A Snowy, Storybook Night at the Des Moines Christkindlmarket
Arriving at the Des Moines Christkindlmarket with family
If you're looking for a Christmas experience that feels plucked straight from a European storybook, Des Moines has you covered. The annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines transforms the parking lot at Principal Park into a sparkling little village filled with old-world crafts, authentic foods, and twinkle lights.
This year’s market stretched over two festive weekends, December 4–7 and December 11–14. And as if on cue, snow started falling as we drove into town and didn’t stop the rest of the night. Honestly? It made everything ten times more magical.
Shopping the Old-World Market Stalls
Once we stepped inside the market, we wandered through rows of wooden vendor huts selling artisanal, hand-crafted goods inspired by a variety of European traditions. Think:
Traditional ornaments
Handmade gifts and décor
Cultural specialties
And gorgeous items you won’t find in any big-box store
Eventually our stomachs won out (as they always do) as the aromas filled the night air. Time to hunt for food.
Let’s Talk About the Food
The Christkindlmarket delivers authentic German comfort food, and we happily embraced the challenge of trying as much as possible:
Bratwurst
Raclette from Baked Cheese Haus (Mineral Point, WI) - the gooey, melty cheese fantasy of your dreams
A Bavarian pretzel with cheese
Lebkuchen, the classic German gingerbread cookie, from Sugarplums Cakes & Confections (Altoona, IA)
Roasted nuts from Sweet Treats (Jewell, IA)
And of course, no Christkindlmarket trip is complete without bringing home the signature Glühwein mug. Glühwein (“glow wine”) gets its name from the hot irons once used for mulling — now it's a cozy blend of red wine, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, citrus, sugar, and sometimes a hint of vanilla. There’s also Kinderpunsch, a family-friendly warm drink made from cranberry juice, apple cider, brown sugar, and mulling spices.
Enjoying the Bresaola Raclette from Baked Cheese Haus
An der Weihnachtsecke: The Christmas Corner
If you adore European treats, just head straight to An der Weihnachtsecke. You’ll find:
Advent calendars, Irish whisky fudge, Truffles, Mozart kugeln, Marzipan, Liquor-filled chocolates, Holiday cookies, Stollen, Stroopwafels, English tea & shortbread, Specialty jams, and German mustard & honey.
And if gifts are your love language, they also carry:
Steinbach nutcrackers, Erzgebirge-Palace smokers, Krebs Glas Lauscha ornaments, Beer steins & glassware, Austrian felt hats & pins, Krampus & St. Nick plushies, Commemorative mugs and steins, and Christkindlmarket Des Moines merchandise.
Basically… good luck walking out empty-handed.
Entertainment, Activities & Festive Fun
Beyond shopping and snacking, there’s plenty happening throughout the market:
KinderKorner activities for kids
Yuletide Hall with rotating demos and performances
Opening Ceremonies on the first Friday night
Krampuslauf (Running of the Krampi) on the first Saturday night
The Weihnachtswald (Christmas Forest) - beautifully decorated trees donated by 12 non-profits, later auctioned off
The market runs in rain or snow, so dress warm. We came prepared with layers and hand warmers… though our toes may have been a little cold.
Santa’s Rock n’ Lights at Living History Farms in Urbandale, IA
Getting There & Staying There
Parking is free and conveniently located right across the street (with dedicated handicap parking as well). The market is cashless in many areas, so plan accordingly.
We stayed six blocks away at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Des Moines Downtown, and honestly? Highly recommend. Their shuttle dropped us off directly at the entrance and gave us a card to call when we were ready to head back. Duane, our driver, was incredibly friendly — full of tips and genuinely curious about what we enjoyed. Once back at the hotel, he even pointed us toward the free hot chocolate in the lobby.
Bonus Festivity: Santa’s Rock n’ Lights
After thawing out, we drove to Santa’s Rock n’ Lights at Living History Farms in Urbandale. This one-mile Christmas light show runs November 28 through December 31, with tickets purchased online ahead of time.
It’s a synchronized, music-dancing, festive drive-thru - super fun and great for all ages. Tickets were $35 per carload (up to six people). If you’re patient - unlike me - you can snag cyber-sale pricing.
Final Thoughts
The Des Moines Christkindlmarket is warm, cozy, old-world charm wrapped in twinkle lights and sprinkled in snow. Between the food, the vendors, the entertainment, and the sheer Christmas spirit, it’s the perfect December outing.
If you’ve been to the Des Moines Christkindlmarket, I’d love to know: what was your favorite part?
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2025
