Christkindl Markt’s 2025 season was its third at Grand Rapids’ Downtown Market. The 26-day event leading up to Christmas offered specialty gift shops and food vendors. According to the market’s general manager, Audrey West, the event was a huge success.
“We had about 250,000 visitors at our 2025 event, which is around 15,000 more guests than 2024, and we saw 49 of the 50 states come to visit.”
The Christkindl Markt’s collectable mugs were in high demand. Over 60,000 of the new 2025 mugs were sold. The event-exclusive mugs are custom-made in Germany and take nearly a year to arrive in Grand Rapids.
“We had really great feedback about our 2025 mugs, especially those green ones. Those sold out near the end of our event.”
West says the 63 food and gift vendors earned more than $4 million in combined sales. That’s a $500,000 increase from 2024.
Officials are already planning this year’s event, with a new mug design, adding new vendors and extended hours.
“We really take our guest feedback into consideration in our planning, so really trying to make sure each stall stays curated with a specific focus and something that you would genuinely see at a European Christmas market.”
Organizers are currently accepting vendor applications for the 2026 season.
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