2024 Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt Now Accepting Vendor Applications

Christkindl Markt at the Downtown Market 2024

Grand Rapids, MI will once again get to experience the traditional magic of an open-air European Christmas market when November comes around again.

Plan to stop by to soak up the European charm, culinary specialties, and craftsmanship experiences of the second annual happening of the Grand Rapids Christmas market while you shop for unique artisanal holiday gifts under the holiday lights.

From November 15 – December 23, 2024, be immersed in the family-friendly atmosphere of the Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt at the Downtown Market, which is expected to have double the number of vendor booths when it opens for its second year.

Prospective vendors have until September 3, 2024 to get their applications in.

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 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!

2024 Call for Christkindl Market Vendors

Vendor applications are now open for the 2024 season.

This year, the market will be open from Friday, November 15 to Monday, December 23, 2024.

The Christkindl Markt is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

By all measures, the inaugural year for Christkindl Markt was a success:

In 2023, the Christkindl Markt was held for 26 days, and 240,000 visitors, resulting in over $2,300,000 in Christkindl Markt vendor sales. Average sales for the 26 days of the event included: 

• Average Stall Sales for Prepared Foods (including the stinky cheese booth) • $146,494
• Average Stall Sales for Prepackaged Foods • $71,591
• Average Stall Sales for Retail Goods • $66,065

400 Vendors Expected to Apply for 2024’s Christkindl Markt

With those revenue numbers, its no wonder the Downtown Market expects to have 400 or so applications come in before the September 2024 deadline.

In all, jurors are expected to select 60 vendor participants. That’s double the number of booths that were at the Christmas market in 2023.

To become a Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt vendor, start the process by filling out an application on Zapp, along with a $15 application fee. (2023 Vendor fees were $3,500 (averaging $135/day) + 11% sales. 2024 Vendor fees have not been publicized.)

The vendor application deadline is September 3, 2024.

Vendors will be juried on a rolling basis. If selected, applicants will receive a Vendor Stall Request Form, which included participation feed. If a vendor submits the Stall Request Form, they will have 7 business days to pay the vendor invoice.

Vendor Applicant Evaluation Criteria

• High quality
• Traditionally German/European
• Handmade/crafted
• Holiday gift items
• Unique

No direct sales, multi-level marketing, wholesale distributors, cottage food law items, CBD products, alcoholic beverages, products with hateful or divisive messages, or weapons will be accepted.

Services Provided to Vendors

In addition to stall space, and private security, a number of additional services are provided to vendors, included collective marketing of the event.

For more information on becoming a vendor, email [email protected], or call Kendra Larsen, Festival and Special Events Manager, at 616-805-5308.

2024 Christkindl Markt Schedule

Christkindl Markt will be open for 28 Days of festivities in 2024.

2024 Market Dates

Grand Rapids second annual Christkindl Markt is slated to run Friday, November 15 to Monday, December 23, 2024.

NOTE: The Christkindl Markt is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Open Hours

Open Wednesdays – Sundays, the market’s hours for November 15-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
• The Christkindl Market will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2024.
• Modified Hours: Wednesday, November 27 • 11am-5pm, Monday, December 23 • 11am-7pm

Featured Attractions

During the 28 days of festivities, starting on November 15, visitors can experience all that the Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt has to offer. From handmade gifts and traditional Christmas Market fare to 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.

In 2023, the exclusive Christkindl Markt holiday beer was being brewed by Brewery Vivant.

Find it all in the German Style Beverage Hall.

Live Entertainment

Live entertainment – both on the main stage and of the strolling variety – 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.

Gift & Food Vendors

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

2023 Vendors include

• Pako Lazo Pottery – handmade functional ceramics in a variety of bright colors
• Sofra Textiles – soft, hand woven fair trade tapestries
• Guelguetza Designs – authentic Mexican products
• Michigan Candyland
• Amazing Lights Belgian Waffles

• Baked Cheese Haus Alpine Style Melted Raclette – served overtop a baguette and accompanied by hand-selected charcuterie and accoutrement.

Curling Games & Curling Lessons

Curling Lessons! Event attendees can pre-book their time to enjoy winter’s favorite sport, curling.

Lessons and competitions will also be offered throughout the event.

Toasting Marshmallows and Warming Fires

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

Where to Park for Christkindl Markt 2023

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.

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

The Making of the GR Christkindl Markt

Inspired by traditional European Christmas Markets, this winter wonderland is filled with unique Christmas experiences with a splash of international flair.

European Christkindl Markt – photo: Christkindl Markt GR

Mimi Fritz, President and CEO of the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, says, “Traditional Christmas markets are holiday gathering places and destinations where we as a community can gather amongst the backdrop of music, traditional food, and holiday shopping from local and regional artisans.

“We honor the long-standing traditions of the Christkindl Markt, experienced by millions of people across hundreds of towns and villages in Europe, by selecting the finest local and regional artisans and vendors to highlight their interpretation of a German Christmas market.”

The GR Christkindl Markt team visited European markets in the 2022 holiday season to research and bring authenticity to the Grand Rapids Christmas Market.

2023 Progress Report

As of November 2, 2023, the 30+ outdoor sheds for the market are coming along and will soon be filled with custom vendors sporting waffles, soup, candied nuts, textiles, ceramics, apparel, and more!

Nov 16, 2023: The day before the markt opens! Final preparations are being made. The lights are up, the sheds are stocked, and the vendors are ready to welcome you!

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