Category: Festivals

 We’ve reached Day 12 on our Barrington ChristKindlFest countdown. And we’re wrapping up our list of reasons not to miss the 4-day fest with reason #12, which is the fact that ChristKindlFest is the perfect place to make new family memories! Bring your cameras and your kids to the fest this weekend where you’ll find opportunities to meet St. Nickolaus in the European tradition, “jolly” Santa AND his reindeer!
To celebrate Saint Nicholas Day, the traditional Saint Nickolaus will be visiting families at ChristKindlFest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 6th. And this isn’t your ordinary St. Nick. He’s also known as Phillip Wenz and, when he’s not at ChristKindlFest, you’ll find him visiting with children at Santa’s Village.
In the German and most European cultures St. Nickolaus only appears on his saints day on the eve of Dec 5 and 6th. He only gives gifts of sweets. He does not appear any other time. Also note the attire which Phillip purchased in Europe. He even went to have it blessed in Italy.
As a four-year-old child, Phillip donned his first Santa outfit. By the time he was fourteen he was in his first parade and at the ripe old age of twenty-three, he became the year-round Santa Claus for the iconic Santa’s Village theme park in Dundee, Illinois. It is an association he has now had for nearly 30 years.…