Christkindlmarket Des Moines Expands to Two Weekends
The European cultural experience the community has come to know and love is expanding to two weekends for twice the fun
DES MOINES, March 31, 2025 – The dates for Christkindlmarket Des Moines (CDM) 2025 have been announced by the Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC) for Dec 4 – 7 and Dec 11 – 14, 2025 at Principal Park. With the community’s support, CDM has grown to become the second largest Christkindlmarket in the U.S. based on average daily attendance. Due to its continued success, CDM2025 will expand to include the first two weekends of December with more amazing activities, vendors and performers.
“We’re thrilled to announce the impact of the momentum we’ve been building over the past nine years we’ve been producing the Festival”, Suzanne Hull the Director of Christkindlmarket Des Moines explains. “2025 will be our 10th Festival and we couldn’t think of a better way to thank our community for their support than by listening to their wishes and expanding the Festival’s duration. Special thanks to the CDM leadership team, sponsors, donors, nonprofit partners, vendors and volunteers for helping us get to where we are today. You truly make the sights, sounds, smells and flavors of the holiday season come to life for the masses!”
Visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines to enjoy the holiday season as you participate in a 750-year-old tradition. Shop regional vendors selling old-world, hand-crafted products from wooden vendor stalls; enjoy lively performances of polka music, traditional dance and choirs in Yuletide Hall; participate in children’s activities; sip Glühwein (warm, mulled wine) and savor European beer.
The festival is open to the public free of charge:
| Thu, Dec 4, 5pm – 9pm Fri, Dec 5: 11am – 9pm Sat, Dec 6: 11am – 9pm Sun, Dec 7: 11am – 5pm | Thu, Dec 11, 5pm – 9pm Fri, Dec 12: 11am – 9pm Sat, Dec 13: 11am – 9pm Sun, Dec 14: 11am – 5pm |
IECC is always looking for enthusiastic nonprofits, 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 our nonprofit partnership program, volunteering, vendor applications and sponsor opportunities. All volunteers must be at least 16 years of age.
2023 Christkindlmarket Des Moines Christkind Application
Welcome! We appreciate your interest in applying to be the 2023 Christkind at Christkindlmarket Des Moines (CDM) taking place Nov 30 – Dec 3, 2023 at Principal Park. Please complete this application PRIOR to your interview. You will receive a confirmation email with additional details upon successful application submission. We are pleased to offer a $300 scholarship to this year’s Christkind. Learn more about the Christkind and its history.
IMPORTANT DATES:
• Application Deadline: October 1, 2023
• Interviews Held: Week of October 7, 2023
• 2023 Christkind Announcement: October 15, 2023
Click here to complete this official online application
Note: CDM will provide the costume, wig and accessories; Christkind can wear their own shoes.
To be eligible to be the 2023 Christkind, all of the following criteria must be met:
• Must be at least 16 years of age by December 31, 2023, and no more than 22 years of age before January 5, 2024
• A resident of Iowa (or attending an Iowa-based school/university) able to provide verification of residence and/or enrollment
• A student in high school or enrolled as a full-time student (minimum 12 units) in any accredited school or college in Iowa
• Possess at least a 2.0 grade point average in both the current and previous years’ course work and able to provide verification
• Available to participate in-person or via video during scheduled interview
• Must be able to memorize and recite opening ceremony proclamation in front of 200 people without visual or auditory aid
• Must enjoy working with others and talking with the public, including children of all ages
• Must be able to provide own transportation to and from appearances
• Available to attend the following functions/appearances as the 2023 Christkind
5:30pm – 7:30pm, December 1, 2023 | Opening Ceremony
2pm – 4pm, December 2, 2023 | CDM appearance
2pm – 4pm, December 3, 2023 | CDM appearance
Event Planning and Production Intern
| Organization: | Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC) |
| Job Type/Description: | Event Planning and Production Intern, Christkindlmarket Des Moines (Remote) |
| Start/End Dates: | 1Apr2022 – 15Dec2022 |
| Schedule: | Monday – Friday, some evenings for optional, scheduled online meetings |
| Time Commitment: | Approximately 5 hours/week, scaling up to optional 8hrs/day during the festival and set up/tear down |
| Compensation: | Unpaid |
| Location: | Remote. Optional on-site support during the festival and set up/tear down: 28Nov2022 – 5Dec2022 |
You could be the next intern with Christkindlmarket Des Moines!
Who we are: The mission of IECC is to connect Iowans with European traditions, language learning and cultural experiences. Our signature event is Christkindlmarket Des Moines (CDM).
Inspired by a European tradition, Christkindlmarket Des Moines provides an outdoor venue for vendors to sell European handcrafted wares, foods and beverages from traditional wooden huts. Attendees learn about European culture through children’s activities, demonstrations & live entertainment. Since it began in 2016, CDM has grown to become the second largest festival of its kind in the US (based on average daily attendance). The popular outdoor event takes place at Principal Park’s Main Lot.
Here is your chance to build on your skills and turn what you’ve learned into support for a large-scale special event.
General Responsibilities
- Support all aspects of organizing the USs’ second largest holiday market on-site (optional) and virtually
- Assist with activities related to event planning and coordination, for example, the logistics behind the scenes, organizing entertainment for the market, and performing important administrative tasks
- Event marketing activities such as media outreach, graphic design and social media assistance
- Sponsorship research
- Optional on-site market support, including interacting with visitors, assisting with the support of vendor’s needs, and helping to prepare the venue for attendee experiences and performances
- Interact with visitors and attendees in person (optional) and virtually
Candidates should possess the following:
- Creativity, organization skills and attention to detail
- Good work ethic, ability to multi-task, positive attitude
- Ability to work in a deadline-driven environment
- Strong research, communication, and organizational skills (verbal and written)
- Strong interest in full-cycle event planning and behind the scenes logistics
- Good knowledge of Microsoft office programs, Dropbox, Google Drive and MailChimp are of advantage
- Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign are of advantage
- Strong customer service skills
This Internship will offer you the opportunity to become more familiar with large-scale, outdoor festival planning and production, working with external vendors, sponsors and volunteers. We hope you will help Christkindlmarket Des Moines deliver magic for the holidays!
To apply: Send resume to christkindlmarketdsm@gmail.com along with one long-form writing sample (press release, blog post, etc.) and 5 short-form writing samples (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram posts).
What is Feuerzangenbowle?
We enjoy bringing European culture to Christkindlmarket Des Moines!
We’re featuring a Feuerzangenbowle mug in An der Weihnachtsecke (Christkindlmarket Des Moines store). A rum-soaked sugar cube sits over the handle. Once lit, the caramelized sugar flows straight into your Glühwein!
Feuerzangenbowle is a traditional German alcoholic drink in which a rum-soaked sugarloaf is set on fire and drips into mulled wine. It is often part of a Christmas or New Year’s Eve tradition. The name translates literally as fire-tongs punch. Our Feuerzangenbowle mug allows for a single serving of this holiday tradition!
Feuerzangenbowle (click here for a recipe) is prepared in a bowl, similar to a fondue set, which usually is suspended over a small burner (rechaud). The bowl is filled with heated dry red wine spiced with cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise and orange peel, similar to mulled wine. The Feuerzange was originally a pair of tongs, but nowadays it is common for a purpose-designed metal grate mounted on top of the bowl to hold the Zuckerhut (sugarloaf), a 250-gram (9 oz) lump of sugar. The sugar is soaked with rum and set alight, melting and caramelizing. More rum is poured with a ladle until all the sugar has melted and mixed with the wine. For some the ceremony is more important than the drink itself, celebrating the gathering of friends and conveying a notion of Gemütlichkeit.
Tour Christmas Markets via DMEHA in 2021
CHRISTMAS MARKETS
December 6-13, 2021
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.
Highlights:
Prague tour & Christmas markets; Cesky Krumlov tour & Christmas market;
Vienna tour & Christmas markets; Schloss Hof tour & Christmas market;
Bratislava tour & Christmas markets, Budapest tour & Christmas markets
Download Brochure
Download Registration Form
Join us for a virtual travel show on May 22 to learn more about the trip. Register here.
Lithia VW of Des Moines: Exclusive and Official Printing Partner of the Limited Edition, Commemorative “Weihnachtszeit Magazin”
The idea of a keepsake holiday magazine from Christkindlmarket Des Moines (CDM) has been around for a couple of years.
To create a more complete holiday experience in 2020, we have created and published CDM’s very first Weihnachtszeit Magazin (Christmastime magazine). This English-language magazine includes the history of European Christmas markets, Des Moines’ fascination with CDM, recipes, first-hand stories of visits to European Christkindlmarkets along with market culture and etiquette.
Thanks to the generous support of Lithia VW of Des Moines, we are offering this print publication FREE to the first 2000 customers of the CDM Curbside online marketplace. Place an order with any of our vendors and you will receive this historic, keepsake issue.
Through this collaboration, Lithia VW of Des Moines continues its commitment to strengthen and grow Des Moines’ cultural offerings and add to the quality of life that makes Iowa so special.
#CDMCurbside Gift Guide | Traditional Christmas Stollen
Use this guide to find gift ideas from “an der Weihnachtsecke”, our CDM Curbside online store within the CDM Curbside online marketplace of vendors.
Originally from Saxony, Germany this Christmas specialty is a long, shallow, yeasted cake packed with spices, dried fruit and nuts with a thick roll of marzipan in the middle. Discover these delicious stollen which are perfect for sharing.
Kuchenmeister’s Butter Almond Stollen, $13
Finest ingredients like butter, almonds, raisins and candied fruit give this stollen its typical Christmas flavor.
Kuchenmeister’s Christollen, $10
Kuchenmeister Christmas tollen is a specialty and is baked for generations based on a traditional recipe. Popular in this classical way it is filled with raisins and candied fruit.
Kuchenmeister’s Luxury Marzipan Stollen, $11
Based on a traditional recipe and filled with moist marzipan. Raisins and candied fruit add the finishing touch to this classic stollen.
Kuchenmeister’s Orange Stollen, $8
Baked with a scrumptious sprinkling of raisins, candied orange and lemon peels and marzipan filling infused into rich bread and covered in powdered sugar.
Kuchenmeister’s Rum Stollen, $11
Kuchenmeister’s ready made cakes are a delight for the afternoon or as after-dinner dessert. Made with the finest ingredients and over 100 years of baking experience, this rum cake is destined to please your palate.
Kuchenmeister’s Black Forest Cherry Brandy Stollen, $17
The Black Forest Stollen features cherries and other authentic ingredients destined to please your palate.
Travel Show: Visit European Christmas Markets in 2020 via DMEHA
Learn more about visiting European Christmas Markets via an organized tour in 2020. Deadline to reserve to attend this event: April 17, 2020
About this Event
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:
- Prague walking tour and Christmas Markets
- Walking tour of Cesky Krumlov and time at the Christmas Markets
- Vienna walking tour and Christmas Markets
- Schloss Hof tour and Christmas Market
- Walking tour of Bratislava and time at the Christmas Markets
- Budapest city tour and Christmas Markets
Download the complete brochure
Download the registration form
We hope you can join in the fun. Space is limited, so reserve today!
Visit European Christmas Markets in 2020 with DMEHA
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:
Prague walking tour and Christmas Markets
Walking tour of Cesky Krumlov and time at the Christmas Markets
Vienna walking tour and Christmas Markets
Schloss Hof tour and Christmas Market
Walking tour of Bratislava and time at the Christmas Markets
Budapest city tour and Christmas Markets
Download the complete brochure
Download the registration form
We hope you can join in the fun. Space is limited, so reserve today!
2019 Christkindlmarket Des Moines Christkind Application
Welcome! We appreciate your interest in applying to be the 2019 Christkind at Christkindlmarket Des Moines (CDM) taking place December 6 – 8, 2019 at Principal Park. Please complete the 2019 application PRIOR to your interview. You will receive a confirmation email with additional details upon successful application submission. Learn more about the Christkind and its history.
IMPORTANT DATES:
• Application Deadline: September 15, 2019
• Interviews Held: Week of September 23, 2019
• 2019 Christkind Announcement: October 1, 2019
To Apply
- Register and complete this official online application
- Please email video of applicant reading opening ceremony proclamation to christkindlmarketdsm@gmail.com
- Please email headshot of applicant to christkindlmarketdsm@gmail.com
Note: CDM will provide the costume, wig and accessories; Christkind can wear their own shoes.
To be eligible to be the 2019 Christkind, all of the following criteria must be met:
Must be at least 16 years of age by December 31, 2019, and no more than 22 years of age before January 5, 2020
A resident of Iowa (or attending an Iowa-based school/university) able to provide verification of residence and/or enrollment
A student in high school or enrolled as a full-time student (minimum 12 units) in any accredited school or college in Iowa
Possess at least a 2.0 grade point average in both the current and previous years’ course work and able to provide verification
Available to participate in-person or via video during scheduled interview
Must be able to memorize and recite opening ceremony proclamation in front of 2,500 people without visual or auditory aid
Must enjoy working with others and talking with the public, including children of all ages
Must be able to provide own transportation to and from appearances
Available to attend the following functions/appearances as the 2019 Christkind
6pm – 8pm, December 5, 2019 | ‘Twas the Night Before #CDM2019 Preview Event
5:30pm – 7:30pm, December 6, 2019 | Opening Ceremony
2pm – 4pm, December 7, 2019 | CDM appearance
2pm – 4pm, December 8, 2019 | CDM appearance
Please fill out and submit this application; all fields with red asterisks (*) are required.