Name: Grand Rapids Kids
Address: Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Christmas Market Returns 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 are a Bubbles Bar and private heated Alpenglobes. Favorites from last year return, too, including 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 – bigger and better.

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

Christkindl Markt Info

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 will run Friday, November 15 to Monday, December 23, 2024.

NOTE: ChristkindlMarket Grand Rapids is closed Mondays (except December 23) 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
Christkindl Market Grand Rapids will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2024.
Modified Hours: Wednesday, November 27 • 11 AM – 5 PM, Monday, December 23 • 11 AM – 7 PM

Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt Raclette Booth

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 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 will again be brewed by Brewery Vivant. They’ll be serving up a German dark wheat beer called ‘Dünk the Halls’. Prost!

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.

Gift & Food Vendors

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

2024 vendors include:

Paige Soy Candles – 100% soy and hand-poured in Michigan
Lady Barkley’s – handcrafted pet accessories
Ian & Grace – laser-engraved wood art
Piekny Polish Pottery – hand-decorated pottery
Whimsy Brims – hand-burned hats
The Candy Store – West Michigan-owned sweets company
Great Lakes Lavender Farm

See All Vendors

INFORMATION BOOTH

General Christkindl Markt information, wayfinding, lost and found, and emergency services. Check in here for curling sheet and Alpenglobe reservations.

1. SAUSAGES & POTATO PANCAKES

Polish dogs, bratwurst, and currywurst, fresh-cut Belgian fries with curry ketchup, fried potato pancakes and more—all created by Grand Rapids’ own One Stop Coney.

2. FUDGE & CONFECTIONS

Fudging Around offers luxury confections using imported Belgian chocolate. Products include gourmet fudge, sipping chocolate, hand-painted truffle bars, and s’mores kits available for roasting on-site.

3. POTTERY HOMEGOODS

Grayling Ceramics hand makes durable mugs, bottles, bowls, platters, and other home goods inspired by the Great Lakes region.

4. GLÜHWEIN

This warm, spiced wine has a rich, aromatic, and sweet taste. The wine is heated and infused with spices such as cinnamon, cloves, star anise and orange zest. Stop here for a mug-full or a refill!

5. ORNAMENTS

Customizable souvenirs, ornaments, and gifts in all shapes and sizes by Amazing Lights. Choose from classic holiday silhouettes and characters.

6. WAFFLES

Amazing Lights hand makes Belgian waffles with fruit and other sweet toppings. Pair your treat with a cup of delicious hot chocolate!

7. HOT SOUP

A rotating menu of homemade soups and stews such as clam chowder, broccoli cheddar, goulash, and other daily selections—served in freshly-baked bread bowls.

8. CHOCOLATES & CANDIES

Bean-to-bar Zotter Chocolates in wonderful flavor combinations, filled with layers of decadent wafers, berries, and nuts. Classic Christmas Hammond Candies in 50+ fun candy flavors.

9. EUROPEAN FAVORITES

Internationally-inspired holiday gifts including Advent calendars, spiced gingerbread, sweet candies in holiday tins, and other unique confections and festive items.

10. METALSMITH JEWELRY

Artisan jewelry crafted by Paris Smith Jewelry using traditional smithing materials and techniques. Shop bracelets, earrings, pins, broaches, and more.

11. NOVELTY SOCKS & SOCK MONKEYS

Custom-made novelty crew socks and sock monkeys by Leon James. Also available: blown glass ornaments and holiday snow globes.

12. CULINARY CERAMICS

Love for Pottery makes ceramics with a purpose, to be cherished and enjoyed in the kitchen. Each piece is made with food safe glaze and is beautiful and unique in its own individual way.

13. ALPACA ACCESSORIES

Winterborn Alpaca features handmade scarves, socks, mittens, and more made from premium alpaca fleece by South American artisans.

14. POTTERY

Handmade and hand-painted earthenware pottery, including holiday ornaments, blessing bowls, and other personalized ceramic items, created with love by Heather Lane Pottery.

15. TEXTILES

European-style throws, wraps, scarves, and blankets woven from organic cotton, linen, velvet, and velour by Sofra Textiles.

16. SCANDINAVIAN FAVORITES

Specializing in high-quality products from Scandinavia and the Baltics, Nordic Dreams handmakes ceramic houses, rotary candle holders, warm woolen garments, and more.

17. SPICE-INFUSED & HAND-CRAFTED GIFTS

Spice Merchants offers herbal teas, soaps, and bath soaks steeped in specialty aromatic ingredients. Shop for unique tea and spice-infused lotions, balms, candles, honey, and beeswax products along with recycled wood items.

18. LATIN-INSPIRED WARES

Guelaguetza Designs specializes in handmade authentic clothing, toys, bags, jewelry, and ceramics made in Mexico.

19. JEWELRY

Rachel Cielo handcrafts polymer clay jewelry that is durable, lightweight, and perfect for everyday wear.

20. ORGANIC SKINCARE

Handmade and organic soaps, shampoos, balms, lotions, beard oils, and more made locally in small batches by Soap Dude Cosmetics.

21. UPCYCLED WEARABLES

Winter accessories created from post-consumer wool. Baabaazuzu uses color, pattern, and texture to create unique hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, bags, and jackets.

22. DYE-FREE CANDY

Michigan Candy Land features the self-proclaimed “best old fashioned candy in Michigan.” They showcase handmade hard candies, gummies, and Turkish lollipops, ready to enjoy.

23. FUNCTIONAL CERAMICS

Fun and functional ceramics made in the USA by PaKo Lazo Pottery. Serve cheese with ease and for zest it’s the best!

24. CRÊPES

Crepes by the Lakes offers both sweet and savory crepe creations in mouthwatering varieties, with a unique Midwest twist. Don’t forget to pair your crepe with house-made hot cider.

25. RACLETTE

Baked Cheese Haus prepares Alpine-style melted raclette served overtop a baguette and accompanied by hand-selected charcuterie and accoutrement. Pair it with hot honeycrisp apple cider!

26. GIFT SETS & DECOR

The Market Made features unique home goods including handmade concrete items, painted ornaments, macramé, planters, and other perfectly curated gift items.

27. JEWELRY & LEATHER GOODS

Marv Graff Studio specializes in handcrafted jewelry, leather handbags, macramé bracelets, and embellished vintage pieces.

28. MACARONS & CHOCOLATES

Le Macaron French Pastries creates delectable treats including macarons and other fine French delights like eclairs, napoleons, chocolates, and more.

29. ROTATING POP-UP VENDORS

30. ROTATING POP-UP VENDORS

A. JEWELRY & DECOR

The Spoon Girl makes earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, and hair pieces. Plant markers, wind chimes, sculptures, and more all made from silverware and up-cycled metal items.

B. GIFTS

Stickers, sweatshirts, stationery, cards, notepads, washi tape, keychains, pouches, and more made by Nolie Co.

C. CHILI

Jedi Chili is serving their signature award-winning smoked brisket chili, dairy free verde chicken chili, and artisan white cheddar chili mac with Frito crumble.

D. CARAMELIZED NUTS

deSoto Confections makes artisan caramelized nuts in fun flavors including maple, sweet and spicy, cardamom, vanilla, cinnamon, and other holiday varieties.

E. CARAMEL APPLES

Hand-dipped gourmet caramel apples covered in tasty sweets by Gourmet Galleria.

A. PET ACCESSORIES

Lady Barkleys creates gorgeous dog bandanas, leashes, collars, bow ties, holiday gift sets (combination of products), dog and cat print magnet sets and keychains.

B. COPPER JEWELRY

Olive & Indio makes small batch metal and mineral jewelry using an electroforming process, resulting in one of a kind adornments inspired by the simplicity of nature.

C. MINI DONUTS

Olly’s Donuts serves delicious and flavorful mini donuts—perfect for snacking (and shopping) on the go!

D. CANDLES

Candles and incense handmade in Grand Rapids, MI. Made with soy wax, and phthalate-free fragrances by Paige Soy Candles.

E. LIFESTYLE & APPAREL

Michigan Nature Co. creates handmade lifestyle and apparel items inspired by nature. Items include bath and body items, cocktail kits, candles, pillows, clothing, headwear, and more.

Show list

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

Book a Private Alpenglobe

New in 2024! Reserve a cozy Alpenglobe Experience with family, friends or co-workers. These private heated and enclosed globes offer panoramic views of the Grand Rapids Christmas market.

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.

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 2024 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.

Christkindl Markt Fire Pits — *Roasting marshmallows at Christkindl Markt*

roasting marshmallows at Christkindl Markt — *Roasting marshmallows at Christkindl Markt*

Where to Park for Christkindl Markt 2024

We’re not sure yet how the expansion will effect parking this year, but we expect this information from 2023 is still accurate.

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.