No doubt you, too, have noticed the rush to Christmas. With Thanksgiving as late in November as possible, people are pushing into the yuletide holiday  with a fervor like never before. Take, for example, the plethora of Christmas lights illuminating neighborhoods, even as autumn leaves continue to fall. Or, all the Santas and sleighs and snowmen sharing outdoor space with scarecrows and skeletons and sadly collapsing jack-o-lanterns. “Oh, I’m used to it,” a teen told me a couple weeks ago when I walked into a Yorkville school and saw a decorated tree in the foyer. “In my family we start putting up all the holiday things the day after Halloween.” One businessman I know decked his office halls with boughs of holly the day after the election, knowing full well the world needed peace on earth, good will towards men (and women) more than ever. And no doubt there will be a large crowd in downtown Aurora starting at 6 p.m. Friday for the Winter Lights Festival — which will include a parade, Christmas tree lighting and drone show. All of which is great news for Maren Priebe, CEO of German American Events and its Christkindlmarket, who expects brisk business starting on Friday when the Chicago and Aurora locations open. “People are in the mood,” she said. “They are ready to jump in. Considering world events, they are ready for the idea of joy and peace on earth.” And let’s face it, there’s nothing like this beloved German-style outdoor bazaar to get you into that much-needed holiday spirit. Now in its third year, Christkindlmarket Aurora has truly found a home at RiverEdge Park along the Fox River. And, it will be bigger and better than ever, Priebe promised. The more neighborhood-oriented the market is, the more ownership the community has to it, she insisted. Which is exactly what’s happened in Aurora, where visitors are not only coming from Chicago and out of state, this fun and free family event (not to mention easy parking) is being fully embraced by residents who now consider it “their very own” market. “It is,” Priebe said, “a wonderful place to show off to out-of-towners.” And there’s certainly something for people of all ages, as well as our four-legged friends — with two shops exclusively for them this year: Mushyface and Whisker Biscuits. There are, of course, the classic artisan vendors that will be on hand, such as Austrian Lodge, Puffy Houzz, Bob’s Belgian Hot Chocolate, Polish Pottery, Sweet Castle, Chiya Chai, New York Puzzle Company, Unique Touches, White Eagle Flowers and Gracie Pie Apothecary. And, Priebe seemed especially excited to see the return of Steiff, German’s most popular hand-stuffed Teddy bear company. This year’s market showcases 64 vendors, up 10 from last year, that offer incredible European sweets, meats, breads and just about anything else your taste buds could possibly crave. Also, there will be unique handmade gifts and decor, including the hand-painted and glass-blown European 2024 Christkindlmarket souvenir ornament. Expanded offerings will include a weekend trolley, additional photo opportunities and family-friendly intercultural activities, like the “Nutcracker Scavenger Hunt” and glassblowing workshops that have added a children’s session. The latter is filling fast, Priebe pointed out, as are the expanded wine-tasting sessions, which are unique to this location. Likewise, the Aurora-only “Children’s Lantern Parade” was such a big hit, it will not only be held on St. Nick’s Day Dec. 6, but again on Dec. 14. Also new: Receptions can be booked inside the heated Timber Tent, which provides a perfect location for company and family gatherings. And as always, there will be plenty of live entertainment, as well as those unique souvenir mugs especially designed by the Christkindl crew, Priebe pointed out. They include the boot-shape mug for the hot spiced wine; the nutcracker cup for  non-alcoholic drinks; and the ceramic steins for German beer. “It’s exciting to see how Kindlmarket in Aurora has evolved in just a few short years,” said RiverEdge General Manager Jim Jarvis. “Vendors love being here, and the number of vendors just keeps growing. Patrons have absolutely embraced the market and made it part of their holiday plans, as evidenced by the over quarter million people we drew law year.” The feedback also shows those visitors stay for over an hour, which can’t help but “promote additional happenings in Aurora,” added Priebe, who admitted she’s become a huge fan of all the downtown restaurants, shops and boutiques that are opening. It’s one reason she encourages out-of-towners to turn their market visit into a “staycation.” “One-hundred percent … I have seen the difference in the excitement in this city over three years,” she said. “There is so much pride in this community. It is the perfect synergy to make the holidays that much more fun and exciting.” Jarvis echoed those sentiment. “At the end of the day,” he said, “there’s not a prettier, more vibrant and fun place to be than outside at RiverEdge Park at night, with the entire place all lit for the holidays. “It takes you away from everything and makes you feel like everything in the world is just right in that moment.” [email protected]