Category Archive Events

BySuzanne Hull

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 in the Entrance of the venue at 5:40pm on Friday, December 1, (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.

BySuzanne Hull

Krampuslauf (Running of the Krampi) at #CDM2023

Krampi handlers and those participating in costume are asked to reserve a free ticket.

Help us celebrate Krampusnacht (Krampus Night, traditionally observed on December 5) a few days early with a Krampus parade at Christkindlmarket Des Moines on Saturday, December 2 starting at 6:30pm

A Krampuslauf (Running of the Krampuses) is a fun run or walk of celebrants dressed as the wicked beast. Dust off your Krampus costume and parade through the festival grounds. Led by Saint Nicholas and your handlers, take a turn through the Christkindlmarket Des Moines venue portraying traditional (and family-friendly) Krampi.

Where the parade takes you after Christkindlmarket Des Moines is up to you and your handlers. But do let the merriment continue!

Who is Krampus?

Hear the proper pronunciation: Krampus is pronounced “krohm-poo-s” as in “con & puss,” NOT “kram-puh-s” as in “campus.

Krampus | Wikipedia

• Video: Top 5 Krampus Facts and Origin

• Video: Krampus parade in Hollabrunn, Austria

• Video: Who Is Krampus? | National Geographic

Don’t have a Krampus costume? Here are a few resources:

https://www.krampusmasks.com/

https://www.etsy.com/market/krampus_costume

http://krampuslosangeles.com/austrian-suits-masks-for-sale/

• Amazon: http://ow.ly/G15B50u3HDn

BySuzanne Hull

Host Your Holiday Party in Yuletide Hall at Christkindlmarket Des Moines

‘Tis the season for celebrating! Your reserved table in Yuletide Hall (heated entertainment tent) comes with drink tickets and souvenirs.

Reserve an 8-person table in Yuletide Hall at Christkindlmarket Des Moines on Thursday, November 30 OR Sunday, December 3, 2023 and get into the holiday spirit as you enjoy performances by the Jim Kucera Band on Thursday and Metro Brass Quintet/Greater Des Moines Adult Flute Choir on Sunday. Perfect for families, social club outings, corporate holiday parties, volunteer appreciation outings, social hours, etc.

Each ticket comes with the following:

  1. A reserved 8-person table in Yuletide Hall, our heated entertainment tent at Christkindlmarket Des Moines (CDM)
  2. 2 drink tickets PER PERSON that can be used for Glühwein (warm mulled wine), Kinderpunsch (warm mulled cider), craft beer, European beer, or water
  3. A 2023 commemorative Glühwein mug OR 2023 commemorative .5L acrylic stein PER PERSON
  4. A 2023 commemorative pin OR 2023 commemorative ornament PER PERSON

Choose from the following seatings on Thursday, November 30, 2023:

  • 5pm – 7pm
  • 7pm – 9pm

Choose from the following seating on Sunday, December 3, 2023:

  • 11am – 1pm
  • 1pm – 3pm
  • 3pm – 5pm

Early bird pricing per table now through October 1, 2023: $225

Pricing per table after October 1, 2023: $250

Your purchase will support the Iowa European Cultural Connection, the 501c3 tax-exempt non-profit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines.

ByMelissa Mootz

Iowa Afterschool Alliance

The Christkindlmarket Silent Auction has twelve Iowa non-profit organizations thrilled to present festive tree creations for our market patrons. The Iowa Afterschool Alliance will be joining Chriskindlmarket for their first time with a “This is Afterschool” tree. Preschool through 5th grade children in afterschool programs will showcase their artistic skills crafting a one-of-a-kind showstopper.

Iowa Afterschool Alliance develops strong statewide systems of support to provide high- quality activities and experiences to youth in before school, after school, and summer programming. These programs keep young people safe, provide childcare for working families, and organize activities that help youth develop skills and improve academically. Our vision is to give all Iowa children and youth access to quality afterschool and summer learning opportunities in their community!!

Join us at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2022 December 1st – 4th. Bidding is available via text and online at event.gives/cdm2022 starting December 1st at 5pm. For more information on Iowa Afterschool Alliance, please visit their website.

ByMelissa Mootz

Daughters of Norway

The Christkindlmarket Silent Auction has twelve Iowa non-profit organizations thrilled to present festive tree creations to our market patrons. The Daughters of Norway have been busy collecting their nisse for “It’s A Gnome World After All” tree. Coming out of Nordic Folklore, gnomes are depicted as quirky short, bearded good luck charms, but they can be a little tricky if you’re not on your best behavior. The tree will also include traditional Scandinavian decorations including bunads.

Eva Nansen Lodge 46 became the first Iowa lodge to bear the name Daughters of Norway on November 5, 2006 with forty-six charter members representing Norway, Denmark, and Sweden ancestries. Membership is available not only to Norwegians, but women with Danish, Swedish, Finnish, and Icelandic connections. The Lodge Sisters pride themselves in offering educational and festive events, cultural programs and activities, and social gatherings. Lifelong Nordic friendships have developed while sharing common interests.

Join us at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2022 December 1st – 4th. Bidding is available via text and online at event.gives/cdm2022 starting December 1st at 5pm. For more information on Daughters of Norway, please visit their website.

ByMelissa Mootz

Sons of Norway Marsteinen Lodge

The Christkindlmarket Silent Auction has twelve Iowa non-profit organizations thrilled to present festive tree creations for our market patrons.The Sons of Norway Marsteinen Lodge will be creating a “Stars and Hearts” tree. Many of the decorations are handmade by Lodge members. The tree will also be loaded with other decorations and wishes for your joy and peace at this beautiful time of year.

Sons of Norway has been in existence for 126 years and the Marsteinen Lodge, located in Des Moines, has been around for 37 of those. They are dedicated to keeping the Norwegian culture alive and membership consists of those who have Norwegian ancestry and anyone who has an interest in the culture. The Marsteinen Lodge usually has a potluck dinner at the December meeting followed by singing and dancing around the Christmas tree. The children attending are treated to a visit from the Nisse bringing small gifts.

Join us at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2022 December 1st – 4th. Bidding is available via text and online at event.gives/cdm2022 starting December 1st at 5pm. For more information on Sons of Norway Marsteinen Lodge, please visit their website.

ByMelissa Mootz

AFS Intercultural Programs USA

The Christkindlmarket Silent Auction has twelve Iowa non-profit organizations thrilled to present festive tree creations for our market patrons. AFS Intercultural Programs USA is another first-time participant at CDM 2022. They will be “Celebrating Around the World with AFS” decorating their tree with colors and ornaments representing hosted students, host families, and volunteers.

AFS-USA empowers people to become globally engaged citizens by delivering meaningful intercultural experiences that provide the knowledge and skills needed to help create a more just and peaceful world. In addition to tree decorating, they are celebrating their 75th Year of Exchange!

Join us at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2022 December 1 st – 4 th . Bidding is available via text and online at event.gives/cdm2022 starting December 1 st at 5pm. For more information on AFS Intercultural Programs USA, please visit their website.

ByMelissa Mootz

IECC – Iowa Kinder/Samstagsschule

The Christkindlmarket Silent Auction has twelve Iowa non-profit organizations thrilled to present festive tree creations to our market patrons. Iowa European Cultural Connection’s Samstagsschule will be brightening the Silent Auction with their “Lasst uns froh und munter sein” tree! “Let us be happy and Cheerful” is a German children’s Christmas carol traditionally sung during Advent on December 5th , the evening before Saint Nicholas Day. Children place their freshly cleaned winter boots outside the door in the evening and wake to find the boots filled with chocolates, gingerbread, nuts and oranges. Offering immersive German classes to ages two and up, from beginners to heritage speakers, IECC Kinder Samstagsschule strives to provide opportunities for kids to have fun while learning German language and culture.

Join us at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2022 December 1st – 4th. Bidding is available via text and online at event.gives/cdm2022 starting December 1st at 5pm. For more information on IECC-Iowa Kinder Samstagsschule, please visit their website.

ByMelissa Mootz

Veterans In Agriculture

The Christkindlmarket Silent Auction has twelve Iowa non-profit organizations thrilled to present festive tree creations to our market patrons. Take a moment this holiday season to “Celebrate the Farm” with Veterans in Agriculture.

Trimmed with fabric animals you would find on the farm this tree gives a nod to agriculture. With 46% of the Nation’s military from rural America, service members have a tremendous amount of knowledge about agriculture. Gold, red, white, and blue ornaments will adorn the tree to represent the active military and veterans we serve. Veterans in Agriculture received nonprofit status in 2014 and have used their work to empower veterans to thrive in agriculture.

Join us at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2022 December 1st – 4th. Bidding is available via text and online at event.gives/cdm2022 starting December 1 st at 5pm. For more information on Veterans in Agriculture, please visit their website.

ByMelissa Mootz

Mosaic in Central Iowa

The Christkindlmarket Silent Auction has twelve Iowa non-profit organizations thrilled to present festive tree creations to our market patrons. Mosaic in Central Iowa is joining us for a second year with their tree “Powered by Connection.” Along with decorating a Silent Auction tree, Mosaic volunteers alongside partner organizations throughout the holidays.

Mosaic was formed in 2003 from the consolidation of two Nebraska-born Lutheran ministries dedicated to the needs of people with disabilities. It is their mission to relentlessly pursue opportunities to empower people.

Join us at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2022 December 1 st – 4 th . Bidding is available via text and online at event.gives/cdm2022 starting December 1 st at 5pm. For more information on Mosaic in Central Iowa and volunteer opportunities, please visit their website.