Tis the season for the Christkindlmarket, located outside of Fiserv Forum as Thanksgiving falls further into the rearview mirror and Milwaukee begins to look more and more like a winter wonderland. This quaint German-inspired holiday village will spread holiday cheer now until Dec. 25 with tasty treats to choose from, handcrafted gifts and much more festive fun! 

We have put together for you the best 10 finds from this trendy Christkindlmarket!

1. Ornaments

From hand painted to hand crafted wooden ornaments, the Christkindlmarket has hundreds of beautiful decorations to truly make your tree glimmer and glow with art! Plus, if you are looking for another holiday tradition, in the Kathe Wohlfahrt tent, you can find the traditional pickle ornament. You hide it on the tree, and when somebody finds the sneaky ornament, they get a special prize!

2. Hot chocolate

Warm up with a cozy rich cup of Bob’s Belgian Hot Chocolate – and take home one of those adorable souvenir mugs as an added bonus! Pro-tip: Put the complimentary mini cookie into the hot cocoa to make for an extra delicious cup of cheer! 

3. Bratwurst

What’s a German village, or even just a meal in Wisconsin, without a bratwurst with extra sauerkraut? Sink your teeth into one of these juicy brats with a choice of sauerkraut or mustard – or both! If you are feeling more adventurous, though, the stand at Christkindlmarket offers several other tasty sausage varieties to try, from like the Smoked Landjaeger to the Kilometer sausage and the Alpine Cheese Bratwurst. Now that sounds like a Wisconsin winner!

4. The Schwibbogen 

If you aren’t familiar with these spectacular wooden works of art, then don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Not only are these beautiful wooden arches the perfect gift, but they have come with a history dating back 250 years ago! To find out more about the legend of the Schwibbogen, come to the Kathe Wohlfahrt tent and marvel at these gorgeous hand-crafted holiday scenes for yourself. 

5. Gulasch Soup

This scrumptious German soup will warm you up on a cold winter wonderland night of shopping and exploring, serving as the perfect side for your brat or German craft beer. With a burst of flavors, veggies and beef, you can’t go wrong with this delicious choice! 

6. Raclette cheese 

Melted in front of you, heavenly Raclette cheese awaits you in four dishes of your choice. You can get the fresh melted Raclette on a toasted baguette with the Alpine Brat, the Jambon Cru with cured ham, the Saucisson Sec with cured salami or just the Raclette on a toasted baguette for the vegetarian option. No matter which option you choose, you just won Christmas weeks early.

7. German chocolates

Attention all sweet teeth: Come to the Sweet Castle for German truffles, craft chocolates and other sweet treats that you can’t find anywhere else. Whether you send the chocolates to loved ones, stuff them in stockings or break into them right away as a gift to yourself, they are something for everyone!  

8. Nutcrackers

The Christkindlmarket has an extensive selection of these beautifully crafted Christmas classics of all shapes and sizes. Whether you are a collector or want to amp up your holiday decorations, the nutcracker is a wonderful and traditional gift. 

9. Cozy winter gear

Freezing while hunting for holiday finds? Thankfully the Christkindlmarket comes prepared with a variety of trendy and high-end winter pieces that you need for this upcoming winter, including hats, mittens, scarves, and sweaters! There are even some pieces made with soft, high-quality alpaca fur that will keep you warm no matter what kind of winter vortex is gusting outside.

10. Steins

These one-of-a-kind ceramic German steins can either be used as art or used to drink all of the delicious craft beers found at the Christkindlmarket. To bring your beer drinking to a professional level, you need a stein to make sure you get the full taste of the beers’ perfections. So get yourself the ultimate of Brew City gifts.