Since the first Christkindlmarket took place in Munich in 1310, these community experiences have expanded throughout the world, providing a sense of wonder and charm to adults and children.
With the support of the Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC), formerly Des Moines European Heritage Association, and other cultural organizations, we hope to grow Christkindlmarket Des Moines to become one of the most popular winter attractions in the Midwest.
Organizational Timeline | Click to jump to a year
As a member of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute’s 2013 Community Leadership Program, Suzanne Hull worked with a team to present a project to the class that would help Des Moines grow culturally and artistically: a Christkindlmarket.
L:R Suzanne Hull, Grant Johnson, Jacque Mohs, Angela Jiskoot, Ben Bruns
In January 2014, Suzanne called a meeting of Stammtisch – Des Moines German Club which she founded in 2009. In August 2014, founding members began working with interns at the Neal & Bea Smith Legal Clinic at Drake University to write by-laws for Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA).
Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) Internal Operations
October 27 – filed Articles of Incorporation as a Nonprofit Corporation with the State of Iowa.
DMEHA received its tax-exempt status in January 2015. In September that year, they received approval from the City of Des Moines to produce Christkindlmarket Des Moines in 2016.
Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) Internal Operations
January 10 – finalized By-Laws with the help of law students at Drake Law School Legal Clinic, Neal & Bea Smith Law Center.
January 15 – DMEHA received EIN number and 501c3 tax-exempt status from the IRS.
Suzanne Hull volunteers as DMEHA Executive Director and CDM Festival Director.
DMEHA produced the first ever Christkindlmarket Des Moines in downtown Des Moines.
CDM By The Numbers
Number of Days Open: 3
Number of Hours Open: 26
Total Attendance: 25,000
Average Daily Attendance: 8,333
Average Hourly Attendance: 962
Pints of Beer Sold: 1,184
Mugs of Glühwein Sold: 2,076
Mugs of Kinderpunsch Sold: 867
Number of Grants Received: 3
Number of Cash Sponsors: 19
Number of In-Kind Sponsors/Partners: 9
Vendors
- Total: 16
- Wooden Vendor Huts: 7
- Demonstration Tents: 4
- Food trucks/trailers: 3
- DMEHA Vendors: 2
Entertainment
Number of Yuletide Hall Performance Groups: 16
Hours of Yuletide Hall Entertainment: 21.5
Volunteers
CDM Site Leaders and Lead Volunteers (volunteer year-round to plan CDM): 11
Shift Volunteers: 162
Shift Volunteer Shifts Filled: 239
Shift Volunteer Hours Served: 713.5
Huts and Festival Structures
- Total Structures: 21
- New Festival Structures
- 1 Kinderkorner
- 1 Outdoor Stage
- 1 Volunteer Tent
- 1 Iowa Beer Bus
- 1 Christmas Tree
Special Events
Opening Ceremony. Emcee: Suzanne Hull, Festival Director
Other New Initiatives
The inaugural Christkindlmarket Des Moines Grand Opening – Thanks to hundreds of volunteers, vendors, sponsors and advocates who believed in this annual cultural experience.
Community Engagement
Introduced our Nonprofit Tree Silent Auction that invites local nonprofits to decorate a tree that is displayed during Christkindlmarket Des Moines. As patrons visit the market, they can bid via Silent Auction and take home the tree with all the trimmings. All proceeds go directly back to the participating nonprofits.
Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) Internal Operations
Suzanne Hull volunteers as DMEHA Executive Director and CDM Festival Director
First Christkindlmarket Des Moines at Cowles Commons
CDM By The Numbers
Number of Days Open: 3
Number of Hours Open: 26
Total Attendance: 40,000
Average Daily Attendance: 13,333
Average Hourly Attendance: 1,538
Pints of Beer Sold: 3,741
Mugs of Glühwein Sold: 4,441
Mugs of Kinderpunsch Sold: 1,198
Number of Grants Received: 2
Number of Cash Sponsors: 7
Number of In-Kind Sponsors/Partners: 10
Vendors
- Total: 26
- Wooden Vendor Huts: 14
- Demonstration Tents: 5
- Food trucks/trailers: 4
- DMEHA Vendors: 3
Entertainment
Number of Yuletide Hall Performance Groups: 12
Hours of Yuletide Hall Entertainment: 20
Volunteers
CDM Site Leaders and Lead Volunteers (volunteer year-round to plan CDM): 14
Shift Volunteers: 155
Shift Volunteer Shifts Filled: 291
Shift Volunteer Hours Served: 736.5
Huts and Festival Structures
Total Structures: 30
- New Festival Structures
- 7 Huts
- 1 Yuletide Hall (heated entertainment tent)
- 1 An der Weihnachtsecke (CDM Store)
- 1 Outdoor stage for opening ceremony
- 1 ATM
Special Events
European Cultural Meetup in Yuletide Hall
Opening Ceremony. Emcee: Suzanne Hull, Festival Director
Other New Initiatives
CDM Bingo Card
Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) Internal Operations
Suzanne Hull hired as part-time CDM Festival Director (contractor) and continues as volunteer part-time DMEHA Executive Director
Worked with Lessing Flynn to develop a new logo
The inaugural heated entertainment tent, Yuletide Hall
CDM By The Numbers
Number of Days Open: 3
Number of Hours Open: 26
Total Attendance: 30,000
Average Daily Attendance: 10,000
Average Hourly Attendance: 1,154
Pints of Beer Sold: 1,907
Number of Brats Sold: 940
Mugs of Glühwein Sold: 2,657
Mugs of Kinderpunsch Sold: 786
Number of Grants Received: 3
Number of Cash Sponsors: 8
Number of In-Kind Sponsors/Partners: 10
Vendors
- Total: 32
- Wooden Vendor Huts: 14
- Demonstration Tents: 6
- Food trucks/trailers: 8
- DMEHA Vendors: 4
Entertainment
Number of Yuletide Hall Performance Groups: 12
Hours of Yuletide Hall Entertainment: 30.25
Volunteers
CDM Site Leaders and Lead Volunteers (volunteer year-round to plan CDM): 18
Shift Volunteers: 212
Shift Volunteer Shifts Filled: 302
Shift Volunteer Hours Served: 855.5
Huts and Festival Structures
- Total Structures: 40
Special Events
European Cultural Meetup in Yuletide Hall
Opening Ceremony. Emcee: Suzanne Hull, Festival Director
Other New Initiatives
Expanded Festival Grounds to include Walnut Street
Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) Internal Operations
Suzanne Hull serves as part-time CDM Festival Director (contractor) and volunteer part-time DMEHA Executive Director
The Festival expanded to Walnut St, south of Cowles Commons
CDM By The Numbers
Number of Days Open: 3
Number of Hours Open: 30
Total Attendance: 50,000
Average Daily Attendance: 12,500
Average Hourly Attendance: 1,667
Pints of Beer Sold: 2,644
Number of Brats Sold: 1,918
Number of Glühwein Mugs Sold: 1,529
Mugs of Glühwein Sold: 3,958
Mugs of Kinderpunsch Sold: 1,120
Number of Grants Received: 1
Number of Cash Sponsors: 6
Number of In-Kind Sponsors/Partners: 7
Vendors
- Total: 30
- Wooden Vendor Huts: 15
- Demonstration Tents: 6
- Food trucks/trailers: 5
- DMEHA Vendors: 4
Entertainment
Number of Yuletide Hall Performance Groups: 15
Hours of Yuletide Hall Entertainment: 21
Volunteers
CDM Site Leaders and Lead Volunteers (volunteer year-round to plan CDM): 21
Shift Volunteers: 170
Shift Volunteer Shifts Filled: 260
Shift Volunteer Hours Served: 687.5
Huts and Festival Structures
- Total Structures: 41
- New Festival Structures
- 1 Hut
- 1 Office Trailer
- 1 Glühwein Tent
- 1 Weihnachtswald (Christmas Tree Forest)
Special Events
Krampus Parade
European Cultural Meetup in Yuletide Hall
Hosted ticketed “Twas the Night before CDM” on Thursday night
Opening Ceremony. Emcee: Suzanne Hull, Festival Director
Other New Initiatives
Moved the Festival Grounds from Cowles Commons to Principal Park’s Main Lot
Christkind Scholarship Program
Implemented the Bratwurst Imbiß am Markt (DMEHA’s brat stand)
Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) Internal Operations
Suzanne Hull serves as part-time CDM Festival Director (contractor) and volunteer part-time DMEHA Executive Director
Christkindlmarket Des Moines moves to a larger venue at Principal Park
CDM By The Numbers
Hosted “CDM Curbside” where patrons could purchase products online from various vendors and pick them up at a drive through market.
Number of Glühwein Mugs Sold: 288
Number of Days Online Marketplace Open: 33
Total Online Orders: 307
Vendors
- Total: 26
Volunteers
CDM Site Leaders and Lead Volunteers (volunteer year-round to plan CDM): 20
Shift Volunteers: 93
Shift Volunteer Shifts Filled: 235
Shift Volunteer Hours Served: 517.5
Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) Internal Operations
Suzanne Hull serves as part-time CDM Festival Director (contractor) and volunteer part-time DMEHA Executive Director
Festival organizers host a drive through experience to support local Vendors
CDM By The Numbers
Number of Days Open: 4
Number of Hours Open: 30
Total Attendance: 65,000
Average Daily Attendance: 16,250
Average Hourly Attendance: 2,167
Pints of Beer Sold: 2,976
Number of Brats Sold: 2,182
Number of Glühwein Mugs Sold: 2,823
Mugs of Glühwein Sold: 5,253
Mugs of Kinderpunsch Sold: 1,921
Number of Grants Received: 2
Number of Cash Sponsors: 9
Number of In-Kind Sponsors/Partners: 9
Vendors
- Total: 32
- Wooden Vendor Huts: 17
- Demonstration Tents: 7
- Food trucks/trailers: 4
- IECC Vendors: 4
Entertainment
Number of Yuletide Hall Performance Groups: 11
Hours of Yuletide Hall Entertainment: 22
Volunteers
CDM Site Leaders and Lead Volunteers (volunteer year-round to plan CDM): 22
Shift Volunteers: 195
Shift Volunteer Shifts Filled: 383
Shift Volunteer Hours Served: 983.4
Huts and Festival Structures
- Total Structures: 38
- New Festival Structures
- 2 Huts
- 1 Beverage Tent
- 1 Biergarten Tent
Special Events
Krampus Parade
European Cultural Meetup in Yuletide Hall
Opening Ceremony. Emcee: Suzanne Hull, Festival Director
Other New Initiatives
Expanded Festival duration to four days
Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) Internal Operations
DMEHA changes its name to the Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC) and implements full rebrand.
Suzanne Hull serves as part-time CDM Festival Director (contractor) and volunteer part-time IECC Executive Director
Krampus makes its first appearance
CDM By The Numbers
Number of Days Open: 4
Number of Hours Open: 30
Total Attendance: 70,000
Average Daily Attendance: 17,500
Average Hourly Attendance: 2,333
Pints of Beer Sold: 2,925
Number of Brats Sold: 1,926
Number of Glühwein Mugs Sold: 3,541
Mugs of Glühwein Sold: 5,692
Mugs of Kinderpunsch Sold: 2,281
Number of Grants Received: 3
Number of Cash Sponsors: 19
Number of In-Kind Sponsors/Partners: 6
Vendors
- Total: 38
- Wooden Vendor Huts: 17
- Demonstration Tents: 8
- Food trucks/trailers: 9
- IECC Vendors: 4
Entertainment
Number of Yuletide Hall Performance Groups: 14
Hours of Yuletide Hall Entertainment: 23
Volunteers
CDM Site Leaders and Lead Volunteers (volunteer year-round to plan CDM): 26
Shift Volunteers: 281
Shift Volunteer Shifts Filled: 491
Shift Volunteer Hours Served: 1251.7
Huts and Festival Structures
- Total Structures: 47
- New Festival Structures
- 1 Reindeer/Sleigh Photo Opportunity
- 2 Storage Pods
Special Events
Krampus Parade
Opening Ceremony. Emcee: Greg Edwards, President/CEO at Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau (Catch Des Moines)
Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC) Internal Operations
Suzanne Hull is hired as part-time IECC Executive Director (contractor) and continues to serve as part-time CDM Festival Director (contractor)
Des Moines European Heritage Association rebrands as the Iowa European Cultural Connection
CDM By The Numbers
Number of Days Open: 4
Number of Days Open: 4
Number of Hours Open: 30
Total Attendance: 80,000
Average Daily Attendance: 20,000
Average Hourly Attendance: 2,667
Pints of Beer Sold: 4,212
Number of Glühwein Mugs Sold: 5,010
Mugs of Glühwein Sold: 6,082
Mugs of Kinderpunsch Sold: 1,997
Mugs of Coffee Sold: 190
Mugs of Hot Cocoa Sold: 2,011
Nonprofit Partnership Program Participants: 3
Number of Grants Received: 1
Number of Cash Sponsors: 18
Number of In-Kind Sponsors/Partners: 6
Vendors
- Total: 40
- Wooden Vendor Huts: 20Demonstration Tents: 6Food trucks/trailers: 11
- IECC Vendors: 3
Entertainment
Number of Yuletide Hall Performance Groups: 12
Hours of Yuletide Hall Entertainment: 21
Volunteers
CDM Site Leaders and Lead Volunteers (volunteer year-round to plan CDM): 23
Shift Volunteers: 260
Shift Volunteer Shifts Filled: 435
Shift Volunteer Hours Served: 1117
Huts and Festival Structures
- Total Structures: 51
- New Festival Structures
- 3 Huts
- 1 Refrigerated Truck
Special Events
Krampus Parade
Opening Ceremony. Emcee: Jackie Schmillen, Iowa National Guard
Other New Initiatives
Launched our Nonprofit Partnership Program which allows local nonprofits to choose from both pre- and post-Festival volunteer opportunities as a fundraiser for their organization.
New Drink: Hot Cocoa
Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC) Internal Operations
Suzanne Hull continues to serve as part-time IECC Executive Director (contractor) and as part-time CDM Festival Director (contractor)
IECC receives a trademark from the US Patent and Trademark Office for the Christkindlmarket Des Moines Logo.
CDM launches its Nonprofit Partnership Program which allows local nonprofits
to choose from both pre- and post-Festival volunteer opportunities
as a fundraiser for their organization. Pictured: Des Moines Refugee Support
CDM By The Numbers
Number of Days Open: 4
Number of Hours Open: 30
Total Attendance: 90,000
Average Daily Attendance: 22,500
Average Hourly Attendance: 3,000
Pints of Beer Sold: 5,020
Number of Glühwein Mugs Sold: 6,272
Mugs of Glühwein Sold: 6,711
Mugs of Kinderpunsch Sold: 2,849
Mugs of Hot Cocoa Sold: 3,726
Mugs of Eggnog Sold: 414
Nonprofit Partnership Program Participants: 9
Number of Grants Received: 1
Number of Cash Sponsors: 16
Number of In-Kind Sponsors/Partners: 5
Vendors
- Total: 44
- Wooden Vendor Huts: 23Demonstration Tents: 6Food trucks/trailers: 12
- IECC Vendors: 3
Entertainment
Number of Yuletide Hall Performance Groups: 14
Hours of Yuletide Hall Entertainment: 21
Volunteers
CDM Site Leaders and Lead Volunteers (volunteer year-round to plan CDM): 29
Shift Volunteers: 230
Shift Volunteer Shifts Filled: 393
Shift Volunteer Hours Served: 1028.1
Huts and Festival Structures
- Total Structures: 52
- New Festival Structures
- 3 Huts
- 1 Refrigerated Truck
Special Events
Krampus Parade
Opening Ceremony. Emcee: Julie Stewart, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Prairie Meadows
Other New Initiatives
Moved the Festival Grounds from Principal Park’s Main Lot to Principal Park’s North Lot
New Drink: Lebkuchen Eierlikör (Gingerbread Eggnog)
Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC) Internal Operations
Suzanne Hull continues to serve as part-time IECC Executive Director (contractor) and as part-time CDM Festival Director (contractor)
IECC receives a trademark from the US Patent and Trademark Office for the Christkindlmarket Des Moines Name.
Festival with the highest attendance!
CDM By The Numbers
Number of Days Open: 8 (expanded the festival from one to two weekends)
Number of Hours Open: 55 (2nd Sat: closed 3 hours early due to weather, 2nd Sun: started one hour late and closed one hour early due to weather)
Total Attendance: 90,000
Average Daily Attendance: 11,250
Average Hourly Attendance: 1,636
Pints of Beer Sold: 3,431
Number of Glühwein Mugs Sold: 8,607
Mugs of Glühwein Sold: 6,862
Mugs of Kinderpunsch Sold: 2,677
Mugs of Hot Cocoa Sold: 5,418
Nonprofit Partnership Program Participants: 15
Number of Grants Received: 1
Number of Cash Sponsors: 16
Number of In-Kind Sponsors/Partners: 5
Vendors
- Total: 46
- Wooden Vendor Huts: 23Demonstration Tents: 7Food trucks/trailers: 10
- IECC Vendors: 4
Entertainment
Number of Yuletide Hall Performance Groups: 17
Hours of Yuletide Hall Entertainment: 49.5
Volunteers
CDM Site Leaders and Lead Volunteers (volunteer year-round to plan CDM): 32
Shift Volunteers: 336
Shift Volunteer Shifts Filled: 616
Shift Volunteer Hours Served: 1605.6
Huts and Festival Structures
- Total Structures: 52
- New Festival Structures
- 1 Storage Pod
- CDM2025 illuminated photo opportunity
Special Events
Krampus Parade
Opening Ceremony. Emcee: Sally Dix, President, Bravo Greater Des Moines
Other New Initiatives
Christkindlmarkettreff – second weekend tent used for Breakfast with St. nick, a pop-up vendor and miniature golf
Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC) Internal Operations
Suzanne Hull continues to serve as part-time IECC Executive Director (contractor) and part-time CDM Festival Director (contractor)
Abby Kessler hired as part-time CDM Assistant Festival Director (contractor)
Successfully expanded to two weekends while experiencing the
most snow, ice and wind ever. Photo Credit: Fritz Toffee Company
Meet The Team
Operations, Volunteer Relations, Vendors, An der Weihnachtsecke, KinderKorner, Nonprofit Tree Silent Auction
Nicole Waterman
Beverages
Scott Girdler
Beverages, Huts
Nick Medhurst
Bratwurst Imbiss am Markt
Mike King
Operations, Volunteer Relations
Lisa Bourne
Operations
Kim Shaffer
Operations
Joyce Whipps
Vendors
Joy Bell
Huts
John Hull
An der Weihnachtsecke
Erin Baldwin
Bratwurst Imbiss am Markt
Curt Jackson
Beverages
Carol Freeman
Beverages, Operations
Betty Baum-Ferree
Yuletide Hall
Krista Maeder
Bratwurst Imbiss am Markt, An der Weihnachtsecke
Toni Holmes
Yuletide Hall
Nathan Wagner
Operations, Vendors
Beth Grabau
Beverages
Kelsey Chaves White
Volunteers
Claire Yocom
Beverages, Vendors
Sable Joseph
An der Weihnachtsecke
Kayla Garvin
Vendors
Tammera Pierson
Volunteers
Margaret Townsend
Kinderkorner
Mackenzie Dierks
Assistant Festival Director, Operations
Abby Kessler
Kinderkorner
Tasha Jackson
Nonprofit Trees
Missy Mootz
Beverages
Dave Cox
Festival Director
Suzanne Hull
Our Sponsors
Many thanks to our sponsors for their support of Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Be sure to visit their websites to learn more.
