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Right before Christmas, I visited the Winterland experience at Wrigley Field and strolled the Chriskindlmarket just outside the ballpark in Gallagher Way. The experience was enough to turn any glum mood into one filled with festive joy. In this blogpost, we will explore one of Chicago 's beloved winter activities.
Wrigley Field Winterland
Wrigley at this time of year is obviously different. Not only can you enjoy the tastes of the market and ride the Ferris wheel outside, you can also enjoy all of the opportunities inside. Festive music blared through the speakers and beautiful garlands lined the entrance of the park. There was plenty of photo opportunities, which I of course took advantage of and currently have a photo as my phone lock screen. If you can ice skate, there is a rink for you to use and the prettiest lights draped above it. There were plenty of rides for all ages and carnival games. The most unique one to me was the ice bumper cars, although I did not end up trying it out. As someone who gets cold very easily, it was nice to see that they provided many spots to warm up on a freezing day such as fire pits where most people stood conversating and the large tent where you can purchase food and drink.
A Baseball Twist
It was an unusual yet exciting feeling seeing the historic Wrigley Field- a place we know hosting day and night games with packed seats and hot dogs turn into a magical winter wonderland for people of all ages to enjoy. Every corner of the field is decorated with festive cheer and nods to baseball. You can walk under a large baseball strung up in lights with your loved one and take photos together right above the center-field grass. The infield express is a small train for children to enjoy as it takes you around the infield. We even walked through the bullpen, (which might not be as exciting for someone who is not interested in baseball), and to me that was one of the coolest parts because as fans we never get to see that.
Exploring Gallagher Way's Chriskindlmarket
We began our time inside Wrigley Field and then as it got darker we moved our way into the Chriskindlmarket. The first thing I noticed was the large Ferris wheel flashing colors. The next thing I noticed was the Christmas tree decked out in red and blue ornaments to celebrate the Chicago Cubs. There was so much to look at there that I didn’t know where to begin, so we decided to grab some food and look at the view as we ate.
Seasonal Treats
Both inside the ballpark and out, you can choose from the options of hot cocoa and whipped cream or hot cider. You can purchase the seasonal mug inside Wrigley or in the market including your beverage of choice and whipped cream topping. I got the mug instead of the standard cup because it featured beautiful imagery of Winterland and the Chriskindlmarket. Because we worked up an appetite walking around the field, we headed to the market to try the infamous Raclette sandwich. I did not expect to like it so much but the melted cheese, onions, ham and pickles made sense together. For a college student budget the price of it being $17 was a splurge but it was worth a try for something delicious and seasonal. Then we had some hot cider and we tasted a s’more cookie that was extremely sweet after the raclette. The cookie was good but I do not think it was worth the price of $15.
A short video reviewing the Raclette we tried at Gallagher Way's Chriskindlmarket
In the heart of winter, I embarked on a magical journey that combined the enchanting Wrigley Field Winterland with the festive charm of Chriskindlmarket in Gallagher Way. The transformation of Wrigley Field into a winter wonderland was a remarkable sight that offered a blend of holiday cheer, baseball, and classic winter fun. As a baseball enthusiast, the chance to explore the historic field in its winter setting was a unique and exciting change. The market added a delicious touch to the experience, with the standout being the Raclette sandwich. I invite readers to consider attending Wrigley Field Winterland and (next year) Chriskindlmarket, especially if they share a passion for baseball and the holiday season.
Thank you for reading about my festive adventures! Although the Chriskindlmarket is closed as this post goes up, Winterland is still open until January 7th, 2024. If you have been to Winterland this year or previous years, please write in the comments what you enjoyed most and any special memories you made in your experiences. For those who haven’t, there is still time to create magical moments so don't miss the chance to explore Winterland in its final week!
Here are the hours displayed in an image from Gallagher Way’s website:
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