GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — It's a sure sign that the Holidays are right around the corner: The Downtown Market in Grand Rapids is preparing to host its first-ever Christkindl Markt.
Pioneer Construction is assembling 30+ custom booths that will be filled with foods and gifts come November 17th for the 26-day European-themed Christmas Markt.
The vendors will feature items made locally.
On Thursday, 13 ON YOUR SIDE visited the market to talk about how they are preparing for the event.
"We are so excited about it," said the market's general manager Karen Carpenter.
"What you're seeing here behind me, are some of our vendor stalls," she said. "This is only half of them, we have a whole another section being set up next week."
Carpenter said they wanted to bring the Christkindl Markt to Downtown Market before this year but COVID delayed it and so they are excited to open it in 2023.
"It's really going to be magical," Carpenter said.
Organizers say they're excited to bring this new festival to West Michigan.
"We encourage people to come down but then return and see what's you know, see what the next day brings and invite other friends and family," Carpenter said, adding that people will be able to visit the market while visiting for the holidays.
The Christmas Village has a beer partnership with Brewery Vivant, which is creating German-style and Christmas-inspired beer exclusively for the Markt.
The vendors will include items by and from the following:
- Sweet waffles
- Upcycled goods
- Organic skincare
- Handmade ceramics
- Unique gifts
- Organic cotton and linen accessories
- Personalized ornaments
- International artisans
The Markt will also include a state for different entertainment and partnerships with the Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Children's Museum and the Grand Rapids Symphony.
The Markt will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 to 7 p.m., and 11 to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. It will be closed on Thanksgiving.
You can find more information on their website here.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.