According to a survey, the Christkindlmarkt is the most crowded Christmas market in the USA

DOWNTOWN — It’s not just you who thinks this: it really is that crowded at the Christmas market.

The annual German-style Christmas event at Daley Plaza has earned the title of the most crowded Christmas market in the United States and Canada, according to a new survey.

According to CanadaSportsBetting’s survey, Christkindlmarket ranks first in the Christmas market with the most Yelp reviews mentioning that the market is “crowded” or “busy.”

Just over 38 percent of Christkindlmarket’s 780 Yelp reviews said it was too crowded, the survey said. The second-place market – Winter Village in Bryant Park in New York City – reported overcrowding in 33 percent of reviews.

Christkindlmarket takes over Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St., each holiday season. Its first season in 1996 was at Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan Ave., before moving to the Loop the following year.

Since then, the market has expanded to include satellite events in suburban Oak Brook, Naperville, Aurora and Wrigley Field. However, the Wrigley Field market was not held this year as the NHL’s Winter Classic was being held at the stadium.

The Daley Plaza Christmas market usually has a long queue at the entrance on weekends, and market visitors are often crowded together.

According to market organizers, 1.3 million visitors came through the Daley Plaza Christkindlmarket last year, while 480,000 people visited the Wrigley Field Christkindlmarket. The market had a record year of visitation in 2023 in its three markets of Loop, Lakeview and Aurora.

The overcrowding of the Christmas market has led to media reports about how to escape the crowds. NBC5 recommends going early on weekdays or taking a tour of the market before it opens for $45 to avoid weekend crowds.

Last year, the market offered a fast pass for $25 to visitors who wanted to skip the lines.

This year there is no such option. As always, entry to the Christmas market is free.

Click here to see the list of the 10 most crowded Christmas markets. Further information about the Christmas market at Daley Plaza and the holiday schedule can be found here.

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