Meet the Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024 Christkind
We would like to introduce Karlie Latterell as the Christkind for this year’s Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Karlie is a junior at Norwalk High School.
The Christkind is the namesake of Christkindlmarkets. The Christkind is often described as a fairy-like being dressed in gold and white robes with a crown upon their golden locks. Christkind folklore dates back to the 1500s and stems from traditional customs: parades during the holiday season were guided by one “grand” angel, the Christkind. They are the bearer of gifts to most children in German-speaking countries, much like Santa Claus is in the United States.
Our Christkind will be making appearances at the festival during our opening ceremony December 6, 2024 from 6pm – 7pm. She will also make appearances on December 7th and 8th from 2pm-4pm.
Metro Brass Quintet | #CDM2024 Performer
Tell us about your group
The Metro Brass Quintet has been performing in the Des Moines Metro and surrounding area for the last 10 years. Our membership has remained largely the same and we have a great library of tunes across the spectrum and original works written for the group.
What are you most looking forward to at Christkindlmarket Des Moines?
This is one of our favorite performances with the great atmosphere, food, drinks, and a receptive crowd! Our members are split between the Gluwein, nuts, and beer as favorite treats.
What’s your favorite thing about performing at events like this?
We love playing for a good crowd and connecting with people and their favorite seasonal songs. You can see people remembering or making memories each year and it’s a delight.
Anything else you’d like to share?
We’re so thankful to be a part of the tradition from the start (minus 2020) and are excited for 2024’s Christkindlmarket!
New to #CDM2024 | Afterhours in Yuletide Hall
On Friday and Saturday night, patrons are invited to join us in Yuletide Hall from 9pm – 10pm to continue the fun. Malek’s Fishermen Band out of Garner, Iowa, will be performing a mix of European music, holiday favorites and novelty tunes. Sing along in English, Czech and German! There will be plenty of room to dance in our 50% larger, heated tent.
New to #CDM2024 | We’ve moved! Just a bit further north, that is.
The festival is still at Principal Park, but the festival grounds have moved to the parking lot north of the stadium (lot #2 in the below map) for an expanded and redesigned patron experience. You’ll still be able to enjoy kids’ crafts in the KinderKorner presented by MidAmerican Energy Foundation; have a date night (or day) with some craft beer in the Biergarten, or kick back and relax with live music and a warm cup or festive mug of Glühwein (mulled, spiced wine) in Yuletide Hall.
Camp Hertko Hollow | #CDM2024 Nonprofit Partner
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is pleased to partner with Camp Hertko Hollow as a Nonprofit Partner this year.
Camp Hertko Hollow and their team of volunteers will be managing a point of sale at the Glühwein Refill area in the Biergarten on Saturday and Sunday. All cash tips placed in their tip jar at their point of sale will go directly to their organization. The Iowa European Cultural Connection, the nonprofit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines, will also make a $500 donation as part of our partnership.
Camp Hertko Hollow is dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth who have type 1 diabetes. The goals at camp are: Recreation, Education, Regulation and FUN! Campers enjoy the traditional camp activities while learning about living with diabetes. Camp focuses on fostering relationships to strengthen the T1D community.
The mission of Camp Hertko Hollow is to:
- Provide an educational and recreational camping program for Iowa’s youth between the ages of 6-17 who have diabetes.
- Promote diabetes management skills.
Help children gain independence and develop a positive attitude for controlling the disease.
Experience Christkindlmarket Des Moines at New Principal Park Location
The festival grounds move to the parking lot north of the stadium for an expanded, redesigned experience
The dates for Christkindlmarket Des Moines (CDM) 2024 have been announced by the Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC) for Dec 5 – 8 at Principal Park. With our community’s support, we’ve grown to become the second largest festival of our kind in the U.S. based on average daily attendance. Due to its continued success, #CDM2024 will continue its 4-day format with more amazing activities and 44 vendors.
“We’re excited to build upon our success from 2023 with a move to the parking lot north of the stadium for an expanded and redesigned patron experience”, Suzanne Hull the Director of Christkindlmarket Des Moines explains. “In addition, we are hosting an afterhours in our enlarged, heated, entertainment tent from 9pm – 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Our festival attendees will also enjoy expanded food options, Breakfast with St. Nick (ticketed), new vendors, dedicated Glühwein refill lines, enhanced decorative lighting and additional free surface parking.”
Since Christkindlmarket Des Moines began in 2016, this cultural experience has grown significantly. With the amazing quality and authenticity of the European traditions at CDM, it’s no surprise that it continues to grow. There is such a wide range of new and returning activities and vendors; from imported sweets and beer to traditional specialty items such as Steinbach nutcrackers and Glühwein mugs, the gift possibilities are endless.
The entertainment for this year’s festival is as impressive as the cuisine and handmade treasures offered. Yuletide Hall presented by Prairie Meadows will be home to talented musicians and performers. In addition to various music styles, attendees will enjoy performances on Saturday and Sunday from the Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss, which is the #1 award winning Bavarian Dance group in North America.
Patrons are invited to support local nonprofits by bidding on decorated trees in the Weihnachtswald (Christmas Tree Forest) presented by Siegwerk. The winning bidders can take home their trees and ornaments on Sunday at 5pm. The Kinderkorner tent presented by the MidAmerican Energy Foundation will host various children’s activities throughout the weekend.
Free surface parking is available west of Principal Park between SW 2nd St and SW 3rd St and south of W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy and in the parking lot directly west of the stadium. A map of parking options can be found on our website. https://christkindlmarketdsm.com/parking/
The festival is open to the public free of charge: Thu, Dec 5, 5pm – 9pm, Fri, Dec 6: 11am – 9pm, Sat, Dec 7: 11am – 9pm, and Sun, Dec 8: 11am – 5pm. Yuletide Hall after hours 9pm – 10pm on Friday and Saturday.
IECC is always looking for enthusiastic volunteers, sponsors, and vendors to be involved and help CDM fully encompass the European holiday spirit. Visit our website https://christkindlmarketdsm.com for more information on volunteering, vendor applications and sponsor opportunities. All volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.
Children Invited to Participate in Opening Ceremony Procession
Children are an integral component of any Christkindlmarket opening ceremony. Would your child (children) like to follow “Saint Nicholas” through Christkindlmarket Des Moines to participate in the opening ceremony?
Contact Dave Cox at [email protected] with questions and interest. We would like at most 25 children to participate.
Children and parents are invited to gather at the venue at 5:40pm on Friday, December 6, (please be on time) to receive a luminary and battery-operated candle. Please return the luminaries to a volunteer at the end of the opening ceremony if your child does not wish to take it home.