Christkindl Markt 2024 Sleighs It: Grand Rapids Christmas Market Doubles in Size!

Christkindl Grand Rapids Christmas Market in snow Vierezma

Grand Rapids Christmas Market Returns for 3rd Year to Downtown Market

There’s nothing quite like strolling through a magical winter wonderland to get you in the holiday spirit.

Grand Rapids, MI once again gets to experience the traditional magic of an open-air European Christmas market come November.

New this year Holiday Party Packages! You can host your holiday event/office party surrounded by the magic of a European Christmas Market! Favorites from last year return, too, including private heated Alpenglobes, curling and stinky cheese.

Soak up the European charm, indulge in culinary specialties, and enjoy festive activities while you shop for unique artisanal holiday gifts under the lights. The Grand Rapids Christmas market is back for its third year – better than ever.

From November 19 – December 23, 2025, be immersed in the family-friendly atmosphere of the Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt at the Downtown Market, which will have all the festive-family fun you’ve come to expect when it opens for its third year.

grand rapids christmas market beverage hall
Entrance to Grand Rapids Christkindl Christmas Market Beverage Hall

What to Expect at Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt

Christkindl Markt at the Downtown Market (435 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids MI 49503) is an open-air Christmas Village set up just steps away from the Downtown Market’s 20 indoor food merchants and full-service restaurants.

The outdoor GR Christmas Market, trimmed with over 15,000 lights and half a mile of garland, will showcase 60+ artisan gift and food vendors, live holiday entertainment, and festive family fun.

And of course, there will be the famous Christmas Market treat, Gluhwein!

Christkindl Markt Grand Rapids gluwein bar

2025 Christkindl Markt Schedule

Christkindl Markt will be open for 26 days of festivities in 2025.

2025 Market Dates

Grand Rapids third annual Christkindl Markt will run Wednesday, November 19 to Tuesday, December 23, 2025.

NOTE: ChristkindlMarket Grand Rapids is closed Mondays and Tuesdays (except December 23).

GR Christkindl Markt at night
GR Christkindl Markt at night

Open Hours

Open Wednesdays – Sundays, the market’s hours for November 19 – December 23 are:

  • Wednesdays, 11 AM – 7 PM
  • Thursdays, 11 AM – 7 PM
  • Fridays, 11 AM – 9 PM
  • Saturdays, 10 AM – 9 PM
  • Sundays, 10 AM – 7 PM
  • Christkindl Market Grand Rapids will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 2025.
  • Modified Hours: Wednesday, November 26 • 11 AM – 5 PM, Tuesday, December 23 • 11 AM – 7 PM
Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt Raclette Booth

During the 26 days of festivities, starting on November 19, visitors can experience all that the Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt has to offer. From handmade gifts and traditional Christmas Market fare to curling and live entertainment – there’s something for everyone.

Bavarian-style Beverage Hall

Get your mug ready!

The 5,000 square foot glass-enclosed German-style beverage hall serves up mugs of Glühwein (mulled red wine) in addition to steins of German style beer, hot chocolate, hot cider, and other hot beverage options.

Christkindl Markt Grand Rapids 2023
GR’s Beverage Hall – 2023

In 2024, the exclusive Christkindl Markt holiday beer was brewed by Brewery Vivant. They served up a German dark wheat beer called ‘Dünk the Halls’. Prost! Updated info for 2025 will be posted as soon as we know more details.

Find it all in the German-Style Beverage Hall.

2024 Glassware Collection Revealed

The 2024 Commemorative Glassware Collection ensures that whatever you’re drinking, you’re doing it in style.

Christkindl Markt Glassware Collection
📷 : Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt

Live Entertainment

Strolling live entertainment will feature holiday music and local talent on a daily basis.

Oompah Bands, Alp Horns and many local groups perform over the market’s open days.

Live Entertainment at CHristkindl Markt

Gift & Food Vendors

Unique vendor booths, decked out in traditional décor, offer both handmade gifts and traditional Christmas Market fare.

2024 vendors included:

Amazing Lights Belgian Waffles
Amazing Lights Belgian Waffles
  • The return of the stinky cheese! Baked Cheese Haus will again be serving their much talked-about Alpine Style Melted Raclette – served overtop a baguette and accompanied by hand-selected charcuterie and accoutrement.
Baked Cheese Haus Alpine Style Melted Raclette

Holiday Party Packages – New This Year

New for 2025, host your holiday party at the Christkindl Markt! Their new private party packages offer festive get-together options surrounded by the magic of a European Christmas market.

Multiple package options to choose from:
– Experience curling with twilight views from the second floor terrace
– Banquet Room setup for an indoor snow ball soirée
– Book all six private Alpenglobes for your party to enjoy

Christkindl Grand Rapids Christmas Market in snow Vierezma

Book a Private Alpenglobe

Reserve a cozy Alpenglobe Experience for up to eight family, friends or co-workers. These private heated and enclosed globes offer panoramic views of the Grand Rapids Christmas market.

📷 : Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt

Reservations are for three hours. Enjoy food and beverage add-ons and come and go as you please.

Hit the Ice For a Game of Curling

Pre-book a time to enjoy winter’s favorite sport, curling, with friends and family.

Reservation includes 38 foot synthetic “ice” curling sheet and eight curling stones. Recommended for groups of up to eight.

Curling at GR Christkindl Markt

Kids Crafts & Events

Kids will also have their own indoor area for take-home holiday arts and crafts and other activities.

Children’s activities will include visits from Santa, a North Pole mailbox, and various children’s themed stage entertainment.

Santa Visits

Santa (and maybe even Mrs. Claus!) will be on-site throughout the duration of the GR Christmas Market.

The 2025 schedule hasn’t been released yet. But keep on an eye on the entertainment schedule for announcements.

📷 : Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt Facebook

Toasting Marshmallows and Warming Fires

Rest your feet for a bit and warm up by one of the warming fires — and roast marshmallows while you’re at it.

Where to Park for Christkindl Markt 2025

Limited parking is available in the Downtown Market Parking lot. The first 30 minutes are free, after that, the rate is $3 per 30 minutes.

An easy alternative is to park across the street in the McConnell Lot. This lot has two levels. The parking rate here is $1/hour. This is where we recommend Christkindl Markt patrons park.

Where-to-Park-for-Christkindl-Markt-GR Map
Where-to-Park-for-Christkindl-Markt-GR-Lot-Photo
McConnell – Ionia Parking Lots

If these lots are full, parking at a nearby DASH bus lot and using the free shuttle is also a great option.

Get in the Holiday Spirit at the 2025 Christkindl Markt Grand Rapids

From beer to bubbles and curling to carolers, the Christkindl Markt at Downtown Market is sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

Head there for shopping with friends, a fun date-night, or for a festive night out with your family.

GR Christkindl Markt at night

7 thoughts on “Christkindl Markt 2024 Sleighs It: Grand Rapids Christmas Market Doubles in Size!”

  1. I’m from a large family that founded Grand Rapids’ history. My Father’s Parents were Przekopowski (Father) and Zukowski (his mother)

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *