2019 Call for Vendors
Des Moines European Heritage Association invites you to become a vendor at the 4th Annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines taking place December 6 – 8, 2019 at Principal Park.
In its first three years, this cultural experience has attracted over 95,000 visitors.
Vendor Testimonial: 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
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 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 15, 2019 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.
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.
View all Vendor Testimonials
Read the 2019 Vendor Guide (Required)
Apply to be a 2019 Vendor
City of Des Moines Outdoor Events Requirements (Food vendors please read)
Application Deadline: March 15, 2019
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 volunteers were very friendly and helpful. The booths made for a great ambience, and we loved the signs!
Pickle Creek Herbs
Darcy Hines Designs | 2019 In-Kind Sponsor
Creative Sponsor Darcy Hines Designs is back again to help visually present Christkindlmarket Des Moines to our community. You may have seen her work last year in the promotional flyers, posters and signage at the event.
Darcy Hines is the owner and graphic designer at Darcy Hines Designs. Her work focuses on typography and a clean style. She enjoys working with clients who allow her to be creative with her design choices. She often works on creating brand standards and stationary.
According to Darcy, she was motivated to get involved by the unique nature of our event.
“I love the idea of bringing such a festive and creative event to Des Moines in the months where people are normally bundled up in their houses. I think it’s a great opportunity to bring people together as families, offer them a chance to experience a culture they normally wouldn’t be able to, and breathe some light into those cold winter months with hot cider and hand-made Christmas gifts.”
Thank you for your work, Darcy!
Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.
![Support[1]](https://christkindlmarketdsm.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Support1-1024x487.png)
Carpenters Local 106 | 2019 In-Kind Sponsor
The organizers of Christkindlmarket Des Moines are proud to partner with Carpenters Local 106. Fabricated by Waukee and Johnston High Schools and stored at Centennial Warehouse, Carpenters Local 106 will again help us set up our wooden vendor stalls at Christkindlmarket Des Moines. The following is from the Carpenters Local 106:
Why is this partnership Important:
Carpenters Local 106 has been a part of Des Moines Heritage for over 120 years. As Local 106 members, we strive to offer our skills to help build up the city and people of Des Moines. Many of our members have varying heritages and backgrounds including European heritage. Which they also value to continue their traditions.
How is Carpenters 106 involved in our communities:
Our members are very involved in the community in varies ways. Whether it be from coaching our kid’s sports teams or being a PTA member at their schools, or working closely with our church groups. As an organization we offer scholarships, donate to Toys-For-Tots, sponsor Jolly Holiday Lights and Iowa Heart are a few. Any opportunity we can to show off our specific skills and help with community projects like handy cap ramps or just helping out a friend or neighbor you can count on us.
Things people don’t know about Unions:
We are dedicated and fight to make sure the working class is protected, safe and getting what they deserve. Unions have provided very long and reliable sustaining careers, pensions and health benefits for so many people, for many of years. We value productivity, safety and craftsmanship. Our priority is education and providing it at no cost to our members.
Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.
Grand View University – In-Kind 2019 Sponsor
Grand View University provides meeting space for all Des Moines European Heritage Association and Christkindlmarket Des Moines meetings. This has been a great help to our organization. We love and appreciate all of our sponsors, but would like to tell you a little bit more about Grand View University.
Grand View University has public meeting space available. If you would like to schedule an event or meeting, they would be pleased to host you. They have classrooms, meeting rooms, performances areas, and other rooms available for use to support the community and its events when not serving the University’s events.
As well as available space to rent, they have a professional caterer on-site. If your event needs those accommodations, they have an additional form you can fill out to request this service. They also have a new Student Center which allows for expanded dining, performance, and meeting facilities.
If you would like to book their public space directly from this page, here are a few hyperlinks that lead to their facility request forms. We hope you enjoy their public space as much as we do!
Viking Theatre Request (capacity = 204)
Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.
Bravo Cultural Enrichment Grant Recipient
Christkindlmarket is a Cultural Enrichment grant recipient from Bravo! Bravo Greater Des Moines strives to have a community where arts, culture, and heritage is spread across Iowa. You can find their mission, vision, and values on their website.
Bravo Greater Des Moines leverages community resources to maximize impact of arts, culture, and heritage to advance regional priorities. A primary way they do this is through their community investment grantmaking programs. Bravo’s cultural partner grantees draw regional tourism, increase resident satisfaction, help attract and retain talent and generally make Greater Des Moines a premier place to work live and play.
Since 2006, Bravo has awarded 896 grants to more than 100 arts, culture and heritage organizations and programs totaling more than $35 million.
The mission of Bravo Greater Des Moines is to provide reliable funding and support that strengthens arts, culture and heritage organizations serving Greater Des Moines. Bravo Greater Des Moines envisions a community where arts, culture and heritage organizations across central Iowa are recognized and supported as vital contributors to the region’s vibrant quality of life. Some of the values Bravo encourages most in the community is to be collaborative, inclusive, accountable, regional, opportunistic, and passionate. Bravo uses collaboration and inclusion to partner communities with organizations such as Des Moines European Heritage Association. The long-term goal is to have success in Iowa for arts and culture outreach.
The Cultural Enrichment Grant provides operating support to arts, culture, and heritage organizations in Iowa which are three of of the main things Christkindlmarket Des Moines brings to central Iowa! This funding supports investments in growing our community culture and stability. Christkindlmarket Des Moines is happy to receive this grant, and continues to grow our event and outreach!
Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.
Centennial Warehousing Corporation | In-Kind Sponsor for 2019
Centennial Warehousing Corporation has graciously agreed to continue to donate storage space for our wooden vendor stalls.
After working with a member of the Des Moines Woodworkers Association, we were able to rework the design so when torn down, each stall fits on a double-wide pallet which can be easily moved around the warehouse with the help of a forklift.
We have worked with Waukee High School and Johnston High School Industrial Arts Students to build our traditional wooden vendor stalls. This year we will work with Southeast Polk High School on future stalls.
As a non-profit, community partners are extremely important. Many thanks to Centennial Warehousing Corporation!
Centennial Warehousing is a full service logistics company. Services range from a full service warehouse, over the road trucking, regional distribution, and freight brokerage. We have our own fleet of semi-trucks and 53 ft. air ride trailers driven by our own professional drivers.
Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.
Post #CDM2018 Food Sale!
Thank You To Our Sponsors
Community Supporters
The Patty & Jim Cownie Charitable Fund
The Deb and Paul Hayes Charitable Fund
Grants
2018 Bravo Cultural Enrichment Grant Recipient
Iowa Arts Council 2018 Cultural Heritage Project Grant Recipient
Support for Yuletide Hall at Christkindlmarket Des Moines provided by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
2018 Sponsors
KinderKorner Sponsor |
Creative Sponsor |
Photography Sponsor |
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Platinum Sponsors |
Silver Sponsors |
Bronze Sponsors |
Centennial Warehousing Corporation
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Grand View UniversityLessing-FlynnAARP Iowa |
Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors BureauGilcrest/Jewett Lumber Co.Star EquipmentWixted & AssociatesLincoln Savings BankIowa State BankEMC Insurance FoundationWartburg CollegeIowa Sister States |
Christmas Tree Sponsor |
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Vendor Stall Sponsors
JDRF- Greater Iowa Chapter
We would like to welcome another new organization to the Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction, JDRF- Greater Iowa Chapter.
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Since being founded in 1970, JDRF has made it their mission to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications.
JDRF Greater Iowa Chapter will be honoring “The Heroes of Type 1 Diabetes” with their tree decorated in shades of white and blue, JDRF’s signature color. The tree will feature photos of JDRF youth ambassadors – children who live with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and collector’s edition “Jolly Wrap Junior” Christopher Radko ornaments exclusively designed for JDRF.
For more information on JDRF- Greater Iowa Chapter, please visit their website.
Plan Your Visit to Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2018
Always be prepared…Let us help you plan your visit to Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2018.
- Wander to Walnut for additional food, beer and Glühwein. We’ve grown and have expanded the venue due to the community’s continued support;
- Enjoy a 1/4 lb, coarse-ground, German–style pork bratwurst grilled to perfection from our stand, Bratwurst Imbiss am Markt. Usinger‘s produces many kinds of sausages and meats, in many cases using traditional 19th-century recipes provided by its founder, Fred Usinger of Wehen, Germany. The family-owned company, now in it’s fourth generation, continues to live its slogan of providing “America’s Finest Sausage”;
- Visit our first international vendor, Steinbach, joining us all the way from Marienberg (Erzgebirge region), Germany, for their world-famous nutcrackers, smokers, small pyramids and ornaments;
- Visit our vendors in traditional wooden vendor stalls | Food & Beverage | Gift & Specialty Items;
- Spend time at the KinderKorner sponsored by MidAmerican Energy Company learning about European cultures through crafts, stories and activities;
- Support Iowa-based non-profits by texting CDM2018 to (855)735.2437 to start bidding on themed trees they have decorated. The item number can be found near each tree. Can’t make it to Christkindlmarket Des Moines? Bid online, bidr.co/events/cdm2018;
- Enjoy three serving areas for Glühwein & Kinderpunsch (and purchase your 2018 commemorative mug!): On Cowles Commons, in Yuletide Hall and on Walnut Street;
- And two serving areas for beer: On Cowles Commons and in Yuletide Hall;
- Enhance your Glühwein and Kinderpunsch experience with amaretto, apple liqueur and orange liqueur add-ins;
- Learn how products are made by taking in six demonstrations;
- Shop an der Weihnachtsecke (at the Christmas Corner) for 2018 commemorative mugs, beer steins and glassware, European confections, hand-painted, hand-blown glass ornaments from Glaszauber Lauscha, and Christkindlmarket Des Moines merchandise;
- Tap your toes in Yuletide Hall – our heated entertainment tent – as you take in folk dancers, choirs, instrumental performances and bands;
- Sip St. Nick’s Christkindlbier, brewed especially for Christkindlmarket Des Moines by Confluence Brewing Company. We’ll have a firkin tapping on Friday of the market at 4pm. The beer will be on tap while supplies last;
- Attend the Opening ceremony and tree lighting on Friday, November 30th at 6pm as the Christkind delivers her holiday season proclamation accompanied by St. Nicholas. Both will be strolling the market on Saturday and Sunday from Noon – 2pm;
- Learn about other European cultures during a European Cultural Heritage “Meet Up” on Saturday, December 1, 6 – 8pm in Yuletide Hall;
- Follow us on Instagram @christmasdesmoines and Twitter @christmasdsm;
- Grab a bingo card at the Information Tent and our other hosted locations throughout the venue. Return the completed card to the Information Tent for a chance to win a 2018 Christkindlmarket Des Moines commemorative mug;
- Grab a survey at the Information Tent and our other hosted locations throughout the venue. Return the completed survey to the Information Tent for a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card;
- Bring cash! Many vendors will be taking payment via credit and debit cards and we’ll have an ATM on site.
Location
Christkindlmarket Des Moines will be held at Cowles Commons in downtown Des Moines (221 Walnut St). For directions to the Market, please click here.
Dates and Times
Friday, November 30, 2018: 11am – 9pm
Saturday, December 1, 2018: 11am – 9pm
Sunday, December 2, 2018: 11am – 5pm