Center for Creative Justice | #CDM2026 Nonprofit Partner
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is pleased to partner with Center for Creative Justice, as a Nonprofit Partner
this year.
Center for Creative Justice and their team of volunteers will be assisting with Operations
Set Up on December 1, 2026 through December 2, 2026. In exchange for their participation, Iowa European Cultural Connection, the nonprofit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines, will donate $500 per 8 hour day to their organization.
The Center for Creative Justice (CCJ) is a community based, non-profit agency that offers correctional supervision and reentry services to adults with criminal justice system involvement. Established in 1974, CCJ has a long, rich history of bettering our community by providing probation services. Reentry programming was introduced in 2026. Our clients are your neighbors, employees, co-workers, friends, and possibly members of your family. CCJ helps individuals get their life back on track through rehabilitation and reentry support, which reduces crime in our community, decreases victimization, and lessens the burden on our law enforcement, jails, and courts.
Our programming has a positive ripple effect in the community that goes beyond the individuals we serve. Clients who receive treatment and stay sober, learn to manage their anger appropriately, obtain and maintain employment, take responsibility for their actions, manage their finances, and pay back victims impact the entire community. They become better partners, parents, neighbors, coworkers, and community members.
At CCJ we are dedicated to positive change in our communities… one life at a time.
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ccjiowa
Follow us on Instagram: @cciowa
Project Iowa | #CDM2026 Nonprofit Partner
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is pleased to partner with Project Iowa as a Nonprofit Partner this year.
Project Iowa and their team of volunteers will be managing a point of sale at An der Weihnachtsecke (the CDM Store) on Thursday, December 3, 2026. In exchange for their participation, the Iowa European Cultural Connection, the nonprofit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines, will donate up to $500 of electronic tips received at their point of sale to their organization.
Project Iowa believes everyone deserves the opportunity to build a meaningful, stable career. Through career coaching, workforce training, YouthWorks internships, and community partnerships, we help individuals discover their purpose, overcome barriers, and create lasting stability. Stop by to learn how we’re strengthening our community—one person at a time.
www.projectiowa.org
.
Heartland Swing Inc. | #CDM2026 Nonprofit Partner
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is pleased to partner with Heartland Swing Inc. as a Nonprofit Partner this year.
Heartland Swing Inc. and their team of volunteers will be serving Gluhwein, Kinderpunsch, & Hot Cocoa on Saturday, December 5, 2026 through Sunday, December 6, 2026. In exchange for their participation, the Iowa European Cultural Connection, the nonprofit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines, will donate up to $1500 of electronic tips received at their point of sale to their organization.
Heartland Swing is a nonprofit dedicated to building community through the joy of swing dancing. We offer monthly social dances, classes, performances, and events for everyone that celebrate the rich history of Lindy Hop and other swing-era dances. Whether you are brand new or a seasoned dancer, our goal is to create a fun, welcoming space where people can connect, learn, and share in the music and movement that brings together.
See our upcoming classes and events at HeartlandSwing.com and follow us on Facebook & Instagram @HeartlandSwing
#CDM2026 Yuletide Hall Performers Announced
Thursday, December 3, 2026
6pm – 9pm: Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen Are you ready to get your polka on? Barefoot Becky & the band, from Mt Vernon, IA, will be playing your favorite polkas and a variety of music to get your toes tapping and the gemutlichkeit flowing! PROST!
Friday, December 4, 2026
1pm – 2pm: Festival Brass Quintet is a brass quintet located in central Iowa.
2:30pm – 5:30pm: Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen Are you ready to get your polka on? Barefoot Becky & the band, from Mt Vernon, IA, will be playing your favorite polkas and a variety of music to get your toes tapping and the gemutlichkeit flowing! PROST!
6:30pm – 9pm: The Schnitzel Brothers Bier Band is a fun Oktoberfest themed polka band. There’s fun music along with lots of toasts and laughs. It’s a touch of Munich right here in Des Moines!
Saturday, December 5, 2026
11am – 12pm: Festival Brass Quintet is a brass quintet located in central Iowa.
12:40pm – 1:10pm: Foy School of Irish Dance Celebrate Irish culture with the Foy School of Irish Dance. The revelry includes delightful traditional dances and contemporary choreographed numbers that both enchant and entertain!
1:40pm – 2pm: Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss is an award winning Bavarian Dance group, founded in 1961, S.G. Edelweiß is a community organization that serves to promote the traditional music, dance, heritage and culture of Bavaria and Austria.
2:30pm – 3pm: Heartland Youth Choir is a community ensemble, ages 6-18, that focuses on singing, musical skills, and character development. We are excited to share some holiday favorites with you!
3:30pm – 4pm: Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss is an award winning Bavarian Dance group, founded in 1961, S.G. Edelweiß is a community organization that serves to promote the traditional music, dance, heritage and culture of Bavaria and Austria.
4:30pm – 5pm: Wagner Summer Theater Youth Vocal Group: Holiday traditional and pop music performed by areas top teen vocalists.
5:30pm – 5:50pm: Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss is an award winning Bavarian Dance group, founded in 1961, S.G. Edelweiß is a community organization that serves to promote the traditional music, dance, heritage and culture of Bavaria and Austria.
6:30pm – 9pm: Malek’s Fishermen Band is an old time dance band that plays European folk music, polka, waltz, schottische, and American Dance hall favorites.
Sunday, December 6, 2026
11am – 11:30am: Mackenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums of Iowa is an all-volunteer, non-profit, bagpipe and drum band located in the Des Moines, Iowa metro area. The band supports first responders, fire departments, law enforcement, and active and reserve military units. We perform at events supporting these groups, and at other local events and parades.
12pm – 12:30pm: Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss is an award winning Bavarian Dance group, founded in 1961, S.G. Edelweiß is a community organization that serves to promote the traditional music, dance, heritage and culture of Bavaria and Austria.
1pm – 1:30pm: Wagner Summer Theater Youth Vocal Group: Holiday traditional and pop music performed by areas top teen vocalists.
1:30pm – 2:30pm – Strolling: Top Hat Carolers is a local singing group that has performed holiday music for over 30 years. They sing traditional Christmas carols and contemporary holiday tunes dressed in Victorian garb.
2pm – 2:30pm: Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss is an award winning Bavarian Dance group, founded in 1961, S.G. Edelweiß is a community organization that serves to promote the traditional music, dance, heritage and culture of Bavaria and Austria.
3pm – 5pm: Metro Brass Quintet has been performing in the Des Moines metro area for more than 11 years for events of all shapes and sizes. We play high quality brass music and love to celebrate the joy of the Christmas season!
Thursday, December 10, 2026
6pm – 9pm: Stu Ryan O’Brien plays fun Irish pub and traditional songs. There’s always a wee bit of clapping, sing along and lots of laughs too! It’s like sitting in your favorite Dublin pub.
Friday, December 11, 2026
1pm – 5pm: Eddie Korosa Jr & The Boys & Girl from Illinois: German/American Oktoberfest Music & Variety. Old time Polkas/Waltzes, Chicken Dance (we give away free chicken hats), Line dances, YMCA etc.
5pm – 6pm – Strolling: Top Hat Carolers is a local singing group that has performed holiday music for over 30 years. They sing traditional Christmas carols and contemporary holiday tunes dressed in Victorian garb.
6pm – 9pm: Polka Police, an awesome polka themed rockin’ band doing parodies, covers and originals.
Saturday, December 12, 2026
11am – 11:30am: Heartland Youth Choir performs holiday and winter favorites from both popular and classical styles.
12:30pm – 1pm: Foy School of Irish Dance Celebrate Irish culture with the Foy School of Irish Dance. The revelry includes delightful traditional dances and contemporary choreographed numbers that both enchant and entertain!
2pm – 5pm: GRD-The Brueggen Family Band is an all family band from Western Wisconsin playing a variety of traditional Polka music, to Country, 50’s/60’s etc
6pm – 9pm: Mississippi Valley Dutchmen is a German Polka band.
Sunday, December 13, 2026
11am – 12pm: Betrunken Verstört specialize in polkas and bombastic brass arrangements of pop tunes and Christmas carols during the holidays.
12:40pm – 1:10pm: Foy School of Irish Dance Celebrate Irish culture with the Foy School of Irish Dance. The revelry includes delightful traditional dances and contemporary choreographed numbers that both enchant and entertain!
1:30pm – 2:30pm – Strolling: Top Hat Carolers is a local singing group that has performed holiday music for over 30 years. They sing traditional Christmas carols and contemporary holiday tunes dressed in Victorian garb.
1:40pm – 2:30pm: Wagner Summer Theater Youth Vocal Group: Holiday traditional and pop music performed by areas top teen vocalists.
3pm – 5pm: Stu Ryan O’Brien plays fun Irish pub and traditional songs. There’s always a wee bit of clapping, sing along and lots of laughs too! It’s like sitting in your favorite Dublin pub.