Be one of the first to view Christkindlmarket Des Moines’ 2020 5th anniversary Glühwein mug design during our virtual mug unveiling via Zoom and Facebook Live on Tuesday, May 26 at 7pm.
Learn more about Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA), the non-profit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Find out about what we do and how to get involved.
Hear from Farmboy, the Des Moines-based design agency who developed the 2020 mug design along with video messages from our vendor partners.
To ensure that CDM can thrive, please consider becoming a CDM Marktengel (market angel). For just $25, you can be a part of something that brings holiday cheer and cherished memories in 2020 and beyond. And, as a special thank-you for your donation, we will reserve a limited-edition 2020 CDM Glühwein mug for you to be picked up at this year’s market before they run out.
Earn your “halo” starting today by becoming a CDM Marktengel. It’s a good deed that can keep Christkindlmarket Des Moines alive and growing for years to come!
Cheers to NB Golf Cars for donating the use of one of their vehicles to help us move materials and product around Principal Park during Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2020!
NB Golf Cars was founded in 1972 by the Ness Brothers (NB) from Hendricks, Minnesota.
In 1970, Omer Ness purchased a golf car after he injured his leg. The golf car made it easy for him to navigate around the golf course. Several people inquired about Ness’ golf car and eventually the idea for NB Golf Cars was born. In 1988, Omer’s son, Jim Ness, joined forces with his father to carry on the tradition of the Ness family business. NB is one of the oldest Club Car distributors in existence today.
When Omer Ness retired in 2007, the McGowan Capital Group of Sioux Falls put their faith in the NB name and became co-owners of this thriving golf car business. NB Golf has consistently grown in service and sales throughout their 40 years in business. In addition to the original Hendricks, MN store location, we have added two new stores in Des Moines, Iowa and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. NB Golf Cars has won several awards for sales and customer service distinction from Club Car. Most recently, we were awarded a Distributor of Distinction Award. We proudly added this to our Overall Superior Performance Award (2008) and our Superior After-Market Performance Award (2009). Together, these awards represent our commitment to our customers.
We are proud to serve this region and we hope to see you soon in one of our stores.
Many thanks to the Lamberti, Gocke & Luetje, P.C. law firm in Ankeny for their support of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2020.
LGL values being a part of their community and welcomes the opportunity to support their office family in their interests. Christkindlmarket Des Moines is an event that their employee Erin Baldwin is actively involved in and passionate about and they are happy to be a part of the event.
Their firm has been serving the law needs of businesses and individuals in Ankeny and throughout Iowa for over 20 years. Whether you are starting a business, changing custody agreements or getting your affairs in order, an expert at Ankeny Law will be at your service.
Do you know it all? Do you like beer? Are you interested in supporting a good cause?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should come join us for a fun-filled evening of trivial pursuit style trivia at 515 Brewing Company on Tuesday, March 24th. Participation is $10 a person with proceeds going towards the production of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2020, a free, annual event in downtown Des Moines.
Movie buffs are encouraged, but you’ll want a well-rounded team to make sure to get as many points as you can as there were will questions covering everything from geography to science.
Check in starts at 6pm and trivia kicks off at 6:30. Maximum team size is 4 people.
We’re looking forward to having you!
Tue, March 24, 2020
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM CDT
515 Brewing Company
7700 University Avenue
#suite c
Clive, IA 50325
We’re pleased to include Hessen Haus among our family of 2020 sponsors!
The Hessen Haus perfectly recreates the authentic atmosphere of an old-world German bier hall. The twenty-one imported German biers on tap, authentic German fare on the menu, and sounds of live music on the stage – including local bands and regional polka – create a lively yet cozy atmosphere where large crowds gather to pass the boot and small groups find themselves making new friends.
A combination of a state in west-central Germany and the German word for house, the name Hessen Haus was chosen for its authentic origins and welcoming feel. The state of Hessen which the bier hall is named for plays home to more than six million inhabitants – which are referred to as Hesses if male or Hessins if female. In English, occupants are known as Hessians – a term affectionately applied to our more frequent visitors to the restaurant.
This year, we are pleased to work with the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Des Moines. Located near Principal Park, this property is perfect for guests visiting Christkindlmarket Des Moines.
120 SW Water St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Book your group rate for Christkindlmarket Des Moines by calling 515-244-1650 and requesting the group rate for “Christkindlmarket Des Moines” OR clicking here.
Cut off date for courtesy block rate: November 11, 2020
Learn more about visiting European Christmas Markets via an organized tour in 2020. Deadline to reserve to attend this event: April 17, 2020
In the Heart of Europe you will find a wonderful surprise – colorful Christmas Markets just waiting to be explored. The dramatic architecture of Europe’s spectacular cities is the perfect backdrop to the charming stalls that offer traditional items from handmade crafts to tasty foods and unexpected joys.
Join Des Moines European Heritage Association for a tour of European Christmas Markets December 7 – 14, 2020. During this tour, you will enjoy the following:
Download the complete brochure
Download the registration form
We hope you can join in the fun. Space is limited, so reserve today!
Last Saturday we held our volunteer appreciation event to thank those that helped produce Christkindlmarket Des Moines. We couldn’t have done it without them!
Thank you to 515 Brewing Company for hosting us! It was a lot of fun.
Are you interested in getting involved to help plan this year’s event? Complete our volunteer interest form indicating your committee interests.
Are you interested in volunteering at the event this December? Opt in to our e-newsletter to be notified when opportunities are available. The Glühwein serving shifts go fast!
Des Moines European Heritage Association invites you to become a performer at the 5th Annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines taking place December 3 – 6, 2020 at Principal Park.
In its first four years, this cultural experience has attracted over 145,000 visitors.
If you have applied in the past, but were not accepted, we encourage you to complete an application each year. The programming committee takes several factors into consideration when choosing the slate of performers each year.
Performances typically seen at Christkindlmarkets include (but are not limited to): European folk music players, European folk music singers, yodeling, guitarist, accordionist, clogging, folk dancers, Scottish pipes & drums, high school choirs, children’s choirs, violinists, bell choirs, church choirs, story-tellers, brass bands, alpine horn blowers, marionette/ puppeteer, Schuhplattler Verein, vocal performances in European languages, harpists, etc.
We will provide a four-sided, forced-air heated tent at a location to be determined by the Christkindlmarket Des Moines event planning committee in Principal Park’s Main Lot. A lighted stage within the tent will be provided. The size of the stage in 2019 was 30’ x 16’.
Our performer guide will give you an overview of the needs assessment process and requirements. As soon as you fill out the needs assessment, it will be reviewed.
What is the timeline for the process?
Des Moines European Heritage Association invites you to become a vendor at the 5th Annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines taking place December 3 – 6, 2020 at Principal Park.
In the past four years, this cultural experience has attracted over 145,000 visitors. (50,000 in 2019!)
The quality of a traditional Christmas market depends on maintaining a high standard of the vendor products it offers. Christkindlmarket Des Moines is dedicated to immersing visitors in a world of folklore and craftsmanship as well as enticing them with traditional, seasonal gastronomic specialties to provide an experience filled with European elegance and charm. See Google Images of Christmas markets around the world.
Our vendor guide will give you an overview of the application process and requirements. As soon as you fill out the application, it will be reviewed internally. You will receive feedback by April 1, 2020 at the latest.
If you have applied in the past, but were not accepted, we encourage you to complete an application each year. The vendor committee takes several factors into consideration when choosing the slate of vendors each year. We will continue to add wooden vendor stalls and not all vendors that participated in the past are asked to return which results in openings.
City of Des Moines Outdoor Events Requirements (Food vendors please read)
Products typically found at Christkindlmarkets throughout the world, which include (but are not limited to): decorative fresh wreaths and centerpieces; one-of-a-kind handmade items that can be made and demonstrated on site; holiday ornaments of all colors, materials and sizes; nutcrackers; cuckoo clocks; beer steins; wooden toys; jewelry; wood carvings; European sweets and treats; sausages; sauerkraut; potato pancakes; waffles; crepes; stollen; gingerbread; roasted nuts; cakes and pastries; German smokers; candles; wooden nativity scenes; items made from hand-blown glass; clay and ceramic pottery items; tea light holders; Eastern Slavic handcrafted gifts, such as nesting dolls and papier-mâché lacquer boxes; lace; leather products; beer and wine glasses; wooden toys; handwoven garments and more.
Wild Cherry Spoon Co has vended across the Midwest. From popular indie craft markets in Chicago to small first time shows. Christkindl Market Des Moines blew them all away in terms of revenue, participation, crowd size, after show sales, interesting things to see and do at the market, and volunteer support. We would love to be able to attend every subsequent market and word of advice to vendors; plan for your wildest sales expectations and then bring 4x the inventory…it sells out fast!
Tim McGuire, Wild Cherry Spoon
This show for three years has exceeded expectations! A very festive atmosphere, the volunteers were exceptional, and our needs were met by the organizers. Sales were excellent. We have been selling roasted nuts for 16 years and this is our best show. Looking forward to next year. Thanks to those that attended and to the people that put this together.
Greg Lincoln, Top of the Hill Nuts
I’ve been fortunate to sell at both the inaugural 2016 and the 2017 Christkindlmarkets. As a vendor in the Des Moines area, selling at 45 events in 2017, I can tell you this market simply blows away any other show in terms of revenue and after market sales. The hardworking and dedicated organizers have created a festive, well attended, and well organized three-day community event. Selling at the Christkindlmarket is exceedingly profitable and its just plain fun to be part of the Christmas festivities!
Betty Chamness Trost, Three Smooth Stones
We had a great time & experience this year at The Christkindlmarket. We “Curbin Cuisine” were one of the food vendors & had a busy fun weekend. Sales were good, plenty of Joy & Christmas Spirit all weekend from the market! Looking forward for 2018, had a blast!
Jarrod Fontanini, Curbin Cuisine
I was especially impressed with the advertising for Christkindlmarket Des Moines—I think the organizers did a great job of getting the word out through many different avenues. The parking for unloading was easy to get to and convenient to the booth location. The volunteers were very friendly and helpful. The booths made for a great ambience, and we loved the signs! My one reservation about the event was being outside because I am not at all a fan of cold weather, but the heaters in the booths made it comfortable enough, and the crowds were terrific all weekend.
Pickle Creek Herbs
In 2016 we set up at 125+ events around Iowa, and out of all of those events, Christkindlmarket Des Moines was our #1 event for gross sales. When accounting for the time spent at the event (sales/hour) and the cost of the booth (sales/event cost), it was also among our best events of the year (in the top 5). There were other benefits to this market as well. One is that we got to meet a lot of new customers. We’ve been vending at events in Des Moines for about 8 years, and at Christkindlmarket we sold items to people who had never heard of us before. We also could trace several visitors to our web site who clicked on a link to us from the Christkindlmarket web site. I had high hopes for this event, and in terms of both sales and marketing, this event exceeded all my expectations.
Since this was the first year, I’m excited to see how next year goes. I think it started out really well and can only get better, and I am definitely coming back if they will have me! A big thank you to everyone who helped make it happen!!
Pickle Creek Herbs
The first Christkindlmarket Des Moines was one of the most fun and well organized first-time shows we’ve had the pleasure of participating in. We were provided with ample information before the show, so setup was a breeze, and the how cute were the booths?!
It’s always tough to predict how many people will come to a new event, but the people of Des Moines turned out in droves – the event was consistently busy all three days of the show.
So many little touches made for a really great show – the live music kept both customers and vendors in good spirits, even through cold and rainy weather. The food and hot beverages were huge draws to bring in more people along with great local products and holiday atmosphere.
It was a great time to see people just enjoy the start to the holidays, enjoy time with each other and say cheers to just being here in Des Moines.
Overall it was a great event that we hope to participate in for years to come!
Tammy & Adam, The Red Door Press
We are very pleased with the Christkindlmarket. It was very well organized and everyone one was very helpful. They contacted us often to see if we had any needs and fill our requests. I was very happy with the attendance and it ws a very positive atmosphere. Looking forward to next year.
Greg Lincoln, Top of the Hill Nuts
Worldly Goods loved being part of the inaugural Christkindlemarket! The volunteers were fun and professional to work with and did their best to accommodate all situations that came up this first year. We look forward to the future; seeing old friends and meeting new ones as the market continues to grow and expand!
Worldly Goods
Thank you for allowing us to be a part of the first annual Christkindlmarket in Des Moines. The volunteers and staff did a wonderful job of organizing this Christmas Market, and took great care of the vendors. This was a fun, family-friendly event that had something to offer everyone. We look forward to being a part of this cultural experience next year.
Kathleen Gill, Royal Mile
