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).
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

There are so many different opportunities still available!
11am – 8pm
Activity: Flag Voting with Stickers
Craft: Paper Chain
Activity: Passport
Activity: Photo backdrop
Craft: Coloring pages



These vendors will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
These performers will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:

About the author