2020 Call for Performers

Des Moines European Heritage Association invites you to become a performer at the 5th Annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines taking place December 3 – 6, 2020 at Principal Park.

In its first four years, this cultural experience has attracted over 145,000 visitors.

If you have applied in the past, but were not accepted, we encourage you to complete an application each year. The programming committee takes several factors into consideration when choosing the slate of performers each year.

Performances typically seen at Christkindlmarkets include (but are not limited to): European folk music players, European folk music singers, yodeling, guitarist, accordionist, clogging, folk dancers, Scottish pipes & drums, high school choirs, children’s choirs, violinists, bell choirs, church choirs, story-tellers, brass bands, alpine horn blowers, marionette/ puppeteer, Schuhplattler Verein, vocal performances in European languages, harpists, etc.

We will provide a four-sided, forced-air heated tent at a location to be determined by the Christkindlmarket Des Moines event planning committee in Principal Park’s Main Lot. A lighted stage within the tent will be provided. The size of the stage in 2019 was 30’ x 16’.

Our performer guide will give you an overview of the needs assessment process and requirements. As soon as you fill out the needs assessment, it will be reviewed.

What is the timeline for the process?

1. Fill out the online needs assessment no later than March 15, 2020
2. Send photographs and links to audio files/videos representing your your group to [email protected]
3. Receive feedback from Christkindlmarket Des Moines staff by April 15, 2020