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
Post #CDM2018 Food Sale!
What’s new at CDM2018
As festival organizers, we try to bring something new or different to Christkindlmarket Des Moines each year. Check out what’s new for #CDM2018.
1. Wander to Walnut for additional food, beer and Glühwein – Due to the increase in vendors, we’ve expanded the venue to include Walnut Street, so be sure to “Wander to Walnut”.
2. Additional Glühwein serving area on Walnut Street – With an expanded venue comes an additional Glühwein serving area to help meet your demands! We will have a total of three Glühwein and two beer serving areas at Christkindlmarket Des Moines this year.
3. 33 vendors: 16 vendors serving food, 17 gift and specialty vendors (24 vendors in 2017, 14 in 2016)
4. New vendors: Brunkow Cheese of Wisconsin, Coal Ridge Crafts, DamonLayne Woodworking, On The HIll, Steinbach, Lost Planet Forge, Parlo Pizza, Ruhland’s Strudel Haus, KMachine Shed, Bratwurst Imbiss am Markt and JKafe
Bratwurst Imbiß am Markt
A new tradition in 2018 is Bratwurst Imbiss am Markt (Brat stand at the market) run by Des Moines European Heritage Association, the non-profit responsible for the production of Christkindlamarket Des Moines.
Enjoy a 1/4 lb, coarse-ground, German–style pork bratwurst grilled to perfection.
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”.
Offering: Usinger’s Bratwurst – $5, bottled water – $1
An der Weihnachtsecke: At the Christmas Corner
With just six weeks until Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2018, we’d like to help you get prepared for your visit by reminding you of our holiday store called “An der Weihnachtsecke”. In German, this means, “At the Christmas Corner”. In it, we will feature:
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2018 Commemorative Mugs
This year’s commemorative mug will be available for sale an der Weihnachtsecke and at the Glühwein/Kinderpunsch points of sale. Be sure to purchase yours before they run out. You can make a donation of $25/mug before November 28th to guarantee your mug and pick it up at the event.
For this year’s mug design, we again collaborated with German designer Sabine Voigt. She previously worked for Rolling Stone Magazine and continues to design mugs for Christmas markets around the world.
Beer Steins and Glassware
From glass to stoneware, from boot to Maß, we’ve got your beer drinking vessels covered. With a variety of price points, you’re sure to find something for the casual drinker or collector in your life. There are also several limited edition pieces available.
Thewalt Steins
Many of the steins sold at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 are original productions from original Thewalt molds. These steins are produced in the same time-honored tradition, entirely made in the Westerwald (“Western Forest”), just a few kilometers from the original Thewalt factory. Several original skilled Thewalt workers are still making these new steins. Established in 1893 and producing steins until 2009, the Thewalt factory earned global recognition with emphasis on unsurpassed quality, using only the best materials and workmanship.
Gerz & Corzelius Steins
These steins were made from molds acquired from the original factory of Paul Werner Corzelius (some of which are over 100 years old!). These steins was made just a few kilometers from the original Gerz Sessenbach and Corzelius Hoehr Grenzhausen factory sites.
European Confections
We will be offering advents calendars, German/Swiss/English chocolate, Baumkuchen, Mozart Kugeln, Asbach chocolate, a variety of marzipan confections, Pannetone, German/Danish/English cookies and stollen.
Glaszauber Lauscha
These individually hand-blown and hand-painted ornaments, lovingly made by a family-owned and operated business in Germany, are truly one of a kind. The first Christmas tree ornaments made of glass originated in their hometown of Lauscha in 1847.
Watch a video of how these ornaments are made.
Christkindlmarket Des Moines Merchandise
We had a great time working with Straub Marketing, to design our Christkindlmarket Des Moines merchandise. We will be offering totes, tumblers, knit caps, beanies, mittens and scarves.
Vendor Demonstration Schedule Announced!
With the production of Christkindlmarket Des Moines, we hope to show attendees how the items they purchase are made. To that end, we have six vendors who will also be demonstrating their craft. We hope you’re inspired!
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Andy Klindt – Chainsaw Carvings, Des Moines, IA | DEMONSTRATION
Andy is an Iowa artisan specializing in chainsaw sculpture and metal design. Fanciful, functional, or a fusion of each…watching Andy craft original pieces will delight people of all ages!
Offering: Chainsaw carvings, wooden ornaments.
Price Range: $5 – $2000
Times:
Friday, November 30: 11am – 11:30am, 12:30pm – 1pm, 3:30pm – 4pm, 5:30pm – 6pm, 7pm – 7:30pm
Saturday, December 1: 11:15am – 11:30pm, 12:30pm – 1pm, 3pm – 3:30pm, 5:30pm – 6pm, 7:45pm – 8:15pm
Sunday, December 2: 11:15am – 11:45am, 12:30pm – 1pm, 2pm – 2:30pm, 3:30pm – 3:45pm
Indianola Glass Creations, Indianola, IA | DEMONSTRATION
Step inside the world of glass. Indianola Glass Creations designs and creates one of a kind Stained and Fused Glass ornaments, suncatchers, jewelry and home decor. They will be demonstrating blown glass ornaments.
Offering: Fused Glass pendants, rings, earrings & bracelets, ornaments, suncatchers, platters, bowls, coasters & clocks. Stained Glass ornaments, panels & clocks. Blown glass ornaments. Wine bottle lamps, tealights & wind chimes.
Price Range: $5 – $100
Times:
Friday, November 30: 11:45am – 12pm, 1:45pm – 2pm, 4:30pm – 4:45pm, 7:15pm – 7:30pm
Saturday, December 1: 1:30pm – 1:45pm, 3:30pm – 3:45pm, 5:30pm – 5:45pm, 7pm – 7:15p
Sunday, December 2: 12:30pm – 12:45pm, 2:15pm – 2:30pm, 3:30pm – 3:45pm
Dakota Tinworks, Estelline, SD | DEMONSTRATION
Dakota Tinworks is a family-owned business dedicated to making and selling traditional tinware and ornaments, hand-made exclusively by tinsmith Karl-Josef Schmidt, using primarily antique, 19th century tinsmith’s tools and techniques.
Offering: Handmade tinware of all kinds: tin Christmas ornaments, tin tree tinsel, tin tree toppers, tin cookie cutters, tin biscuit cutters, tin candle holders, tin candle sconces, tin cups, and tin candle lanterns.
Price Range: $5 – $150
Times:
Friday, November 30: 12pm – 12:15pm, 1pm – 1:15pm, 2pm – 2:15pm, 3pm – 3:15pm, 4pm – 4:15pm, 5pm – 5:15pm, 6pm – 6:15pm, 7pm – 7:15pm, 8pm – 8:15pm
Saturday, December 1: 12:15pm – 12:30pm, 1:15pm – 1:30pm, 2:15pm – 2:30pm, 3:15pm – 3:30pm, 4:15pm – 4:30pm, 5:15pm – 5:30pm, 6:15pm – 6:30pm, 7:15pm – 7:30pm, 8:15pm – 8:30pm
Sunday, December 2: 12pm – 12:15pm, 1pm – 1:15pm, 2pm – 2:15pm, 3pm – 3:15pm, 4pm – 4:15pm
Quilted Gardens & Nursery, Des Moines, IA | DEMONSTRATION
Offering: Sleigh Bells, Glass ornaments, wooden ornaments, Straw ornaments, Fresh made wreaths and kissing balls, Bundles of fresh Greens, Ice Globe Kits, Holiday optic Specs, Table top Christmas trees
Price Range: $2 – $45
Times:
Friday, November 30: 11:30am – 11:45am, 1:30pm – 1:45pm, 4:15pm – 4:30pm, 6:30pm – 6:45pm
Saturday, December 1: 12:45pm – 1pm, 2:30pm – 2:45pm, 4:30pm – 4:45pm, 6:30pm – 6:45pm
Sunday, December 2: 12:15pm – 12:30pm, 1:15pm – 1:30pm,
Wild Cherry Spoon Co, Rock Island, IL | DEMONSTRATION
Wild Cherry Spoon Co creates one of a kind handcarved pieces from urban lumber.
Offering: Handcarved wooden spoons, spatulas, kitchen utensils of various styles and purposes, bottle openers, pizza cutters, ice cream scoops, pizza paddles, baguette trays and serving pieces.
Price Range: $3 – $125
Times:
Friday, November 30: 11:15am – 11:30am, 12:15pm – 12:30pm, 1:15pm – 1:30pm, 2:15pm – 2:30pm, 3:15pm – 3:30pm, 6pm – 6:15pm
Saturday, December 1: 11am – 11:15pm, 12pm – 12:15pm, 1pm – 1:15pm, 2pm – 2:15pm, 3pm – 3:15pm, 4pm – 4:15pm, 5pm – 5:15pm
Sunday, December 2: 11:45am – 12pm, 12:45pm – 1pm, 1:45pm – 2pm, 2:45pm – 3pm, 3:45pm – 4pm
Lost Planet Forge, Des Moines, IA | DEMONSTRATION
Times:
Friday, November 30: 2:30pm – 3pm, 3:30pm – 8pm
Saturday, December 1: 11:30am – 12pm, 2:30pm – 3pm, 6:30pm – 7pm
Sunday, December 2: 12pm – 12:30pm, 2:30pm – 3pm
Icy Craft Corporation | #CDM2018 Vendor
Tell us about your business
We have been in retail business for past 5 years and we focus on Christmas decorations. We do some trade shows throughout the county. The retail business has grown for us every year. We would like to expand more in this area. Since we live in Iowa, it is a great opportunity for us to support our community.
What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2018?
We reviewed on the Internet/Facebook for the past two years and we know it is going to be a great market for us.
What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2018 and why did you choose them?
We carry high quality acrylic/wood/resin decorations with music inside. They are a great product for the Christmas holiday. They are great gifts for the family and we have over 100 styles to choose from. Some candles that we carry are very colorful.
Anything else you’d like to share?
This is our first time to join the market and we are looking forward to it.
Parlo Pizza | #CDM2018 Vendor
Tell us about your business
Parlo Pizza is a mobile food caterer/concessionaire/vendor/food truck specializing in bringing authentic Neapolitan “wood-fired” pizzas to area special events, weddings, graduations, and corporate parties. Our “old world flavors” and “old school” presentation will help you to offer your guests a unique and fun opportunity.
Culinary choices abound from specially selected traditional toppings and family heirloom recipes. We speak pizza!
For Christkindlmarket Des Moines we are roasting chestnuts!!!
What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2018?
We were inspired to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2018 because roasted chestnuts are a traditional holiday season fare that can be prepared perfectly in our wood fired oven.
Old world flavors… prepared old school style!
Our recollections of strolling alpine villages near our home in Rome, Italy at Christmas time, enjoying the street vendor fare of roasted chestnuts inspired us. It made us want to bring this savory, sweet delicacy to our Iowa foodie friends and fans. The sights, the aromas, the flavors…the people!
Anything else you’d like to share?
Ciao and see you all in December!
Top of the Hill Nuts | #CDM2018 Vendor
Tell us about your business
We have done shows from craft shows to fairs, bridge festivals, Iowa state football and basketball, drake relays as well as state track as well as pumpkin festivals and farmers markets. We were fortunate to be invited to be part of the first Christkindlmarket. It is an outdoor festival with a festive appeal with a holiday flare with a bit of fall.
What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2018 and why did you choose them?
Damonlayne Woodworking | #CDM2018 Vendor
Tell us about your business
DamonLayne Woodworking is an Iowa business located in Earlham, Iowa. For the past 5 years, Damon has spent his free time working from a renovated Madison County, one-room school house to create uniquely designed cutting boards and butcher blocks that will be a focal point in your kitchen.
Working closely with customers, Damon has created unique Crimson & Gold and Black & Gold themed cutting boards. He has also created a Walnut end-grain butcher block that was made with lumber from his customer’s family farm. All Damon’s woodworking creations will easily become a stately addition to the homeowner’s kitchen.
What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2018?
The Christkindlmarket event provides a showcase for talented artisans who will display their works to tens of thousands of people. Damon is excited to be a vendor at the Des Moines 2018 event and have the opportunity to interact with customers who appreciated woodworking and quality, hand-made craftsmanship.
What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2018 and why did you choose them?
Damon will be selling cutting boards, butcher blocks, and cheese slicers. Damon’s cutting boards are made with Walnut, Cherry, and Hard Maple lumber. Often, accent pieces of Red Heart, Yellow Heart, or Purple Heart wood are included and gives his woodworking a unique and creative splash of color.
Damon chose these products because they are fun, functional, and would look great in anyone’s kitchen. These beautiful cutting boards make a great gift for the holiday season, a wedding, or a house warming gift.
