Schweiger Ranch presents its annual Austrian Christmas and Christkindl Market on Saturday, December 4, 2021 from 11am-5pm to celebrate the Austrian and area's culture with Santa, reindeer, carriage rides, authentic Austrian food, entertainment, crafts, and local handcrafted gifts.
Schweiger Ranch, Austrian Christmas, events, education, living history museum, community events, Austrian culture, Austrian Heritage
Join us on December 4th from 11am to 5pm as we celebrate the Christmas traditions of the Austrians who settled the ranch in 1874. This is a free event with fun for the whole family! Registration required for entrance and some activities. See details below.
Schweiger Ranch is presenting its annual Austrian Christmas and Christkindl Markt on Saturday, December 4th from 11 am-5 pm. There will be holiday fun for the whole family. Visit Santa Claus and his real reindeer, take a horse drawn carriage ride, and enjoy authentic Austrian food and music. Stop by the Christkindl Markt for presents that will add a local handcrafted touch to your gift giving. The event culminates with the awe and wonder of the annual holiday tree lighting.
Please note dogs will not be allowed at this event.
This is a FREE Ticketed Event – REGISTRATION REQUIRED for entry. | Click HEREto register and select your desired arrival window which are in one hour increments.
Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain Photography
Schedule of Events
11:00 am | Gates Open
11:00 am – 12:30 pm | Wreath-making Workshop | REGISTRATION REQUIRED – (see Wreath Making & Decorating section for details)
11:00 am – 1:00 pm | Rheinlanders Band
11:00 am – 4:30 pm | Face Painting
11:00 am – 4:30 pm | Kids Crafts with South Suburban Parks & Rec
11:00 am – 4:00 pm | Visit Santa Claus
11:00 am – 5:00 pm | Visit Santa’s Reindeer
11:00 am – 5:00 pm | Christkindl Markt
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm | Wreath-making Workshop | REGISTRATION REQUIRED – (see Wreath Making & Decorating section for details)
1:30 pm – 4:45 pm | Austrian Connection Band
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm | Wreath-making Workshop | REGISTRATION REQUIRED – (see Wreath Making & Decorating section for details)
4:55 pm | Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
5:00 pm | Event Concludes
Photo courtesy of Bartholomew Photography
Christkindl Markt Vendors
Handcrafted items made special for the event.
Ad Crucem | Christmas Ornaments and Greeting Cards
Bob’s Roasted nuts | Specialty Roasted Nuts
Bridge to Happiness | Ornaments and Wreaths
Bundle Kids Cards | Greeting Cards
Courageous Coffee | Specialty Coffees
Elemental Remedies | Soaps, Sugar Scrubs and Lip Balm
Executive Pen Source | Wood and Acrylic Pens and Pencils
Wraps by Mandi | Rice-Filled Aromatherapy Heat Wraps
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
Skip the line and spend more time enjoying the Austrian Christmas entertainment or shopping the Christkindl Markt.
To allow you and your family more time to enjoy the Austrian Christmas and Christkindl Markt, we have created a registration system for the carriage rides. This will allow the horses needed breaks and sanitizing as required between guests.
***Important Note: Please be sure to register for the Austrian Christmas & Christkindl Markt event prior to registering for a carriage ride. See above ticket section for event registration link. You must be registered for the overall event with an arrival window prior to your carriage ride timeslot to allow for event entry and carriage ride check-in five minutes prior to your ride registration.
Come try your hand at holiday wreath making and decorating with Floral Exploration. Three workshops available ($45 purchase) throughout the day with 12 spaces available for each workshop time. Workshops are scheduled for 1.5 hours, but can be completed in less time depending on your desired wreath design.
Choose from a grapevine wreath or an evergreen wreath as your base. Receive general instruction on wreath making and then enjoy crafting and decorating your own wreath.
Pre-made wreaths and door swags designed by Floral Exploration will be available for purchase as well if you wish to take an extra goodie home or to gift to a friend.
***Important Note: Please be sure to register for the Austrian Christmas & Christkindl Markt event prior to registering for a Wreath Making & Decorating Class. See above ticket section for event registration link. You must be registered for the overall event with an arrival window prior to your Wreath Class timeslot to allow for event entry and class check-in.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED | click HEREto register and for more information.
Volunteers Needed!
Be a part of this amazing event and make it a memorable experience for our community. Volunteers needed for 2-hours shifts ranging from guest-in, carriage ride line manager, main tent oversight, hot coco booth, set up, teardown, and much more. We kept the shifts short so you can enjoy the event before or after your shift. To volunteer, click here.