and shows of the Market at the Winter Pavilion, located at the east end of the Carmel ice rink. The Winter Pavilion is the hub for entertainment, where you’ll find live music, performances, competitions, and more. Check out the main stage’s schedule of performances by artists including Circle City Sidewalk Stompers Clown Band, Metropolitan Youth Ballet of Indiana, Nostalgia Dance Center, Fort Wayne Tanzer, Indianapolis Liederkranz German Band, Alphorn performers, Dickens carolers, and many, many more.

Glühwein Pyramid in Carmel

The German-built Glühwein Pyramid is 33 feet tall, the first and largest of its kind in America. You can’t miss it! Adult visitors to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt will love a visit to the Glühwein Pyramid where you can try various mulled wines, German beers, and other holiday drinks. In addition to alcoholic beverages, the Glühwein Pyramid serves up soft drinks, bottled water, and a non-alcoholic mixed fruit beverage from Germany.

We counted eight different types of German mulled wine from egg-based mulled wine to cherry mulled wine. Beer lovers will love the German beer selection, including a mulled beer! Don’t forget to buy your 2024 collectors Glühwein boot mug, available exclusively at the Christkindlmarkt.

Christkindlmarkt Events

Unique entertainers, special cultural events, and fun family programming take place throughout the Christkindlmarkt. Find out what’s happening and when, and then plan your visit to coincide with some extra Market magic.

Wundernacht

November 20, 6 pm – 9 pm: This new event lets adults 21+ experience a night of Market magic with German food, specialty cocktails, unique photo opportunities, and special entertainment.

Sankt Martinstag

November 30, 7 pm – 8 pm: At this traditional German festival, families carry illuminated paper lanterns and sing together as Sankt Martinstag leads the procession on horseback around the Market. Make your own lantern and join the procession.

Indianapolis Colts Fest

December 1, 12 pm – 8 pm: Celebrate the Colts’ partnership with Germany and Austria. Meet Blue, Colts Cheer, and add some horseshoe pride to your holiday photos and Christmas tree.

Christkind ChoralFest

December 4, 4:30 pm – 9 pm: Choirs will perform up to three holiday songs for Market guests to enjoy during Christkind ChoralFest. Choirs of all ages are invited to participate.

Sankt Nikolaustag

December 6, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Visit with Sankt Nikolaustag and Knecht Ruprecht. Children are invited to share a poem or song for Sankt Nikolaustag. Each child will receive a customary present.

KulturFest

December 7, 12:30 pm – 3 pm: See performances in various German arts, such as yodeling, singing, dancing, and more in a jaw-dropping showcase at the Winter Pavilion.

German Sing-Along & Ornament Exchange

December 11, 7:30 pm – 9 pm: Join in on a festive sing-along and swap ornaments. Bring a wrapped ornament and select a new one to take home.

Gluhwein Gallop 5K Walk/Run

December 14, 9 am – 11 am: Wear your wackiest costume for a wintertime 5K Walk/Run that starts and ends at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt.

Military Appreciation Day

December 15, 12 pm – 8 pm: This special day honors active and retired military members with a Noon ceremony, a complimentary hot chocolate from Urick Concessions, and sausage from Baked Cheese Haus.

Carmel Christkindlmarkt Bier Competition

December 20, 5 pm – 6 pm: Calling all pro and home brewers! Have your best brew judged by a panel of experts, complete with an award ceremony.

Spending a day at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt has become a tradition for our family. We usually go the day after Thanksgiving as the weather is still warmer and the crowds haven’t gotten too crazy yet. If you’re wanting to go ice skating, make sure to buy tickets online well in advance. Remember, the Carmel ice rink stays open even after the Christkindlmarkt has packed up so if you can hold off, you can experience ice skating without it being very busy after Christmas. Make sure you get to the Market hungry because there is so much great food to try. And if you’ve got some holiday shopping left to do, the Christkindlmarkt is a wonderful place to purchase unique gifts.

Explore More in Carmel

Visiting the Carmel Christkindlmarkt from out of town? There are lots of wonderful things to do in Carmel with kids. There are great family-friendly parks and playgrounds. Step out of the Christkindlmarkt and right onto the Monon Trail which connects to tons of other hiking and biking trails so you can walk, bike, or stroll throughout town. You will find many great family-friendly restaurants in Carmel. If you’re looking for a more romantic option, Carmel has several restaurants that are perfect for date night, like the famous Cake Bake Shop just steps away from the Christkindlmarkt!

Walk a half a mile north on the Monon Trail from the Christkindlmarkt and you’ll find Midtown Plaza Carmel. Midtown offers restaurants, shops, a popcorn store, a splash pad, a playground, and a brewery surrounding an outdoor plaza where you can eat, drink, play pool and ping pong, watch a show on the big screen, or listen to live music. Next to the playground are bocce ball and shuffleboard courts.

Another half mile north of Midtown, and you’ll be in the heart of Carmel at the Carmel Arts & Design District. The bustling “downtown Carmel” on Main Street has countless restaurants, shops, activities, and things to do and see. My favorites are Peace Water Winery, the Museum of Miniature Houses, Silver in the City, Fayrouz Meditteranean cuisine, and the World’s Smallest Children’s Art Gallery.

Do you want to know how the Carmel ice rink is set up? Drop in on the live video feed and watch its progress from home!

All Indianapolis Holiday Events

Have you been to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt? Do you plan to skate at the Carmel ice rink? Share your comments and pictures with us below or tag us on social media using #PLAYindy. Follow Indy with Kids on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for all of the best ideas and things to do with kids in Indy!