UPDATED 10:16 p.m.
Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – It’s time for something new. Get ready for Christkindlmarket, a German-style holiday village.
“I wanted this to be more than just a retail experience during the holidays,” Downtown Springfield Inc. (DSI) executive director Jay Shanle told the Springfield city council. “The holiday walks are somewhat waning; obviously, retail – that landscape has shifted a lot with online purchases. We don’t have as many retailers in our downtown spaces as we used to. I want to provide quality wares and engaging experiences, something that happens more than just a one-off.”
Shanle says the market would likely be open Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The holiday walks have been Wednesdays and Saturdays, and those will continue.
The new concept is not expected to start until 2027, DSI said Friday.
Shanle says he anticipates it will be on the Old State Capitol Plaza between Thanksgiving and Christmas. He says the Old State Capitol could be used for displays, children’s activities, or just a place to go to the bathroom or simply warm up.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been corrected to reflect that the Holiday Walks are not ending, but will be part of all the downtown holiday activities/
