2024 Call For Vendors
Iowa European Cultural Connection invites you to become a vendor at the 9th Annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines taking place December 5 – 8, 2024 at Principal Park.
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 a family-friendly experience filled with European elegance and charm.
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.
2024 Vendor Guide
2024 Vendor Application
2024 Electricity Request Form
We are interested in products typically offered at Christkindlmarkets throughout the world, which may include (but are not limited to): decorative fresh wreaths and centerpieces; one-of-a-kind handmade items; holiday ornaments of all colors, materials and sizes; nutcrackers; cuckoo clocks; beer steins; wooden toys; jewelry; wood carvings; pre-packaged 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; tea light holders; Eastern European/Slavic handcrafted gifts, such as nesting dolls and papier-mâché lacquer boxes; lace; leather products; beer and wine glasses; handwoven garments and more.
Vendor Testimonials
As a nonprofit, Christkindlmarket Des Moines is an essential event for our business year after year. We enjoy working their seasoned team of administrators in putting on an authentic, enjoyable market that has continued to grow and grow beyond our expectations. We enjoy being a part of this wonderful festival and look forward to the next one every year.
Danish Windmill
We have been involved with Christkindlmarket Des Moines since 2019 and it has exceeded our wildest expectations. Iowa has always been a strong market for us, but this was amazing. It was as the Dane’s say a Hygge time: (pronounced hoo·guh) (Hygge is about preserving happiness everyday. It is slowing down, being humble, expressing gratitude, feeling safe and connecting with loved ones.) Who wouldn’t want to spend a day with friends and Family at Christkindlmarket Des Moines. The organization of the event is well planned and the volunteers are helpful. The entertainment gets your toes tapping and the variety of vendors gives everyone an opportunity to find something unique.
The Kringle Man
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is by far my favorite market to vend at. It is a continuous celebration with live music, parades and Gluehwein. So it is a destination instead of just a market. The attendance and sales are phenomenal.
Pam Hyde Pottery
Our experience from start to finish was exceptional. As a first time vendor we were nervous but, all the information and mentoring provided by Christkindlmarket Des Moines prepared us for success. We highly recommend this event for vendors and attendees.
Rusty Stars Alpacas
Wild Cherry Spoon Co has vended across the Midwest. From popular indie craft markets in Chicago to small first time shows. Christkindlmarket 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
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 parking for unloading was easy to get to and convenient to the booth location. The volunteers were very friendly and helpful. The booths made for a great ambience, and we loved the signs! My one reservation about the event was being outside because I am not at all a fan of cold weather, but the heaters in the booths made it comfortable enough, and the crowds were terrific all weekend.
Pickle Creek Herbs
2024 Call for Performers
Iowa European Cultural Connection (IECC) invites you to become a performer at the 9th annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines taking place December 5 – December 8, 2024 at Principal Park.
Days/Times
Dec 5: 5pm – 9pm
Dec 6: 11am – 9pm
Dec 7: 11am – 9pm
Dec 8: 11am – 5pm
Yuletide Hall After Hours: Friday & Saturday from 9pm – 10pm
The quality of a traditional Christmas market depends on maintaining a high standard of programming. 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.
Yuletide Hall is a four-sided, forced-air heated tent at a location to be determined by the CDM event planning committee at Principal Park’s Main Lot. A lighted stage within the tent will be provided. The size of the stage in 2023 was 16x32x32″ tall.
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 internally.
What is the timeline for the process?
- Fill out the online needs assessment below by March 1, 2024
- REQUIRED: Send additional photographs and links to audio files/videos representing you or your group to [email protected]
- Receive feedback from CDM staff by March 15, 2024
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024 Performer Information Guide
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2024 Performer Needs Assessment
Bravo Greater Des Moines Operating Support Grant Recipient – 2024
The organizers of Christkindlmarket Des Moines are pleased to announce the receipt of a Bravo Greater Des Moines Operating Support Grant. These funds will be used to support the operational expenses of the Iowa European Cultural Connection, the nonprofit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines.
Bravo Greater Des Moines leverages community resources to maximize the impact of arts, culture and heritage to advance regional priorities. Since 2006, Bravo has awarded more than 1,200 grants to 100+ arts, culture and heritage organizations and programs, with total funding exceeding $55 million. Bravo is almost entirely funded through Hotel/Motel taxes.
Can Do Cancer – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant
The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during #CDM2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.
Can Do Cancer will be a first-time participant in CDM’s Silent Auction. As they work to improve the lives of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment in Des Moines, Ames and surrounding areas, they will also be livening up CDM’s Christmas Forest with a festive tree.
Can Do Cancer has been able to help 130 patients in 2023 with meals on infusion treatment days, house cleaning throughout active treatment, a website with practical tips and advice, and access to a fellow breast cancer survivor through their Patient Partner program. Proceeds from the Silent Auction tree will go to provide the funds needed to continue their work. On average each patient receives $1,200 in support and services.
With nearly 70 volunteers who serve as Patient Partners, they are “The Guiding Stars” who make this program work! They will be hand-painting ornaments in blues, greens, and metallics to celebrate each individual. The Patient Partner team represents a dedicated group of breast cancer survivors who give their time and experiences to provide moral support and encouragement to current cancer patients. Their commitment is invaluable to current patients and the program couldn’t do what it does without them.
Check our Can Do Cancer’s “The Guiding Stars” by visiting Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30- December 3, 2023!
Living History Farms – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant
The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during #CDM2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.
Living History Farms is a first-time decorator at CDM and enjoys the opportunity to connect with the German cultural aspects of Christkindmarket Des Moines. This working museum has a home built by Irish immigrants and a re-creation of a home from Norwegian immigrants. With a mission to connect Iowans to the many stories of our heritage, including European immigrants, Living History Farms closely aligns with CDM’s mission of education our local population about European heritage in our state.
Every admission to Living History Farms museum is heavily subsidized by donations and fundraising. They are excited to raise spirits and funds during this holiday season!
Check out Living History Farms’ tree by visiting Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30- December 3, 2023!
Self Help International – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant
The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during #CDM2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.
Self-Help International will be making their first appearance in the Christmas Forest. As an Iowa-based international non-profit, Self-Help International is dedicated to alleviating hunger in rural communities in Ghana, West Africa, and Nicaragua, Central America by helping people help themselves. They prioritize local staff and community leadership and programs to address the gaps in development by ensuring program partners have access to knowledge as well as the resources to put their knowledge into action.
Find Self-Help International’s festive tree at Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30- December 3, 2023!
Danish Brotherhood – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant
The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during #CDM2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.
The Danish Brotherhood Lodge #15 has been hard at work creating a festive Danish tree to tempt bidders. As a four-year participant, this has become an organization tradition bringing members together to celebrate Danish heritage as they craft a beautiful tree.
The Danish Brotherhood was chartered November 26, 1884 with a mission to encourage Danish tradition, support members, and other community nonprofits. Here is their tree from 2022, amazing!
Drop a bid on the Danish Brotherhood’s tree at Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30- December 3, 2023!
AFS-USA – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant
The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during #CDM2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.
AFS-USA has come back for a second year of merry-making at #CDM2023. A large portion of AFS-USA’s local exchange students are either from Germany or speak German, and by participating in Christkindlmarket Des Moines, the students get to share their culture with those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to travel to Europe to see first-hand what a holiday experience in Germany is like. In addition, AFS-USA is able to share their vision and mission with community members who might be interested in learning more about either hosting an exchange student from another country, volunteering with our organization or studying abroad.
As a non-profit organization, funds to provide our exchange students with opportunities to attend events to participate in a true “American” experience is limited. The funds from the silent auction would be used to pay admission fees to museums, sporting events, and cultural and musical productions for those students who don’t have the means to pay for those activities on their own. Here is their tree from 2022, so beautiful!
Enjoy AFS-USA’s joyful tree by visiting Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30- December 3, 2023!
Italian-American Cultural Center of Iowa – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant
The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during #CDM2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.
The Italian-American Cultural Center is returning to the CDM Silent Auction for a second year. Even though the Cultural Center has been in existence for more than 30 years, there are still people in the community who do not now about this organization and what they do. Partnering with CDM allows them to expand their outreach in the community and secure additional funds for their programming.
In addition to an educational museum, the Italian-American Cultural Center offers a variety of opportunities for individuals as well as groups to take part in programs and events including: language instruction, cooking, and folk dancing. Italian travel and cooking videos are shown as well as Italian movies. Group tours are given to students as well as adults. The Center also offers self-planned tours of Italy as well as trips to various Italian festivals around the country.
Enjoy the Italian-American Cultural Center of Iowa’s fabulous tree by visiting Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30- December 3, 2023!
Sons of Norway Marsteinen Lodge – CDM 2023 Non-Profit Silent Auction Tree Participant
The Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction will be featuring 12 Iowa non-profit organizations and their festive tree creations in our Weihnachtswald tent during #CDM2023 November 30 – December 3, 2023.
The Sons of Norway Marsteinen Lodge will be making an impressive 6th appearance in the Christmas Forest this 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. They use fundraising proceeds to support lodge programing and other non-profits in the community. Here is their tree from 2022. Isn’t it festive?
Stop by the Weihnachtswald Tent to see the Sons of Norway’s tree creation at Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30 – December 3, 2023!
