Media Contacts: Cathy Kennedy, Cathryn Kennedy Consulting - 612-309-3951

Pam McCarthy-Kern, Cathryn Kennedy Consulting - 612-360-0647

ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 16, 2015 — The enchanting European Christmas Market will come to Union Depot’s East Plaza during the first two weekends in December, presenting a holiday festival inspired by “Christkindlmarkt,” an outdoor holiday festival common across central European countries.

The free, six-day open-air event features handmade goods from local crafters, artisans and vendors as well as authentic food offerings and drinks. Attendees will find blown-glass ornaments and artwork, holiday décor, clothing and more. Surrounded by carolers, Santa and reindeer, vendors will display their wares in an atmosphere befitting of a traditional Christmas market in Europe.

“The Market showcases traditions and flavors from European cultures to give families a delightful and diverse Christmastime experience,” said Renate Sharp, organizer of the European Christmas Market in St. Paul.

Beyond handmade goods, European-inspired foods will be served, such as traditional sausages, pretzels with mustard, goulash, gingerbread cookies and more. Beer and traditional glühwein (mulled wine) will also be available.

The European Christmas Market, now in its second year in St. Paul, will join the roster of Union Depot’s “Hub for the Holidays” events — coinciding with: Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration (Dec. 4); “North Pole Express” Holiday Train (Dec. 4-6 and Dec. 10-13); Holiday Movie Nights (Dec. 4 and Dec. 18); CP Holiday Train (Dec. 11); and Holiday Bake Sale (Dec. 12).

At a Glance: European Christmas Market at Union Depot in St. Paul

What:

European Christmas Market — a free, six-day, open-air event inspired by “Christkindlmarkt,” an outdoor holiday festival common across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other central European countries featuring handmade goods from local vendors and European-styled food and drink.

When:

2–9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4
10 a.m.–9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5
10 a.m.– 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6
2–9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11
10 a.m.–9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12
10 a.m.– 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 13

Where:

Union Depot— Outdoors on East Plaza

240 Kellogg Blvd E, St. Paul, MN 55101

Current entertainment includes:

Friday, December 4:

5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.: Mechanical Maestros

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Live reindeer

Friday, December 11:

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.: Santa

Saturday, December 5:

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: Elizabethan Syngers

4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.: Santa

Saturday, December 12:

10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: Tiny Christmas Elves (singers)

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Elizabethan Syngers

Sunday, December 6:

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Mechanical Maestros

12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.: Peer Gynt Norwegian Dancers

Sunday, December 13:

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Mechanical Maestros

Current vendors include:

Roseberry Children’s Boutique — children's items such as hand-knit sweaters, hats, mittens, hair clips, wings, tutus, and wooden and knit toys.
Lucy Iburg — hats, sweaters, mittens, bags and scarves with Scandinavian designs.
Mother Earth Gardens — compostable natural centerpieces and door décor, small winter containers of greens for porches, wreaths, ornaments, unique local and recycled gifts, cards and books.
Kettle Roasted Nuts — cinnamon roasted almonds, pecans, cashews, salted cashews and dark cocoa raspberry almonds.
Redeemed Dust Designs — wood-burned items such as spoons, rolling pins, cutting boards, recipe cardholders and more.
Teresa Ras of Gifts From Poland — mouth-blown European glass.
More vendors will be announced soon — stay clicked to www.uniondepot.or/holiday.

About UNION DEPOT...The beautifully renovated Union Depot, completed in 1926, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and certified LEED® Gold in 2014. Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority owns Union Depot which offers a full complement of transportation services including Amtrak®, Jefferson Lines, Greyhound and megabus.com. The Regional Railroad Authority is dedicated to a long-range vision that addresses changing transportation needs by preserving rail transit corridors for future transit use, studying transit options and providing transit services. JLL, under contract with the Regional Railroad Authority, is responsible for management of Union Depot and working collaboratively to establish a welcoming community gathering place at the historic landmark. For more information, go to uniondepot.org.

About European Christmas Market

The European Christmas Market, based in St. Paul, Minn., is a registered nonprofit organization that fosters European arts, revives European cultural traditions, and supports local artists and artisanal products. The event aims to engage the community in a celebration of local and global history, while sparking activity in the heart of Downtown St. Paul. Learn more at www.stpaulchristmasmarket.com.

About JLL

JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a professional services and investment management firm offering specialized real estate services to clients seeking increased value by owning, occupying and investing in real estate. A Fortune 500 company with annual fee revenue of $4.7 billion and gross revenue of $5.4 billion, JLL has more than 230 corporate offices, operates in 80 countries and has a global workforce of approximately 58,000. On behalf of its clients, the firm provides management and real estate outsourcing services for a property portfolio of 3.4 billion square feet, or 316 million square meters, and completed $118 billion in sales, acquisitions and finance transactions in 2014. Its investment management business, LaSalle Investment Management, has $57.2 billion of real estate assets under management. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit www.jll.com.

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