DUBLIN, Ohio — Christkindlmarkt Dublin, Ohio will bring a traditional European holiday market to Central Ohio this season, opening Saturday, Nov. 21, and running through Thursday, Dec. 24, 2026, at Riverside Crossing Park at the base of the Dublin Link in Downtown Dublin. Admission is free.

Inspired by centuries-old German Christmas markets, Christkindlmarkt Dublin will offer seasonal food and drink, handcrafted gifts, live entertainment and a new annual collectible mug and ornament tradition. The market is designed to become a recurring regional destination for residents and visitors seeking a festive, family-friendly holiday experience.

“Christkindlmarkt is more than a place to visit — it’s a place people return to every year because of how it makes them feel,” said Maria Adele Rosenfeld, CEO of Christkindlmarkt Dublin, LLC. “Our goal is to create a welcoming holiday tradition where families and friends can gather, enjoy authentic flavors, explore authentic German gifts, and leave with memories they’ll want to recreate year after year.”

Guests can expect German-inspired offerings such as authentic German Pretzels and Sausages, Schnitzel, and Käsespätzle, along with Glühwein — warm spiced wine closely associated with the Christmas market experience. These shared flavors anchor the market’s focus on Gemütlichkeit, a sense of warmth, comfort and belonging, and Freude, the joy of celebrating together.

The market also will introduce its inaugural 2026 collectible Glühwein mug, the first in a series of limited annual designs. Each year’s mug will be available only during that season, creating a keepsake tradition for returning guests.

“Whether you’re enjoying Glühwein, hot chocolate or another seasonal favorite, we hope the mug becomes part of your family’s holiday tradition,” Rosenfeld said.

Christkindlmarkt Dublin follows several years of planning by the City of Dublin, beginning with a 2022 feasibility study and a competitive selection process. Christkindlmarkt Dublin, LLC, was chosen to lead development and operations.

Running from the Saturday before Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, the market is positioned as a destination for daytrip and overnight visitors across Ohio and the surrounding region. Guests can pair a market visit with dining, shopping and lodging throughout Dublin.

“Christkindlmarkt marks an exciting new chapter for Dublin as a year-round destination,” said Leslie Rummel, Head of Marketing & Communications for Visit Dublin. “Whether guests come to the market for an afternoon or make it a weekend getaway, they’ll discover a community that’s vibrant, walkable and full of great places to shop, dine and celebrate.”