Bravo Greater Des Moines Operating Support Grant Recipient – 2026
The organizers of Christkindlmarket Des Moines are pleased to announce the receipt of a Bravo Greater Des Moines Operating Support Grant. These funds will be used to support the operational expenses of the Iowa European Cultural Connection, the nonprofit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines.
Bravo Greater Des Moines leverages community resources to maximize the impact of arts, culture and heritage to advance regional priorities. Since 2006, Bravo has awarded more than 1,200 grants to 100+ arts, culture and heritage organizations and programs, with total funding exceeding $55 million. Bravo is almost entirely funded through Hotel/Motel taxes.
CDM2025 Day 8 – 12/14 – Last day!
Here are a few highlights for this year’s festival. Check out the schedule below or head over to the full schedule (including all demonstration times).
Last Day to pick up all your favorite Christkindlmarket Des Moines goodies!
Make sure and stop by the festival to pick up all your favorite items before it’s too late!
Sunday, December 14th – Schedule
11 am – Festival Opens
11 am – 11:15 am – Demo: Dragonflies and Cards
11 am – 1 pm – Yuletide Hall: Betruken Messing
11:30 am – 11:45 am – Demo: Twisted Sunset Sisters Fiber Mill
1 pm – 1:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Foy School of Irish Dance
1 pm – 1:30 pm – Demo: Nymph in the Woods
2 pm – 4 pm – St Nick & Christkind visit CDM
2 pm – 5 pm – Yuletide Hall: Waxies Dargle
2:15 pm – 2:30 pm – Demo: Indianola Glass Creations
3:15 pm – 3:45 pm – Demo: Quilted Gardens Nursery
4 pm – 4:15 pm – Demo: Dakota Tinworks
5 pm – Festival Closes
Get your photo taken with St. Nick and the Christkind
Saturday, December 13th: 2pm – 4pm
Sunday, December 14th: 2pm – 4pm
Volunteer at
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
There are so many different opportunities still available! Including festival and hut tear down!
Kinderkorner presented by MidAmerican Energy Foundation
11am – 5pm
Activity: Flag Voting with Stickers
Craft: Paper Chain
Activity: Passport
Activity: Photo backdrop
Craft: Coloring pages
2nd weekend ONLY vendors
These vendors will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the second weekend:
- Good Moon Pottery
- Rosemaled Creations by Maren
- Beans & Beignets
CDM2025 Day 7 – 12/13
Here are a few highlights for this year’s festival. Check out the schedule below or head over to the full schedule (including all demonstration times).
Breakfast with St Nick
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 10:30am – 11:30am
Stop by to get your picture taken with St. Nick and grab a make and take children’s activity.
Saturday, December 13th – Schedule
10:30 – 11:30 – Breakfast with St. Nick
11 am – Festival Opens
11 am – 11:15 am – Demo: Dragonflies and Cards
11:30 am – 1:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Metro Brass Quintet
1 pm – 1:15 pm – Demo: Twisted Sunset Sisters Fiber Mill
2 pm – 2:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Heartland Youth Choir
2 pm – 4 pm – St Nick & Christkind visit CDM
3 pm – 3:30 pm – Demo: Nymph in the Woods
3 pm – 4 pm – Yuletide Hall: Des Moines Festival Brass
3:45 pm – 4 pm – Demo: Indianola Glass Creations
4 pm – 4:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Wagner Summer Theater Youth Vocal Group
5 pm – 5:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Greater Des Moines Flute Choir
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm – Strolling: Top Hat Carolers
6 pm – 6:15 pm – Demo: Dakota Tinworks
6 pm – 9 pm – Yuletide Hall: The Schnitzel Brothers Bier Band
8 pm – 8:30 pm – Demo: Quilted Gardens Nursery
9 pm – Festival Closes
Get your photo taken with St. Nick and the Christkind
Saturday, December 13th: 2pm – 4pm
Sunday, December 14th: 2pm – 4pm
Volunteer at
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
There are so many different opportunities still available!
Kinderkorner presented by MidAmerican Energy Foundation
11am – 8pm
Activity: Flag Voting with Stickers
Craft: Paper Chain
Activity: Passport
Activity: Photo backdrop
Craft: Coloring pages
2nd weekend ONLY vendors
These vendors will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the second weekend:
- Good Moon Pottery
- Rosemaled Creations by Maren
- Beans & Beignets
CDM2025 Day 6 – 12/12
Here are a few highlights for this year’s festival. Check out the schedule below or head over to the full schedule (including all demonstration times).
Wandering Greens Portable Mini Golf in the Christkindlmarkettreff (NEW for 2025)
From inside a four sided tent, enjoy a Christmas themed mini golf for a fee.
Friday, December 12th – Schedule
11 am – Festival Opens
11 am – 11:15 am – Demo: Dragonflies and Cards
11:30 am – 2:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Stu Ryan O’Brien
1 pm – 1:15 pm – Demo: Twisted Sunset Sisters Fiber Mill
2 pm – 2:15 pm – Demo: Dakota Tinworks
3 pm – 6 pm – Yuletide Hall: New Jolly Germans Band
3:30 pm – 4 pm – Demo: Nymph in the Woods
6 pm – 9 pm – Yuletide Hall: Malek’s Fisherman Band
7:15 pm – 8 pm – Demo: Indianola Glass Creations
8 pm – 8:30 pm – Demo: Quilted Gardens Nursery
9 pm – Festival Closes
Volunteer at
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
There are so many different opportunities still available!
Kinderkorner presented by MidAmerican Energy Foundation
11am – 8pm
Activity: Flag Voting with Stickers
Craft: Paper Chain
Activity: Passport
Activity: Photo backdrop
Craft: Coloring pages
2nd weekend ONLY vendors
These vendors will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the second weekend:
- Good Moon Pottery
- Rosemaled Creations by Maren
- Beans & Beignets
2nd weekend ONLY performers
These performers will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the second weekend:
- Stu Ryan O’Brien Pub Band
CDM2025 Day 5 – 12/11
Here are a few highlights for this year’s festival. Check out the schedule below or head over to the full schedule (including all demonstration times).
Wandering Greens Portable Mini Golf in the Christkindlmarkettreff (NEW for 2025)
From inside a four sided tent, enjoy a Christmas themed mini golf for a fee.
Thursday, December 11th – Schedule
5 pm – Festival Opens
5 pm – 8 pm – Wandering Greens Portable Mini Golf in the Christkindlmarkettreff
5 pm – 5:15 pm – Demo: Dragonflies and Cards
6 pm – 6:15 pm – Demo: Twisted Sunset Sisters Fiber Mill
6 pm – 9 pm – Yuletide Hall: Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen
6 pm – 6:15 pm – Demo: Dakota Tinworks
6:30 pm – 7:15 pm – Demo: Nymph in the Woods
7:15 pm – 7:30 pm – Demo: Indianola Glass Creations
7:30 pm – 8 pm – Demo: Quilted Gardens Nursery
9 pm – Festival Closes
Volunteer at
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
There are so many different opportunities still available!
Kinderkorner presented by MidAmerican Energy Foundation
5pm – 8pm
Activity: Flag Voting with Stickers
Craft: Paper Chain
Activity: Passport
Activity: Photo backdrop
Craft: Coloring pages
2nd weekend ONLY vendors
These vendors will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the second weekend:
- Good Moon Pottery
- Rosemaled Creations by Maren
- Beans & Beignets
2nd weekend ONLY performers
These performers will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the second weekend:
- Stu Ryan O’Brien Pub Band
The Ultimate Guide to Week 2
Christkindlmarket Des Moines has expanded to 2 weekends in 2025. Here’s a few highlights of what is happening the second weekend, Dec 11 – 14, 2025 at Principal Park.
Thu, Dec 11, 5pm – 9pm (Kinderkorner closes at 8pm)
Fri, Dec 12, 11am – 9pm (Kinderkorner closes at 8pm)
Sat, Dec 13, 11am – 9pm (Kinderkorner closes at 8pm)
Sun, Dec 14, 11am – 5pm
Breakfast with St Nick
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 10:30am – 11:30am
Stop by to get your picture taken with St. Nick and grab a make and take children’s activity.
Get your photo taken with St. Nick and the Christkind
Saturday, December 13th: 2pm – 4pm
Sunday, December 14th: 2pm – 4pm
2nd weekend ONLY vendors
These vendors will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the second weekend:
- Good Moon Pottery
- Rosemaled Creations by Maren
- Beans & Beignets
2nd weekend ONLY performers
These performers will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the second weekend:
- Stu Ryan O’Brien Pub Band
CDM2025 Day 4 – 12/7 – Last day of the 1st weekend
Here are a few highlights for this year’s festival. Check out the schedule below or head over to the full schedule (including all demonstration times).
Nonprofit Tree Silent Auction in the Weihnachtswald presented by Siegwerk, USA
As part of CDM’s community outreach, we encourage local nonprofits to decorate a tree that will be displayed during the first weekend of Christkindlmarket Des Moines. As patron’s visit the market and marvel over the creativity of each tree, they are able to bid via Silent Auction and take home the tree with all the trimmings on Sunday, December 7th. All proceeds will go directly back to the participating nonprofits.
While we’d love to see you at the Festival, you can bid on your favorite tree online. Starting at 5pm on Thu, Dec 4 at 5pm, text ‘CDM2025’ to 843.606.5995 or visit https://event.gives/cdm2025 to bid.
Sunday, December 7th – Schedule
11 am – Festival Opens
11 am – 12 pm – Yuletide Hall: Betruken Messing
11 am – 11:15 am – Demo: Dragonflies and Cards
12 pm – 12:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Mackenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums of Iowa
12:15 pm – 12:30 pm – Demo: Indianola Glass Creations
12:30 pm – 12:50 pm – Yuletide Hall: Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss
1 pm – 1:15 pm – Demo: Twisted Sunset Sisters Fiber Mill
1:30 pm – 2 pm – Yuletide Hall: Foy School of Irish Dance
2 pm – 2:15 pm – Demo: Dakota Tinworks
2 pm – 2:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss
2 pm – 4 pm – St Nick & Christkind visit CDM
2:30 pm – 5 pm – Yuletide Hall: Waxies Dargle
3 pm – 3:30 pm – Demo: Quilted Gardens Nursery
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm – Demo: Indianola Glass Creations
4 pm – 4:15 pm – Demo: Pinicon Farm Crafts
4 pm – 4:30 pm – Demo: Nymph in the Woods
5 pm – Festival Closes
Volunteer at
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
There are so many different opportunities still available!
Kinderkorner presented by MidAmerican Energy Foundation
11am – 8pm
Activity: Flag Voting with Stickers
Craft: Paper Chain
Activity: Passport
Activity: Photo backdrop
Craft: Coloring pages
1st weekend ONLY vendors
These vendors will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
- Iowa European Cultural Connection Brat Hut
- More Polish Pottery, LLC
- Pam Hyde Pottery
- Pinicon Farm Crafts
1st weekend ONLY performers
These performers will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
- Polka Police
- New Jolly Germans Band
- S.G. Edelweiss – St. Paul
- MacKenzie Highlanders of Iowa Pipes and Drum Band
CDM2025 Day 3 – 12/6
Here are a few highlights for this year’s festival. Check out the schedule below or head over to the full schedule (including all demonstration times).
Nonprofit Tree Silent Auction in the Weihnachtswald presented by Siegwerk, USA
As part of CDM’s community outreach, we encourage local nonprofits to decorate a tree that will be displayed during the first weekend of Christkindlmarket Des Moines. As patron’s visit the market and marvel over the creativity of each tree, they are able to bid via Silent Auction and take home the tree with all the trimmings on Sunday, December 7th. All proceeds will go directly back to the participating nonprofits.
While we’d love to see you at the Festival, you can bid on your favorite tree online. Starting at 5pm on Thu, Dec 4 at 5pm, text ‘CDM2025’ to 843.606.5995 or visit https://event.gives/cdm2025 to bid.
Saturday, December 6th – Schedule
11 am – Festival Opens
11 am – 1 pm – Yuletide Hall: Metro Brass Quintet
11 am – 11:15 am – Demo: Dragonflies and Cards
1 pm – 1:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Greater Des Moines Flute Choir
1 pm – 1:15 pm – Demo: Twisted Sunset Sisters Fiber Mill
2 pm – 2:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss
2 pm – 2:15 pm – Demo: Dakota Tinworks
2 pm – 4 pm – St Nick & Christkind visit CDM
3 pm – 3:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Wagner Summer Theater Youth Vocal Group
4 pm – 4:15 pm – Demo: Pinicon Farm Crafts
4 pm – 4:30 pm – Demo: Nymph in the Woods
4 pm – 4:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss
5 pm – 5:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Heartland Youth Choir
5:30 pm – 6 pm – Yuletide Hall: Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss
6 pm – 7 pm – Strolling: Top Hat Carolers
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Krampus Parade
6:30 pm – 9 pm – Yuletide Hall: Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen
7:15 pm – 7:30 pm – Demo: Indianola Glass Creations
8 pm – 8:30 pm – Demo: Quilted Gardens Nursery
9 pm – Festival Closes
Krampuslauf (Running of the Krampi) presented by Big Grove Brewery
Join us for the Krampus parade presented by Big Grove Brewery tonight at 6:30pm.
Volunteer at
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
There are so many different opportunities still available!
Kinderkorner presented by MidAmerican Energy Foundation
11am – 8pm
Activity: Flag Voting with Stickers
Craft: Paper Chain
Activity: Passport
Activity: Photo backdrop
Craft: Coloring pages
1st weekend ONLY vendors
These vendors will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
- Iowa European Cultural Connection Brat Hut
- More Polish Pottery, LLC
- Pam Hyde Pottery
- Pinicon Farm Crafts
1st weekend ONLY performers
These performers will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
- Polka Police
- New Jolly Germans Band
- S.G. Edelweiss – St. Paul
- MacKenzie Highlanders of Iowa Pipes and Drum Band
CDM2025 Day 2 – 12/5
Here are a few highlights for this year’s festival. Check out the schedule below or head over to the full schedule (including all demonstration times).
Nonprofit Tree Silent Auction in the Weihnachtswald presented by Siegwerk, USA
As part of CDM’s community outreach, we encourage local nonprofits to decorate a tree that will be displayed during the first weekend of Christkindlmarket Des Moines. As patron’s visit the market and marvel over the creativity of each tree, they are able to bid via Silent Auction and take home the tree with all the trimmings on Sunday, December 7th. All proceeds will go directly back to the participating nonprofits.
While we’d love to see you at the Festival, you can bid on your favorite tree online. Starting at 5pm on Thu, Dec 4 at 5pm, text ‘CDM2025’ to 843.606.5995 or visit https://event.gives/cdm2025 to bid.
Friday, December 5th – Schedule
11 am – Festival Opens
11 am – 12 pm – Yuletide Hall: Des Moines Festival Brass
11 am – 11:15 am – Demo: Dragonflies and Cards
12:30 pm – 2:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Polka Police
1 pm – 1:15 pm – Demo: Twisted Sunset Sisters Fiber Mill
2 pm – 2:15 pm – Demo: Dakota Tinworks
3 pm – 5:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: New Jolly Germans Band
3 pm – 3:30 pm – Demo: Nymph in the Woods
4 pm – 4:15 pm – Demo: Pinicon Farm Crafts
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm – St Nick & Christkind visit CDM
6 pm – 6:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Opening Ceremony
6:30 pm – 9 pm – Yuletide Hall: Malek’s Fisherman Band
7 pm – 7:15 pm – Demo: Indianola Glass Creations
8 pm – 8:30 pm – Demo: Quilted Gardens Nursery
9 pm – Festival Closes
Volunteer at
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
There are so many different opportunities still available!
Kinderkorner presented by MidAmerican Energy Foundation
11am – 8pm
Activity: Flag Voting with Stickers
Craft: Paper Chain
Activity: Passport
Activity: Photo backdrop
Craft: Coloring pages
1st weekend ONLY vendors
These vendors will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
- Iowa European Cultural Connection Brat Hut
- More Polish Pottery, LLC
- Pam Hyde Pottery
- Pinicon Farm Crafts
1st weekend ONLY performers
These performers will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
- Polka Police
- New Jolly Germans Band
- S.G. Edelweiss – St. Paul
- MacKenzie Highlanders of Iowa Pipes and Drum Band
CDM2025 Day 1 – 12/4
Here are a few highlights for this year’s festival. Check out the schedule below or head over to the full schedule (including all demonstration times).
Nonprofit Tree Silent Auction in the Weihnachtswald presented by Siegwerk, USA
As part of CDM’s community outreach, we encourage local nonprofits to decorate a tree that will be displayed during the first weekend of Christkindlmarket Des Moines. As patron’s visit the market and marvel over the creativity of each tree, they are able to bid via Silent Auction and take home the tree with all the trimmings on Sunday, December 7th. All proceeds will go directly back to the participating nonprofits.
While we’d love to see you at the Festival, you can bid on your favorite tree online. Starting at 5pm on Thu, Dec 4 at 5pm, text ‘CDM2025’ to 843.606.5995 or visit https://event.gives/cdm2025 to bid.
Thursday, December 4th – Schedule
5 pm – Festival Opens
5 pm – Nonprofit Tree Silent Auction bidding opens
5 pm – 5:15 pm – Demo: Dragonflies and Cards
5:30 pm – 5:45 pm – Demo: Twisted Sunset Sisters Fiber Mill
6 pm – 9 pm – Yuletide Hall: The Schnitzel Brothers Bier Band
6 pm – 6:15 pm – Demo: Dakota Tinworks
6:30 pm – 7:15 pm – Demo: Nymph in the Woods
7 pm – 7:15 pm – Demo: Pinicon Farm Crafts
7:15 pm – 7:30 pm – Demo: Indianola Glass Creations
7:30 pm – 8 pm – Demo: Quilted Gardens Nursery
9 pm – Festival Closes
Volunteer at
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
There are so many different opportunities still available!
Kinderkorner presented by MidAmerican Energy Foundation
5pm – 8pm
Activity: Flag Voting with Stickers
Craft: Paper Chain
Activity: Passport
Activity: Photo backdrop
Craft: Coloring pages
1st weekend ONLY vendors
These vendors will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
- Iowa European Cultural Connection Brat Hut
- More Polish Pottery, LLC
- Pam Hyde Pottery
- Pinicon Farm Crafts
1st weekend ONLY performers
These performers will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
- Polka Police
- New Jolly Germans Band
- S.G. Edelweiss – St. Paul
- MacKenzie Highlanders of Iowa Pipes and Drum Band