'It's unfortunate': Wauwatosa Christkindlmarkt holiday market canceled for 2025 as flood recovery continues

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS58) — Last month's historic flood is having a ripple effect on upcoming holiday events. An up-and-coming Wauwatosa tradition, the Chriskindlmarkt, is canceled this year.

The city of Wauwatosa says there was flood related damage to an electrical panel that’s needed for the event.

"I was really looking forward to for the future for it to keep growing and bringing in more people," said Sabina Magyar, Village Cheese Shop Owner.

The Chriskindlmarkt was just gaining traction.

"It just started to be a really fun energy atmosphere near the holiday season," said Magyar.

President of the Wauwatosa Business District, Chris Leffler, says Discover Wauwatosa has put on the holiday event last two years.

"I think with the floods happening and disruption of businesses and the residual damage from the floods both from what's happened in hart park and harts mill lots is damaging long term," said Leffler.

According to the Wauwatosa Village BID, the Chriskindlmarkt brought in more than 19,000 people last year.

"The market has been very popular the last couple years," said Magyar.

A surge of tourism many businesses thrive on.

"People walking by and to check us out, see where we are and hopefully coming back another time," said Magyar.

Owner of the Village Cheese Shop, Sabina Magyar, says Wauwatosa is the perfect atmosphere for a European-inspired market.

"Building Wauwatosa as a destination of course we have other things, but this was something unique for Milwaukee to and it's during the holidays, which is one of our strongest times and just really building the image here," said Magyar.

While Tosa Fest earlier this month was a wild success even after flooding, The City of Wauwatosa says several of the buildings run by holiday market organizers were hit hard by flooding.

The city said in a statement, in part, "with recovery efforts underway, arranging vendors and partners in the next several months was not realistic this year."

"It's unfortunate that's it's not happening this year, but I do feel good that will be able to bring this back strong in 2026," said Leffler.

The village will still hold other season events like the Holiday Sip and Strolls, Canadian Pacific Holiday Train and Village Tree Lighting.