Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt 2026 - All Vendors

LIMITED VENDOR STALL AVAILABILITY

Since opening in 2023, the Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt has become West Michigan’s largest must-visit holiday destination, redefining family Christmas traditions across the region. This holiday season, we invite you to be part of the magic.

In 2026, the Christkindl Markt will be held for 28 days from November 18–December 24, 2026, and is forecasting 250,000 visitors and $4+ million dollars in collective vendor sales.

Event Details:

• Modeled after a traditional European Christmas Market, the Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt brings an authentic Bavarian holiday experience to Downtown Grand Rapids, with 60+ wooden vendor stalls with local, regional, and national artisan gifts, handcrafted goods, ready-to-eat foods, and pre-packaged treats.
• Gift/Product vendors average $57,000 in sales throughout the event.
• Ready-to-eat food vendors average $89,000 in sales throughout the event. 
• Pre-packaged food vendors average $70,000 in sales throughout the event. 
• A 5,000-square-foot, glass-enclosed Bavarian-style beverage hall serving Glühwein, hot cocoa, hot cider, Kinderpunsch, and an exclusively brewed Christmas beer in commemorative glassware is open daily. 
• Festive lighting, communal dining, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities create a lively atmosphere that attracts seasonal crowds and boosts vendor exposure.
• Vendors have access to on-site amenities.

APPLICATION OPEN
January 9, 2026, 11:59PM EST

APPLICATION FEE
$15

VENDOR STALL REQUEST FORM AND FEE(S)
A Vendor Stall Request Form with pricing and additional fees will be provided upon acceptance of application.

DAYS AND HOURS OF OPERATION
Vendors are required to be open and ready to sell to the public for the entire duration of the market, November 18 to December 24, 2026. 

The Christkindl Markt will operate on the following days and hours:

• Wednesday • 11am-8pm
• Thursday • 11am-9pm
• Friday • 11am-9pm
• Saturday • 10am-9pm
• Sunday • 10am-8pm
• The Christkindl Markt is closed Mondays and Tuesdays with the exception of the final week.

Modified days and hours include:

• Wednesday, November 25 • 10am-5pm
• Thursday, November 26 (Thanksgiving) • Closed
• Monday, December 21 • 11am-9pm
• Tuesday, December 22 • 11am-9pm
• Wednesday, December 23 • 11am-9pm 
• Thursday, December 24 • 10am-3pm

VENDOR APPLICATION PROCESS

• Applications to become a vendor at the 2026 Christkindl Markt are submitted on Zapp.
• The Christkindl Markt jury reviews all applications, including new and returning applicants, on a rolling basis.
• Once accepted, approved vendors will receive a Vendor Stall Request Form, including participation fees.
• Applicants must submit a Vendor Stall Request Form for each requested Vendor Stall.
• Once a vendor applicant receives confirmation of acceptance, Vendor Agreement and invoices must be returned/paid within 48 hours to guarantee participation.

Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt vendor booth pricing is market rate and in-line with comparable, highly attended, multi-week Christmas Markets. Please complete this application in full to receive our comprehensive pricing options, booth sizes and more.

VENDOR SELECTION
Please note: To maintain the integrity and uniqueness of the 2026 Christkindl Markt, vendors selected to participate will not be accepted as vendors in other 2026 Grand Rapids Downtown Market Public Markets/Events.

We are looking for vendors with products that are:

• Unique, high-quality, and memorable holiday gifts
• Handmade or crafted with care
• Inspired by traditional German/European holiday traditions

We are no longer accepting prepared food (RTE) or skincare vendors.

We do not accept applications from vendors with:

• Direct sales and multi-level marketing
• Wholesale distributors
• Products using licensed imagery and brands
• Alcoholic beverages
• Cottage food law items
• Products with hateful and divisive messages
• CBD/THC products
• Mass produced products
• Permanent Jewelry

VENDOR AMENITIES AND SERVICES PROVIDED
We can provide vendors with everything needed for a successful and stress-free holiday season:

• Both Full Time and 1-2 week Pop Up Vendor opportunities available
• Various sizes and styles of Vendor Stalls available
• Power included during event open hours
• Space heater
• Interior stall lighting
• Exterior signage (highlighting your type of product)
• After hours security
• Access to indoor restrooms
• Access to Dish Area, Cold Storage, and Water (additional fee may be required)
• Access to Outdoor Cooking Shelter (additional fee may be required)
• Access to Awning (additional fee may be required)
• Trash and recycling
• Snow removal
• Common area maintenance
• Exterior stall decor and lighting

STALL HOLIDAY DECOR
Exterior garland, lights, and decor is provided. Vendors are required to decorate the inside of their individual stalls with holiday and/or themed decor.

STALL ASSIGNMENTS
Stall location will be assigned in advance by Manager.

LOAD-IN/LOAD-OUT
Vendor check-in and load-in will begin on November 15. Vendor check-out and load-out will be held on Tuesday, December 24, 2026 from 3pm-5pm, Saturday, December 26, 2026 from 10am-5pm, and Sunday, December 27, 2026 from 10am-5pm.

MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS
The Christkindl Markt and Grand Rapids Downtown Market will promote the event and overall holiday experience through social media, paid advertising, media relations, and digital campaigns. While the marketing team often highlights key offerings, individual vendors are not guaranteed promotion of specific products.

Marketing highlights include:

• $100,000+ marketing and advertising budget.
• Organically reaching 5.9+ million individuals on social media channels throughout the event. 
• Robust public and media relations plan including media partnerships to further promote the event. 
• Partnerships with tourism organizations and influencers to provide a reach to multi-state visitors and group tours.

Click the following link to view the 2026 Christkindl Markt Rules and Regulations.

FINAL UPDATED 2026 Christkindl Rules and Regs & Vendor Info

Check your browser's pop-up blocker if hyperlink is not working. If that does not work, copy and paste the URL above.

VENDOR AMENITIES AND SERVICES PROVIDED
We can provide vendors with everything needed for a successful and stress-free holiday season:

• Both Full Time and 1-2 week Pop Up Vendor opportunities available
• Various sizes and styles of Vendor Stalls available
• Power included during event open hours
• Space heater
• Interior stall lighting
• Exterior signage (highlighting your type of product)
• After hours security
• Access to indoor restrooms
• Access to Dish Area, Cold Storage, and Water (additional fee may be required)
• Access to Outdoor Cooking Shelter (additional fee may be required)
• Access to Awning (additional fee may be required)
• Trash and recycling
• Snow removal
• Common area maintenance
• Exterior stall decor and lighting

STALL HOLIDAY DECOR
Exterior garland, lights, and decor is provided. Vendors are required to decorate the inside of their individual stalls with holiday and/or themed decor.

STALL ASSIGNMENTS
Stall location will be assigned in advance by Manager.

LOAD-IN/LOAD-OUT
Vendor check-in and load-in will begin on November 15. Vendor check-out and load-out will be held on Tuesday, December 24, 2026 from 3pm-5pm, Saturday, December 26, 2026 from 10am-5pm, and Sunday, December 27, 2026 from 10am-5pm.

Stall Deposit and Final Payment are non-refundable per conditions stated in the Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt Vendor Agreement. See Legal Agreement below for further details.