The holiday season is officially taking shape in downtown Grand Rapids as setup begins for one of the city’s largest holiday attractions, the Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt, at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market.
Now entering its fourth year, the Christkindl Markt is a traditional European-inspired Christmas market that has quickly become one of Grand Rapids’ most anticipated holiday traditions. Welcoming approximately a quarter of a million visitors annually during its five-week run, the event brings an authentic European Christmas village experience to the heart of downtown Grand Rapids.
Setup officially began this week, and after just three days, the Christmas village is already taking shape. Nearly all 60+ vendor huts have been installed, the Alpenglobes are in place, and the decorating team is hard at work transforming the Downtown Market into a festive holiday destination. Over the next few weeks, hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, holiday decorations, and finishing touches will bring the village to life as vendors move into their cozy Christmas spot ahead of opening day.
“This truly is the best time of year. Setup is always such a magical experience. Seeing everyone from our vendors, the community, and staff members getting excited about year four just makes Grand Rapids shine even brighter,” said Audrey West, General Manager of the Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt. West and the Christkindl Markt team have been preparing for this year’s event since the conclusion of the 2025 season, coordinating everything from vendor selection and guest experiences to entertainment, decor, and operations. “From the very beginning, even when this event was still just an idea, our team has worked so incredibly hard to bring it to life and make this season special. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or the fourth or tenth, we can’t wait to see everyone come together in a couple short weeks to make more memories and enjoy another year of this special tradition.
In 2025, the Christkindl Markt welcomed approximately 250,000 visitors from 49 of the 50 states, highlighting the event’s growing popularity and reach well beyond West Michigan. Each year, the Christkindl Markt continues to build on its success by enhancing the guest experience, celebrating authentic European holiday traditions, and introducing new ways for visitors to experience the magic of the season.
The 2026 Christkindl Markt will feature more than 60 vendors offering handcrafted gifts, specialty goods, traditional European foods, and festive beverages. Guests can enjoy seasonal favorites like Glühwein and Kinderpunsch, reserve a private heated Alpenglobe in the heart of the Christmas village, or gather with friends and family for a friendly curling competition on the second-floor terrace.
The fourth annual Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt officially opens Wednesday, November 18, and runs through Thursday, December 24, 2026, at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, located at 435 Ionia Ave SW. Admission to the Christkindl Markt is free.
For more information, including market hours, participating vendors, and specialty experiences, visit grchristmas.com.
