Author Archive Suzanne Hull

BySuzanne Hull

Siegwerk USA | 2024 Weihnachtswald Sponsor

We’re pleased to announce Siegwerk USA as the Weihnachtswald Sponsor of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024.

Siegwerk was founded in Siegburg, Germany in 1830 as a retailer of manufactured goods. The company capitalized on its expertise in printing obtained from the “Kattunfabrik”, a fabric print shop, and progressed to become one of the top international manufacturers of printing inks and coatings. Globally, Siegwerk employs over 5,000 people in 30 countries.

Siegwerk plays an important role in packaging, as we use color to bring products to life for our customers. Every day people come across Siegwerk inks no matter where they are, including walking down the grocery aisle where there are many offerings of examples including confectionery packaging, beverage bottles or food pouches.

Des Moines is the home of Siegwerk’s U.S. headquarters and is proud to sponsor this event, as having strong roots from Germany, and currently celebrating 200 years in business. We love seeing the European culture come to life in our city.

BySuzanne Hull

2024 Christkindlmarket Des Moines Nonprofit Partnership Program (NPP)

Are you looking for a fundraiser for your non-profit? Join us as one of our nonprofit partners at Christkindlmarket Des Moines this year!

Partnership Opportunities

Beverages (4 Points of Sale Available): Sell Glühwein and Kinderpunsch


PRE‐FESTIVAL

  1. Create all volunteer schedules and shifts including at least fifteen (15) minutes before the shift begins. Shifts can be as long or as short as you like.
  2. Fully staff all hours selected with 4 individuals.
  3. Provide overall main contact and all shift leaders cell numbers to CDM Leadership.

DURING FESTIVAL

  1. Sell product. Nonprofit may sell only products provided by the Festival.
  2. General clean-up of space, unboxing product, preparing product to be sold.
  3. Removal of trash and debris to appropriate areas.
  4. Cash management and the taking of electronic payments via POS system (provided).

CDM Management will:

  1. Set up tables and Point of Sale.
  2. Manage stock levels.
  3. Organize product for the next day.
  4. Manage cash and provide change.

 THE PARTNERSHIP

Nonprofit partners can choose the following partnership levels and receive the associated donation from the Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC), the non-profit that produce CDM:

Thursday, December 5 and Friday, December 6, 2024 | $500 donation
Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, 2024 | $500 donation
Thursday, December 5 – Sunday, December 8, 2024 | $1000 donation

Nonprofit partners will be provided with:

  • A hyperlinked listing on our website as a nonprofit partner with the date, times and location of your volunteering
  • Social media promotion of our partnership
  • Individual blog post announcing/publicizing our partnership

While volunteering the nonprofit may place their tip jar next to the CDM tip jar for cash tips/donations. The nonprofit’s tip jar must be clearly labeled with the name of their nonprofit. 100% of the cash tips in the nonprofit’s tip jar revert back to the nonprofit. Talking about your nonprofit is acceptable; the solicitation of tips is not. The use of a digital/cashless tip jar is acceptable.

Anyone handling alcohol will need to complete online I-PACT (Iowa – Program for Alcohol Compliance) Training. After successfully passing the final test, you will receive a printable certificate of completion. The test takes 45 – 60 minutes to complete and can be completed online at https://abd.iowa.gov/education/i-pact.

Please direct questions and interest in our nonprofit partnership program to Suzanne Hull, [email protected] or 515-250-6366

BySuzanne Hull

Duke Rentals | 2024 Platinum Sponsor

We’re pleased to have Duke Rentals as a member of our team as a Platinum Sponsor.

Headquartered in Southwest Iowa, Duke Rentals is locally owned and operated, supplying the Midwest with an extensive fleet of over 9000 machines. Since modest beginnings in 2000, we continually strive to offer the best equipment, at the lowest cost, with the best customer service. Exceeding customer expectations is our goal by constantly improving quality and communications.

We provide industry-leading customer satisfaction through rentals and sales of scissor lifts, boom lifts, telehandlers, industrial forklifts, light and general dirt equipment, and most recently, the WolfLift. By offering a wide range of equipment through 14 convenient locations, we’re able to provide our services to customers in multiple industries, including construction, industrial, and entertainment to name a few. Whether you’re a contractor, a homeowner, or anything in between, we’ve got the equipment you need to get the job done quickly and safely.

BySuzanne Hull

2024 Call For Vendors

Iowa European Cultural Connection invites you to become a vendor at the 9th Annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines taking place December 5 – 8, 2024 at Principal Park.

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 culinary specialties to provide a family-friendly experience filled with European elegance and charm.

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.

2024 Vendor Guide

2024 Vendor Application

2024 Electricity Request Form

We are interested in products typically offered at Christkindlmarkets throughout the world, which may include (but are not limited to): decorative fresh wreaths and centerpieces; one-of-a-kind handmade items; holiday ornaments of all colors, materials and sizes; nutcrackers; cuckoo clocks; beer steins; wooden toys; jewelry; wood carvings; pre-packaged 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; tea light holders; Eastern European/Slavic handcrafted gifts, such as nesting dolls and papier-mâché lacquer boxes; lace; leather products; beer and wine glasses; handwoven garments and more.

Vendor Testimonials

As a nonprofit, Christkindlmarket Des Moines is an essential event for our business year after year. We enjoy working their seasoned team of administrators in putting on an authentic, enjoyable market that has continued to grow and grow beyond our expectations. We enjoy being a part of this wonderful festival and look forward to the next one every year.

Danish Windmill


We have been involved with Christkindlmarket Des Moines since 2019 and it has exceeded our wildest expectations. Iowa has always been a strong market for us, but this was amazing. It was as the Dane’s say a Hygge time: (pronounced hoo·guh) (Hygge is about preserving happiness everyday. It is slowing down, being humble, expressing gratitude, feeling safe and connecting with loved ones.) Who wouldn’t want to spend a day with friends and Family at Christkindlmarket Des Moines. The organization of the event is well planned and the volunteers are helpful. The entertainment gets your toes tapping and the variety of vendors gives everyone an opportunity to find something unique.

The Kringle Man


Christkindlmarket Des Moines is by far my favorite market to vend at. It is a continuous celebration with live music, parades and Gluehwein. So it is a destination instead of just a market. The attendance and sales are phenomenal.

Pam Hyde Pottery


Our experience from start to finish was exceptional. As a first time vendor we were nervous but, all the information and mentoring provided by Christkindlmarket Des Moines prepared us for success. We highly recommend this event for vendors and attendees.

Rusty Stars Alpacas


Wild Cherry Spoon Co has vended across the Midwest. From popular indie craft markets in Chicago to small first time shows. Christkindlmarket 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


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


BySuzanne Hull

2024 Call for Performers

Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC) invites you to become a performer at the 9th annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines taking place December 5 – December 8, 2024 at Principal Park.

Days/Times
Dec 5: 5pm – 9pm
Dec 6: 11am – 9pm
Dec 7: 11am – 9pm
Dec 8: 11am – 5pm

Yuletide Hall After Hours: Friday & Saturday from 9pm – 10pm

The quality of a traditional Christmas market depends on maintaining a high standard of programming. Christkindlmarket Des Moines is dedicated to immersing visitors in a world of folklore and craftsmanship as well as enticing them with traditional, seasonal culinary specialties to provide an experience filled with European elegance and charm. See Google Images of Christmas markets around the world.

Yuletide Hall is a four-sided, forced-air heated tent at a location to be determined by the CDM event planning committee at Principal Park’s Main Lot. A lighted stage within the tent will be provided. The size of the stage in 2023 was 16x32x32″ tall.

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 internally.

What is the timeline for the process?

  • Fill out the online needs assessment below by March 1, 2024
  • REQUIRED: Send additional photographs and links to audio files/videos representing you or your group to [email protected]
  • Receive feedback from CDM staff by March 15, 2024

Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024 Performer Information Guide

Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024 Performer Needs Assessment

BySuzanne Hull

Bravo Greater Des Moines Operating Support Grant Recipient – 2024

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.

BySuzanne Hull

Can Do Cancer – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant

The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during #CDM2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.

Can Do Cancer will be a first-time participant in CDM’s Silent Auction. As they work to improve the lives of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment in Des Moines, Ames and surrounding areas, they will also be livening up CDM’s Christmas Forest with a festive tree.

Can Do Cancer has been able to help 130 patients in 2023 with meals on infusion treatment days, house cleaning throughout active treatment, a website with practical tips and advice, and access to a fellow breast cancer survivor through their Patient Partner program. Proceeds from the Silent Auction tree will go to provide the funds needed to continue their work. On average each patient receives $1,200 in support and services.

With nearly 70 volunteers who serve as Patient Partners, they are “The Guiding Stars” who make this program work! They will be hand-painting ornaments in blues, greens, and metallics to celebrate each individual. The Patient Partner team represents a dedicated group of breast cancer survivors who give their time and experiences to provide moral support and encouragement to current cancer patients. Their commitment is invaluable to current patients and the program couldn’t do what it does without them.


Check our Can Do Cancer’s “The Guiding Stars” by visiting Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30- December 3, 2023!

BySuzanne Hull

Living History Farms – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant

The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during #CDM2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.

Living History Farms is a first-time decorator at CDM and enjoys the opportunity to connect with the German cultural aspects of Christkindmarket Des Moines. This working museum has a home built by Irish immigrants and a re-creation of a home from Norwegian immigrants. With a mission to connect Iowans to the many stories of our heritage, including European immigrants, Living History Farms closely aligns with CDM’s mission of education our local population about European heritage in our state.

Every admission to Living History Farms museum is heavily subsidized by donations and fundraising. They are excited to raise spirits and funds during this holiday season!

Check out Living History Farms’ tree by visiting Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30- December 3, 2023!

BySuzanne Hull

Self Help International – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant

The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during #CDM2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.

Self-Help International will be making their first appearance in the Christmas Forest. As an Iowa-based international non-profit, Self-Help International is dedicated to alleviating hunger in rural communities in Ghana, West Africa, and Nicaragua, Central America by helping people help themselves. They prioritize local staff and community leadership and programs to address the gaps in development by ensuring program partners have access to knowledge as well as the resources to put their knowledge into action.


Find Self-Help International’s festive tree at Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30- December 3, 2023!

BySuzanne Hull

Danish Brotherhood – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant

The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during #CDM2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.

The Danish Brotherhood Lodge #15 has been hard at work creating a festive Danish tree to tempt bidders. As a four-year participant, this has become an organization tradition bringing members together to celebrate Danish heritage as they craft a beautiful tree.

The Danish Brotherhood was chartered November 26, 1884 with a mission to encourage Danish tradition, support members, and other community nonprofits. Here is their tree from 2022, amazing!

Drop a bid on the Danish Brotherhood’s tree at Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30- December 3, 2023!