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• Weihnachtsmarkt 2025

  • Start
    Saturday, December 13, 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM
  • End
    Sunday, December 14, 2025
  •  
    5:00 PM
  • Location
    DANK Haus Ballroom, 5th Floor

  Register

  Weihnachtsmarkt | Indoor Christmas Market
  december 13-14 from 11-5 PM | 5th Floor, Marunde Ballroom

  
  

  Come join us for a warm indoor Weihnachtsmarkt with German-inspired Christmas shopping, Glühwein, food, music and more!

  Our Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) takes place on Saturday, December 13th AND Sunday, December 14th from 11:00am to 5:00pm. We will have German food and drink for sale as you stroll through rows of festive stands. This is a great holiday event for families and children of all ages. Our Haus will be decorated in beautiful holiday splendor, a perfect back drop for your own cherished memories.

  Bring your youngest children for a special visit with Santa in our ballroom. Admission to the market will be a suggested $5 donation at the door. All proceeds from the event will support cultural and educational programming at the DANK Haus.

  
  

  Doors Open - 11:00 AM with Shopping, Food & Drinks until 5:00 PM

  Pictures with Santa: 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

  Discover the German Imprint on American Christmas! Saturday & Sunday from 1:00 PM-3:00 PM

  Join our local historian Mike Haas for a festive and fascinating look at how German traditions shaped the American holiday season from Christmas trees to Santa, cookies, music, and more!

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Interested in being a vendor? Submit the vendor application by following the link below:

  Apply to be a vendor

  Visit the DANK Haus at 4740 N. Western Ave. Chicago IL, located just one block west of the Western Brown Line for all of your Christmas cheer!

  Questions? Contact samantha@dankhaus.com

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• The German Imprint on American Christmas | In-Person Presentation on Dec. 13

  • When
    Saturday, December 13, 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N Western Avenue
  • Spaces left
    38

  Register

  
  

  The German Imprint on American Christmas | Presented by Mike Haas

  Christmas — or Weihnachten — is Germany’s most beloved holiday, and America’s too! What many Americans don’t realize is just how deeply German immigrants have shaped the way we celebrate the season.

  From the Christmas tree to Santa Claus, from mistletoe and gingerbread houses to Nutcrackers and Advent calendars, so many of our favorite traditions have German origins. Even our cherished Christmas music from Handel’s Messiah to O Tannenbaum to Silent Night carries the spirit of that heritage. And who could forget A Charlie Brown Christmas or the joyful Christmas markets that now brighten towns across the United States?

  Join us for an insightful and festive presentation exploring the stories behind these beloved traditions. Whether you come to learn, share, or simply celebrate, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation of the German influence on America’s most cherished holiday.

  Can't make it to the in-person presentation? Join our online presentation here which will be held December 18th from 7-8:30 pm!

  Be sure to check out our Weihnachtsmarkt, our Indoor Christmas Market, that'll be in-Haus this weekend too from 11 AM - 5 PM on both Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14 too! Check out our incredible vendors and warm up with a cup of hot cocoa or mulled wine!

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• The German Imprint on American Christmas | In-Person Presentation on Dec. 14

  • When
    Sunday, December 14, 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N Western Avenue
  • Spaces left
    50

  Register

  
  

  The German Imprint on American Christmas | Presented by Mike Haas

  Christmas — or Weihnachten — is Germany’s most beloved holiday, and America’s too! What many Americans don’t realize is just how deeply German immigrants have shaped the way we celebrate the season.

  From the Christmas tree to Santa Claus, from mistletoe and gingerbread houses to Nutcrackers and Advent calendars, so many of our favorite traditions have German origins. Even our cherished Christmas music from Handel’s Messiah to O Tannenbaum to Silent Night carries the spirit of that heritage. And who could forget A Charlie Brown Christmas or the joyful Christmas markets that now brighten towns across the United States?

  Join us for an insightful and festive presentation exploring the stories behind these beloved traditions. Whether you come to learn, share, or simply celebrate, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation of the German influence on America’s most cherished holiday.

  Can't make it to the in-person presentation? Join our online presentation here which will be held December 18th from 7-8:30 pm!

  Be sure to check out our Weihnachtsmarkt, our Indoor Christmas Market, that'll be in-Haus this weekend too from 11 AM - 5 PM on both Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14 too! Check out our incredible vendors and warm up with a cup of hot cocoa or mulled wine!

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• The German Imprint on American Christmas | Online Presentation

  • When
    Thursday, December 18, 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N Western Avenue
  • Spaces left
    43

  Register

  The German Imprint on American Christmas | Presented by Mike Haas

  Discover the German Roots of an American Christmas — Online!

  Christmas or Weihnachten is Germany’s most beloved holiday, and America’s too! What many Americans don’t realize is just how deeply German immigrants have shaped the way we celebrate the season.

  From the Christmas tree to Santa Claus, from mistletoe and gingerbread houses to Nutcrackers and Advent calendars, so many cherished traditions trace back to Germany. Even many cherished Christmas music — from Handel’s Messiah to O Tannenbaum to Silent Night — carries the spirit of that heritage. And who could forget A Charlie Brown Christmas or the festive Christmas markets now lighting up towns across the United States?

  Join us online for an engaging and festive virtual presentation exploring the stories behind these beloved traditions. Whether you log in to learn, share, or simply celebrate, you’ll come away with a deeper appreciation of the German influence on America’s most cherished holiday.

  Can't make it to the online presentation? Join our in-person presentation at the DANK Haus here which will be held December 18th from 7-8:30 pm!

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• Weihnachtsfeier | Christmas Stammtisch Open Haus

  • When
    Friday, December 19, 2025
  •  
    7:30 PM - 11:30 PM
  • Location
    DANK Haus Brauhaus Room, 2nd Floor

  Register

  
  

  Weihnachtsfeier | Christmas Stammtisch Open Haus

  2nd Floor Brauhaus Room
  

  Friday | December 19th | 7:30 PM

  Come and join us as we celebrate an early Weihnachten at the Haus! This is our annual Christmas party for our volunteers, friends and supporters, and the public alike! Cozy up beside the Christmas Tree with Glühwein, cookies and cakes and sing along with Christmas songs. We encourage guests to bring a wrapped gift for our gift raffle. 

   Doors open at 7:30 PM! Bring your Christmas cheer (and your ugly Christmas sweaters) to the DANK Haus, and join us in our celebration of the holidays!

  
  

  
  

  Free parking at 5/3 Bank after 6:00 PM located at Western and Gunnison

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• DANK Haus Closed

  • Start
    Sunday, December 21, 2025
  • End
    Sunday, December 27, 2026
  • Schedule
    58 sessions

  DANK Haus is Closed Today

  Please reach out to contact@dankhaus.com with any questions

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• Kino, Kaffee und Kuchen

  • Start
    Saturday, January 10, 2026
  •  
  • End
    Saturday, December 05, 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    37 sessions
  • Location
    DANK Haus 2nd Floor, Zimmer 206

  Register

  

  KINO, KAFFEE UND KUCHEN 

  Saturdays at the DANK Haus in Brauhaus Room
  10:30 - 11:00 AM | Kaffee und Kuchen

  11:00 AM | Feature Film Begins

  
  

  Join us each Saturday at the DANK Haus for Kaffee, Kuchen, und Kino. Each week guests will choose the film they want to watch

  DANK Members: $5 | Non-Members: $7

  
  

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• The World of the Brothers Grimm | In-Person Presentation

  • When
    Thursday, January 22, 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N Western Avenue
  • Spaces left
    47

  Register

  
  

  The World of the Brothers Grimm 

  Presented by Mike Haas

  If at its core Kultur can be defined as what a people choose to pass on to their children, the folklore of the Brothers Grimm might be said to represent a rich tapestry of the German people's distinct, cultural memory.

  This in-person presentation will explore the times in which this folklore was first collected and published. As the Grimms were part and parcel of the Romanticist movement of the early 19th century, their interpretations of the tales they collected might be seen not only as a reaction to Enlightenment rationalism but also in support of an early nationalist movement seeking to promote a "German" consciousness based on the authentic voices of a common folk bound together by language and and tradition. 

  Join us then as we take a closer look at the historical and cultural context behind the enchanted folklore of the Brothers Grimm.

  Can't make it to the in-person presentation? Join us instead for the online presentation from the comfort of your own home on February 5th from 7 - 8:30 PM!

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• The World of the Brothers Grimm | Online Presentation

  • When
    Thursday, February 05, 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N Western Avenue
  • Spaces left
    50

  Register

  
  

  `The World of the Brothers Grimm 

  Presented by Mike Haas

  If at its core Kultur can be defined as what a people choose to pass on to their children, the folklore of the Brothers Grimm might be said to represent a rich tapestry of the German people's distinct, cultural memory.

  This online presentation will explore the times in which this folklore was first collected and published. As the Grimms were part and parcel of the Romanticist movement of the early 19th century, their interpretations of the tales they collected might be seen not only as a reaction to Enlightenment rationalism but also in support of an early nationalist movement seeking to promote a "German" consciousness based on the authentic voices of a common folk bound together by language and and tradition. 

  Join us then as we take a closer look at the historical and cultural context behind the enchanted folklore of the Brothers Grimm.
  

  Can't make it to the online presentation? Join us instead for the in-person presentation at the DANK Haus on January 22nd from 7 PM - 8:30 PM!

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• Annual Gala 2026

  • When
    Saturday, May 16, 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
  • Location
    DANK Haus, 5th Floor Marunde Ballroom

  Save the Date
  Annual Gala

  Saturday, May 16th | 6:00-11:00 PM

  
  

  Learn More | Get Tickets

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• DANK Haus Oktoberfest 2026

  • When
    Saturday, September 19, 2026
  •  
    6:30 PM - 11:30 PM
  • Location
    DANK Haus Marunde Ballroom, 5th Floor

  

  Chicago's Most Authentic Oktoberfest - at the DANK Haus! 

  ❤️ Why It Matters ❤️

  When you raise a stein at our DANK Haus Oktoberfest, you are doing more than celebrating-- you are giving back. Every brat, every stein, and every ticket helps fund our non-profit mission to preserve German culture, language, and traditions while supporting programs and events that enrich the Chicago community. 

  For years, the DANK Haus German American Cultural Center has been home to Chicago's most authentic Oktoberfest! Join us in our historic Marunde Ballroom on Saturday, September 19th from 6:30 PM to 11:30 PM for a night filled with tradition, community, and gemütlichkeit. 

  Brats, Leberkäse & Bavarian Bites
  From hearty Leberkäse dinners with sauerkraut & potato salad to juicy bratwursts, smoky Thüringer, and Halbes Hendl (1/2 chicken) — plus sweet treats like delicious Apfelstrudel and Bienenstich. Every bite is the real deal, made to keep you fueled for the fest!

  Steins, Sips & German Spirits
  Raise your glass with authentic imports: Hofbräu Oktoberfest, Würzburger Hofbräu, Julius Echter Weissbier, Stiegl Radler, and Bitburger NA options. Not into beer? Enjoy a selection of German red and white wine, Aval Blanc cider, or a round of schnapps to keep the night spirited!

  Musik & Entertainment 

  To Be Announced

  Festive Fun & Friendly Competition

  Celebrate Oktoberfest with high-energy Bavarian games like our famous Yodeling Contest and Stein-Holding Challenge! Dance to lively German tunes, cheer on friends, and join in the excitement of the ceremonial keg tapping!

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Doors open at 6:30 PM.

  Online RSVP is not required, but greatly appreciated. This helps us get an idea of how many people will be attending and helps us to plan accordingly. Walk-ins are always accepted!

  Free parking at 5/3 Bank after 6:00 PM located at Western and Gunnison

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