New to #CDM2024 | We’ve moved! Just a bit further north, that is.
The festival is still at Principal Park, but the festival grounds have moved to the parking lot north of the stadium (lot #2 in the below map) for an expanded and redesigned patron experience. You’ll still be able to enjoy kids’ crafts in the KinderKorner presented by MidAmerican Energy Foundation; have a date night (or day) with some craft beer in the Biergarten, or kick back and relax with live music and a warm cup or festive mug of Glühwein (mulled, spiced wine) in Yuletide Hall.
Camp Hertko Hollow | #CDM2024 Nonprofit Partner
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is pleased to partner with Camp Hertko Hollow as a Nonprofit Partner this year.
Camp Hertko Hollow and their team of volunteers will be managing a point of sale at the Glühwein Refill area in the Biergarten on Saturday and Sunday. All cash tips placed in their tip jar at their point of sale will go directly to their organization. The Iowa European Cultural Connection, the nonprofit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines, will also make a $500 donation as part of our partnership.
Camp Hertko Hollow is dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth who have type 1 diabetes. The goals at camp are: Recreation, Education, Regulation and FUN! Campers enjoy the traditional camp activities while learning about living with diabetes. Camp focuses on fostering relationships to strengthen the T1D community.
The mission of Camp Hertko Hollow is to:
- Provide an educational and recreational camping program for Iowa’s youth between the ages of 6-17 who have diabetes.
- Promote diabetes management skills.
Help children gain independence and develop a positive attitude for controlling the disease.
Experience Christkindlmarket Des Moines at New Principal Park Location
The festival grounds move to the parking lot north of the stadium for an expanded, redesigned experience
The dates for Christkindlmarket Des Moines (CDM) 2024 have been announced by the Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC) for Dec 5 – 8 at Principal Park. With our community’s support, we’ve grown to become the second largest festival of our kind in the U.S. based on average daily attendance. Due to its continued success, #CDM2024 will continue its 4-day format with more amazing activities and 44 vendors.
“We’re excited to build upon our success from 2023 with a move to the parking lot north of the stadium for an expanded and redesigned patron experience”, Suzanne Hull the Director of Christkindlmarket Des Moines explains. “In addition, we are hosting an afterhours in our enlarged, heated, entertainment tent from 9pm – 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Our festival attendees will also enjoy expanded food options, Breakfast with St. Nick (ticketed), new vendors, dedicated Glühwein refill lines, enhanced decorative lighting and additional free surface parking.”
Since Christkindlmarket Des Moines began in 2016, this cultural experience has grown significantly. With the amazing quality and authenticity of the European traditions at CDM, it’s no surprise that it continues to grow. There is such a wide range of new and returning activities and vendors; from imported sweets and beer to traditional specialty items such as Steinbach nutcrackers and Glühwein mugs, the gift possibilities are endless.
The entertainment for this year’s festival is as impressive as the cuisine and handmade treasures offered. Yuletide Hall presented by Prairie Meadows will be home to talented musicians and performers. In addition to various music styles, attendees will enjoy performances on Saturday and Sunday from the Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss, which is the #1 award winning Bavarian Dance group in North America.
Patrons are invited to support local nonprofits by bidding on decorated trees in the Weihnachtswald (Christmas Tree Forest) presented by Siegwerk. The winning bidders can take home their trees and ornaments on Sunday at 5pm. The Kinderkorner tent presented by the MidAmerican Energy Foundation will host various children’s activities throughout the weekend.
Free surface parking is available west of Principal Park between SW 2nd St and SW 3rd St and south of W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy and in the parking lot directly west of the stadium. A map of parking options can be found on our website. https://christkindlmarketdsm.com/parking/
The festival is open to the public free of charge: Thu, Dec 5, 5pm – 9pm, Fri, Dec 6: 11am – 9pm, Sat, Dec 7: 11am – 9pm, and Sun, Dec 8: 11am – 5pm. Yuletide Hall after hours 9pm – 10pm on Friday and Saturday.
IECC is always looking for enthusiastic volunteers, sponsors, and vendors to be involved and help CDM fully encompass the European holiday spirit. Visit our website https://christkindlmarketdsm.com for more information on volunteering, vendor applications and sponsor opportunities. All volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.
Children Invited to Participate in Opening Ceremony Procession
Children are an integral component of any Christkindlmarket opening ceremony. Would your child (children) like to follow “Saint Nicholas” through Christkindlmarket Des Moines to participate in the opening ceremony?
Contact Dave Cox at [email protected] with questions and interest. We would like at most 25 children to participate.
Children and parents are invited to gather at the venue at 5:40pm on Friday, December 6, (please be on time) to receive a luminary and battery-operated candle. Please return the luminaries to a volunteer at the end of the opening ceremony if your child does not wish to take it home.
LPGA Amateurs – Des Moines, Chapter, Inc. | #CDM2024 Nonprofit Partner
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is pleased to partner with LPGA Amateurs – Des Moines, Chapter, Inc. as a Nonprofit Partner this year.
The LPGA Amateurs, Des Moines, Chapter, Inc. and their team of volunteers will be managing a point of sale at the Glühwein Tent all weekend. All cash tips placed in their tip jar at their point of sale will go directly to their organization. The Iowa European Cultural Connection, the nonprofit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines, will also make a $500 donation as part of our partnership.
The LPGA Amateur Golf Association® is a passionate, inclusive group of women made up of over 15,500+ members of all golf abilities throughout 130+ global chapters. This vibrant community connects women to learn, play and enjoy golf. We provide organized playing and learning opportunities for adults of all ages and abilities through a variety of local and national events. As a member, you are connected to thousands of other members globally and can get it all through LPGA Amateurs!. The Des Moines Chapter welcomes new members at all skill levels. For more information visit https://lpgaamateurs.com/ or email [email protected].
Breakfast with St. Nick
Get into the holiday spirit by having Breakfast with St. Nick!
- Enjoy a buffet that includes yogurt, bananas, cuties, assorted mini pastries, and juice.
- Get your photo taken with St. Nick
- Listen to St. Nick read stories
- Have fun taking selfies with seasonal photo props
- Express your artistic side with various coloring sheets
Adult ticket includes: one drink ticket, breakfast, one 2024 commemorative Glühwein mug
Child under 12 ticket includes: one drink ticket, breakfast, one Kinder mug, craft kit
Drink options: warm Glühwein (contains alcohol), beer, warm Kinderpunch, hot cocoa, water (additional drinks available for purchase)
Note:
- Christkindlmarket Des Moines opens at 11am and will not be open during Breakfast with St. Nick. We hope you stick around and enjoy the festival after breakfast!
- This is a snow or shine event. As the famous Norwegian saying goes, “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing”.
- Yuletide Hall is a four-sided, heated tent. The temperature in the tent will be at most 20 degrees warmer than the outdoor temperature.
- By purchasing a ticket, you acknowledge that your image or likeness may be used in future marketing.
Community Hand Up | #CDM2024 Nonprofit Partner
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is pleased to partner with Community Hand Up as a Nonprofit Partner this year.
Community Hand Up and their team of volunteers will be managing a point of sale at the Glühwein Tent on Thursday and Friday and at An der Weihnachtsecke (the CDM Store) on Saturday and Sunday. All cash tips placed in their tip jar at their point of sale will go directly to their organization. The Iowa European Cultural Connection, the nonprofit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines, will also make a $1000 donation as part of our partnership.
Our Mission
Empowering the future financial security of people whose income is above the poverty line and below middle-class financial security by providing financial education, mentoring and emergency services.
Our Vision
For everyone to be completely self sufficient
Mackenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums | #CDM2024 Performer
Tell us about your group
“The band was founded by Thomas S Coulson, a distinguished piper, who served during World War II, as a pipe major with the Essex Scottish 4th Brigade of Canada and as a piper in the Seaforth Highlanders,” explains Dawn Baldwin, the organization’s representative.
“He moved to Newton, Iowa and founded the Mackenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums about the mid ’70’s. We are a paramilitary pipe and drum band and our uniforms are steeped in traditional attire worn both on Scottish and American soil. Our tartan is Ancient Mackenzie.”
The Mackenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums, currently 11 members in size, represent the Greater Des Moines, Iowa metro area. Their primary mission is to support Active and Reserve Military Units, Law Enforcement Agencies and Fire Departments and regularly perform at the events that support these agencies.
What are you most looking forward to at Christkindlmarket Des Moines?
We’re really looking forward performing at the Christkindlmarket. It’s a fun, unique family event, and we’re looking forward to seeing the smiling faces again.
What’s your favorite thing about performing at events like this?
The volunteers, facilities, location is top notch. We’re very honored to play at this event.
If you’re interested in learning to play please visit our web site http://mackenziepipesanddrums.com or find us on Facebook.
CDM 2024 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participation Now Open!
August 13th marks the opening of our Silent Auction Christmas Tree Participation Application. We invite Iowa non-profit organizations to fill out our application form to secure one of twelve trees available to decorate and auction at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024. Applications will remain open through September or until all 12 trees have been claimed.
As part of CDM’s community outreach, we encourage local non-profit organizations to decorate a tree that will be displayed through the duration of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024. As patron’s visit the market and marvel over the creativity of each tree, they are able to bid via a Silent Auction and take home the tree with all the trimmings when the event ends Sunday, December 8th. All proceeds will go directly back to the participating non-profits.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please follow the link below:
Christkindlmarket Non-Profit Silent Auction Participation Form
Please send any questions to Missy Mootz, CDM Silent Auction Site Leader at [email protected].
* Cut trees are not perfect and will have a tendency to lean. We will present the trees in the most positive way given our circumstances. Please manage your expectations accordingly.
