Christkindlmarket Des Moines: A German Christmas Market (2026)
It’s time for Glühwein, bratwurst, and Christmas shopping! Christkindlmarket Des Moines brings a European-style Christmas market to downtown Des Moines, with decorated vendor huts, traditional foods, handcrafted gifts, and holiday entertainment.
For 2026, the market returns for two weekends: December 3–6 and December 10–13. Admission is free.
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2026 dates and hours
First weekend
- Thursday, December 3: 5–9 p.m.
- Friday, December 4: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Saturday, December 5: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Sunday, December 6: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Second weekend
- Thursday, December 10: 5–9 p.m.
- Friday, December 11: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Saturday, December 12: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Sunday, December 13: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines, Iowa.
Visit the official Christkindlmarket Des Moines website for schedules, announcements, and updates before your trip.
More Christmas outings around Des Moines
- Dome for the Holidays: Explore an evening of lights and tropical plants at the Des Moines Botanical Garden.
- SnowGlobe at Exile Brewing: Plan a meal surrounded by Christmas decorations.
- Iowa’s best holiday markets: Discover more Christmas markets and seasonal shopping events across Iowa.
Where is Christkindlmarket Des Moines?
Christkindlmarket takes place outdoors in Lot 1 at Principal Park, home of the Iowa Cubs. The market brings German Christmas traditions and other European influences together through food, shopping, and entertainment.
Admission is free, and free parking is available in Lots 3 and 4 during market hours. Accessible parking is available in Lot 2 for vehicles displaying a valid permit.
Check the official parking page before arriving so you know which lot to use. Avoid the neighboring Ballyard Apartments lot, which is private parking.
Visit after dark for the Christmas lights
Although the market has daytime hours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, we’ve always enjoyed visiting in the evening. Once the vendor huts light up, the atmosphere changes, with the Des Moines skyline adding to the backdrop.
Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes for walking around the outdoor market. Give yourself time to browse, grab something to eat, and enjoy the lights.
Shop for gifts and come hungry
The shopping goes well beyond typical holiday decorations. The 2026 vendor lineup includes pottery, woodworking, glass art, ornaments, alpaca clothing, candles, and European Christmas specialties. Look for everything from handmade kitchen utensils to traditional nutcrackers.
Come hungry, too. This year’s offerings include bratwurst, currywurst, pierogi, soft pretzels, crêpes, Danish pastries, roasted nuts, and fresh-made stroopwafels.
Glühwein, a warm mulled wine, is a Christmas market tradition. Nonalcoholic options include Kinderpunsch and hot cocoa.
Some vendors participate during only the first or second weekend. If there’s a particular booth you want to visit, check the 2026 vendor list before choosing your date.
