The Ultimate Guide to Week 2
Christkindlmarket Des Moines has expanded to 2 weekends in 2025. Here’s a few highlights of what is happening the second weekend, Dec 11 – 14, 2025 at Principal Park.
Thu, Dec 11, 5pm – 9pm (Kinderkorner closes at 8pm)
Fri, Dec 12, 11am – 9pm (Kinderkorner closes at 8pm)
Sat, Dec 13, 11am – 9pm (Kinderkorner closes at 8pm)
Sun, Dec 14, 11am – 5pm
Breakfast with St Nick
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 10:30am – 11:30am
Stop by to get your picture taken with St. Nick and grab a make and take children’s activity.
Get your photo taken with St. Nick and the Christkind
Saturday, December 13th: 2pm – 4pm
Sunday, December 14th: 2pm – 4pm
2nd weekend ONLY vendors
These vendors will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the second weekend:
- Good Moon Pottery
- Rosemaled Creations by Maren
- Beans & Beignets
2nd weekend ONLY performers
These performers will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the second weekend:
- Stu Ryan O’Brien Pub Band
CDM2025 Day 4 – 12/7 – Last day of the 1st weekend
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).
Nonprofit Tree Silent Auction in the Weihnachtswald presented by Siegwerk, USA
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
Volunteer at
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
There are so many different opportunities still available!
Kinderkorner presented by MidAmerican Energy Foundation
11am – 8pm
Activity: Flag Voting with Stickers
Craft: Paper Chain
Activity: Passport
Activity: Photo backdrop
Craft: Coloring pages
1st weekend ONLY vendors
These vendors will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
- Iowa European Cultural Connection Brat Hut
- More Polish Pottery, LLC
- Pam Hyde Pottery
- Pinicon Farm Crafts
1st weekend ONLY performers
These performers will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
- Polka Police
- New Jolly Germans Band
- S.G. Edelweiss – St. Paul
- MacKenzie Highlanders of Iowa Pipes and Drum Band
CDM2025 Day 3 – 12/6
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).
Nonprofit Tree Silent Auction in the Weihnachtswald presented by Siegwerk, USA
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.
Saturday, December 6th – Schedule
11 am – Festival Opens
11 am – 1 pm – Yuletide Hall: Metro Brass Quintet
11 am – 11:15 am – Demo: Dragonflies and Cards
1 pm – 1:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Greater Des Moines Flute Choir
1 pm – 1:15 pm – Demo: Twisted Sunset Sisters Fiber Mill
2 pm – 2:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss
2 pm – 2:15 pm – Demo: Dakota Tinworks
2 pm – 4 pm – St Nick & Christkind visit CDM
3 pm – 3:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Wagner Summer Theater Youth Vocal Group
4 pm – 4:15 pm – Demo: Pinicon Farm Crafts
4 pm – 4:30 pm – Demo: Nymph in the Woods
4 pm – 4:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss
5 pm – 5:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Heartland Youth Choir
5:30 pm – 6 pm – Yuletide Hall: Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss
6 pm – 7 pm – Strolling: Top Hat Carolers
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Krampus Parade
6:30 pm – 9 pm – Yuletide Hall: Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen
7:15 pm – 7:30 pm – Demo: Indianola Glass Creations
8 pm – 8:30 pm – Demo: Quilted Gardens Nursery
9 pm – Festival Closes
Krampuslauf (Running of the Krampi) presented by Big Grove Brewery
Join us for the Krampus parade presented by Big Grove Brewery tonight at 6:30pm.
Volunteer at
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
There are so many different opportunities still available!
Kinderkorner presented by MidAmerican Energy Foundation
11am – 8pm
Activity: Flag Voting with Stickers
Craft: Paper Chain
Activity: Passport
Activity: Photo backdrop
Craft: Coloring pages
1st weekend ONLY vendors
These vendors will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
- Iowa European Cultural Connection Brat Hut
- More Polish Pottery, LLC
- Pam Hyde Pottery
- Pinicon Farm Crafts
1st weekend ONLY performers
These performers will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
- Polka Police
- New Jolly Germans Band
- S.G. Edelweiss – St. Paul
- MacKenzie Highlanders of Iowa Pipes and Drum Band
CDM2025 Day 2 – 12/5
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).
Nonprofit Tree Silent Auction in the Weihnachtswald presented by Siegwerk, USA
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.
Friday, December 5th – Schedule
11 am – Festival Opens
11 am – 12 pm – Yuletide Hall: Des Moines Festival Brass
11 am – 11:15 am – Demo: Dragonflies and Cards
12:30 pm – 2:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Polka Police
1 pm – 1:15 pm – Demo: Twisted Sunset Sisters Fiber Mill
2 pm – 2:15 pm – Demo: Dakota Tinworks
3 pm – 5:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: New Jolly Germans Band
3 pm – 3:30 pm – Demo: Nymph in the Woods
4 pm – 4:15 pm – Demo: Pinicon Farm Crafts
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm – St Nick & Christkind visit CDM
6 pm – 6:30 pm – Yuletide Hall: Opening Ceremony
6:30 pm – 9 pm – Yuletide Hall: Malek’s Fisherman Band
7 pm – 7:15 pm – Demo: Indianola Glass Creations
8 pm – 8:30 pm – Demo: Quilted Gardens Nursery
9 pm – Festival Closes
Volunteer at
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
There are so many different opportunities still available!
Kinderkorner presented by MidAmerican Energy Foundation
11am – 8pm
Activity: Flag Voting with Stickers
Craft: Paper Chain
Activity: Passport
Activity: Photo backdrop
Craft: Coloring pages
1st weekend ONLY vendors
These vendors will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
- Iowa European Cultural Connection Brat Hut
- More Polish Pottery, LLC
- Pam Hyde Pottery
- Pinicon Farm Crafts
1st weekend ONLY performers
These performers will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
- Polka Police
- New Jolly Germans Band
- S.G. Edelweiss – St. Paul
- MacKenzie Highlanders of Iowa Pipes and Drum Band
CDM2025 Day 1 – 12/4
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).
Nonprofit Tree Silent Auction in the Weihnachtswald presented by Siegwerk, USA
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.
Thursday, December 4th – Schedule
5 pm – Festival Opens
5 pm – Nonprofit Tree Silent Auction bidding opens
5 pm – 5:15 pm – Demo: Dragonflies and Cards
5:30 pm – 5:45 pm – Demo: Twisted Sunset Sisters Fiber Mill
6 pm – 9 pm – Yuletide Hall: The Schnitzel Brothers Bier Band
6 pm – 6:15 pm – Demo: Dakota Tinworks
6:30 pm – 7:15 pm – Demo: Nymph in the Woods
7 pm – 7:15 pm – Demo: Pinicon Farm Crafts
7:15 pm – 7:30 pm – Demo: Indianola Glass Creations
7:30 pm – 8 pm – Demo: Quilted Gardens Nursery
9 pm – Festival Closes
Volunteer at
Christkindlmarket Des Moines
There are so many different opportunities still available!
Kinderkorner presented by MidAmerican Energy Foundation
5pm – 8pm
Activity: Flag Voting with Stickers
Craft: Paper Chain
Activity: Passport
Activity: Photo backdrop
Craft: Coloring pages
1st weekend ONLY vendors
These vendors will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
- Iowa European Cultural Connection Brat Hut
- More Polish Pottery, LLC
- Pam Hyde Pottery
- Pinicon Farm Crafts
1st weekend ONLY performers
These performers will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
- Polka Police
- New Jolly Germans Band
- S.G. Edelweiss – St. Paul
- MacKenzie Highlanders of Iowa Pipes and Drum Band
The Ultimate Guide to Week 1
Christkindlmarket Des Moines has expanded to 2 weekends in 2025. Here’s a few highlights of what is happening the first weekend, Dec 4 – 7, 2025 at Principal Park.
Thu, Dec 4, 5pm – 9pm (Kinderkorner closes at 8pm)
Fri, Dec 5, 11am – 9pm (Kinderkorner closes at 8pm)
Sat, Dec 6, 11am – 9pm (Kinderkorner closes at 8pm)
Sun, Dec 7, 11am – 5pm
Opening Ceremony
Friday, December 5, 2025, 6pm
Join us for the opening ceremony of Christkindlmarket Des Moines emceed by Sally Dix, President of Bravo Greater Des Moines. Listen to the Christkind deliver her festive proclamation to open the festival and see the large tree lit.
Krampuslauf (Running of the Krampi) presented by Big Grove Brewery
Join us for the Krampus parade presented by Big Grove Brewery on Saturday December 6th at 6:30pm.
Get your photo taken with St. Nick and the Christkind
Friday, December 5th: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Saturday, December 6th: 2pm – 4pm
Sunday, December 7th: 2pm – 4pm
Nonprofit Tree Silent Auction in the Weihnachtswald presented by Siegwerk, USA
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.
1st weekend ONLY vendors
These vendors will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
- Iowa European Cultural Connection Brat Hut
- More Polish Pottery, LLC
- Pam Hyde Pottery
- Pinicon Farm Crafts
1st weekend ONLY performers
These performers will only be at Christkindlmarket Des Moines during the first weekend:
- Polka Police
- New Jolly Germans Band
- S.G. Edelweiss – St. Paul
- MacKenzie Highlanders of Iowa Pipes and Drum Band
A Festival that Supports Local
Christkindlmarket Des Moines proudly partners with area Nonprofits to bring you a one-of-a-kind cultural experience each year. Keep reading to learn more about our amazing Nonprofit Partners and be sure to support them at Christkindlmarket Des Moines, Dec 4 – 7 & 11 – 14, 2025 at Principal Park.
KinderKorner presented by the MidAmerican Energy Foundation
Our KinderKorner is a free activity area at the Festival. Throughout both weekends we offer fun and educational activities for children of all ages.
Nonprofit Partnership Program
Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC), the 501c3 that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines, has partnered with a number of local nonprofits to help with various areas of the Festival. From set up & tear down to serving brats, beer and Glühwein. Visit us to support local! Check out the different areas below.
Nonprofits receive 100% of cash tips/donations and min/max amount of electronic tips/donations.
Your purchases support the Iowa European Cultural Connection, the nonprofit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines.
Glühwein and Beer
We have 13 local nonprofits that will be serving up our beverages during the Festival.
Bratwurst Imbiß am Markt
We have 3 local nonprofits that will be hosting the IECC brat hut during the first weekend of the Festival.
Hut Set up/Tear Down and Operations
We have 2 local nonprofits that will be helping set up and tear down our traditional wooden vendor huts and also with making our Festival look festive!
These Nonprofits receive a flat donation.
Nonprofit Tree Silent Auction Thursday, December 4 – 7, 2025
1st weekend only
As part of CDM’s community outreach, 12 local nonprofits will be decorating a tree that will be displayed during the first weekend. 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 Sun, Dec 7th after the Festival ends that day. All proceeds will go directly back to the participating nonprofits.
Pinicon Farm Crafts | #CDM2025 Vendor
Tell us about your business
We are a family run business started by my grandparents, Jeff and Marlys Sowers. They started their business over 40 years ago out of Milo, Iowa and have done countless shows around central Iowa over the years. We unfortunately have lost both Jeff and Marlys but the family has continued on the business.
What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2025?
We had been a vendor in the past and absolutely loved the atmosphere of the market and wanted to get involved again.
What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024 and why did you choose them?
We sell Nantucket style baskets, shaker boxes, jewelry boxes, and other wooden home décor items. We choose these products as they are all handmade and use techniques that aren’t widely known.
Unbakeable | #CDM2025 Vendor
Tell us about your business
Unbakeable is a food truck-based business that specializes in gourmet edible cookie dough safe to eat served by the scoop. We take pride in our handmade flavors offering around 15 different flavors including gluten free and vegan options. Keep your eyes out for our vibrant trucks on the road all year long spreading delicious spoonful’s full of love and gourmet cookie dough!
What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2025?
Unbakeable was inspired to get involved with Christkindlmarket Des Moines as it is opening us up to new customers. We are a food truck based in the Twin Cities area, but we have found a new love for traveling to new cities outside of the Twin Cities. We can’t wait to bring our dough to Des Moines where it has not been seen before!!
What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024 and why did you choose them?
We will be serving up cookie dough flavors such as good ole chocolate chip, tiramisu, macaron, pistachio, and a lemon ricotta. The last 4 flavors listed are specialty flavors that will only be available at Christkindlmarket Des Moines. We chose these last 4 flavors to cross the good ole classic European flavors with an Americanized staple dessert.
Anything else you’d like to share?
We are so beyond excited to be a part of this event and come to Des Moines for our first time ever!! Can’t wait to see everyone there!!