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5 great/Old World markets

Another German tradition is a hit.

For 500 years, Germans have done their holiday shopping at open-air Christmas markets in town squares. Named for the Christ Child, the markets start on the first Sunday of Advent, with shoppers warming up with hot spiced Glühwein while browsing at garland-draped timber kiosks.

It's a tradition worth importing, and that's what Chicago did in 1996 with its Christkindlmarket. It's become more popular every year, and now people in many towns have markets of their own.

Christkindlsmarkt in Excelsior, Minn. In this Minneapolis suburb on Lake Minnetonka, choirs and bands play for shoppers at a traditional German open-air Christmas market in Lyman Park. There's also a lantern parade Friday at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 26-28.

Christkindlmarkt in Monroe, Wis. The sale in Turner Hall is small, but this cheese-country capital still has one foot in the Old World. Father Christmas will appear, and homemade Swiss baked goods as well as folk arts will be offered. Nov. 26-27.

Christkindlmarket in Chicago. This is the most authentic market, with many German vendors who bring over Old World toys, ornaments and sweets. There's a Meet and Greet with the Rockettes Nov. 28, a Children's Lantern Parade at 5 p.m. Dec. 5 and concerts on weekends. Nov. 25-Dec. 24.

There's also a Christkindl Market in the Lincoln Square neighborhood, at Western and Leland avenues, Dec. 3-5.

Frankenmuth Farmers Market Christkindlmarkt in Frankenmuth, Mich. This small town north of Flint is known as "Michigan's Little Bavaria'' and holds a traditional German Christmas Market in an elbow of the Cass River. A Holiday Celebration and Candlewalk is held Friday. Nov. 26-28.

Old World Christmas Market at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, Wis. This eastern Wisconsin market, held in a heated tent, features very good prices (pictured, Father Frost figures from Russia) as well as ambiance, and some vendors come over from Germany. Admission is $6. Dec. 3-12. For details, see Old World Christmas.

Last updated on September 22, 2010