Culture
Learn about European culture through this 700 year old holiday tradition

Food
Enjoy bratwurst, candied nuts and authentic German foods.

Kid (and Pet) - Friendly
Visit the KinderKorner where your kids can hear stories, sing songs, and participate in other cultural activities.

Shopping
Select from old-world, artisinal, hand-crafted products representing various European cultures

Gluhwein
Christmas markets aren't the same without warm, mulled-wine enjoyed out of a commemorative, keepsake mug!

Schedule:

Thursday December 4, 2025

5pm Festival opens

6 – 9pm Yuletide Hall: The Schnitzel Brothers Bier Band

9pm Festival closes

Friday  December 5, 2025

11am – 12pm Yuletide Hall: Des Moines Festival Brass

11am Festival opens

12:30 – 2:30pm Yuletide Hall: Polka Police

3 – 5:30pm Yuletide Hall: New Jolly Germans Band

5 – 9pm Wandering Greens Portable Mini Golf in the Christkindlmarkettreff

5:30 – 7:30pm St. Nick and the Christkind visit CDM

6 – 6:30pm Yuletide Hall: Opening Ceremony

6:30 – 9pm Yuletide Hall: Malek's Fishermen Band

9pm Festival closes

Saturday  December 6, 2025

11am – 9pm Wandering Greens Portable Mini Golf in the Christkindlmarkettreff

11am – 1pm Yuletide Hall: Metro Brass Quintet

11am Festival opens

1 – 1:30pm Yuletide Hall: Greater Des Moines Flute Choir

2 – 4pm St. Nick and the Christkind visit CDM

2 – 2:30pm Yuletide Hall: S.G. Edelweiss - St. Paul

3 – 3:30pm Yuletide Hall: Wagner Summer Theater Youth Vocal Group

4 – 4:30pm Yuletide Hall: S.G. Edelweiss - St. Paul

5 – 5:30pm Yuletide Hall: Heartland Youth Choir

5:30 – 6pm Yuletide Hall: S.G. Edelweiss - St. Paul

6 – 7pm Strolling Performer: Top Hat Carolers

6:30 – 9pm Yuletide Hall: Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen

6:30 – 7:30pm Krampus Parade

9pm Festival closes

Sunday December 7, 2025

11am – 12pm Yuletide Hall: Betrunken Messing

11am Festival opens

12 – 12:30pm Yuletide Hall: MacKenzie Highlanders of Iowa Pipes and Drum Band

12:30 – 1pm Yuletide Hall: S.G. Edelweiss - St. Paul

1:30 – 2pm Yuletide Hall: Foy School of Irish Dance

2 – 4pm St. Nick and the Christkind visit CDM

2 – 2:30pm Yuletide Hall: S.G. Edelweiss - St. Paul

2:30 – 5pm Yuletide Hall: Waxies Dargle

5pm Festival closes

Thursday December 11, 2025

5pm Festival opens

6 – 9pm Yuletide Hall: Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen

9pm Festival closes

Friday  December 12, 2025

11am Festival opens

11:30am – 2:30pm Yuletide Hall: Stu Ryan O'Brien Pub Band

3 – 6pm Yuletide Hall: New Jolly Germans Band

6 – 9pm Yuletide Hall: Malek's Fishermen Band

9pm Festival closes

Saturday  December 13, 2025

10:30 – 11:30am Breakfast with St. Nick

11am Festival opens

11:30am – 1:30pm Yuletide Hall: Metro Brass Quintet

2 – 4pm St. Nick and the Christkind visit CDM

2 – 2:30pm Yuletide Hall: Heartland Youth Choir

3 – 4pm Yuletide Hall: Des Moines Festival Brass

4 – 4:30pm Yuletide Hall: Wagner Summer Theater Youth Vocal Group

5 – 5:30pm Yuletide Hall: Greater Des Moines Flute Choir

5:30 – 6:30pm Strolling Performer: Top Hat Carolers

6 – 9pm Yuletide Hall: The Schnitzel Brothers Bier Band

9pm Festival closes

SUnday December 14, 2025

11am – 1pm Yuletide Hall: Betrunken Messing

11am Festival opens

1 – 1:30pm Yuletide Hall: Foy School of Irish Dance

2 – 5pm Yuletide Hall: Waxies Dargle

2 – 4pm St. Nick and the Christkind visit CDM

5pm Festival closes

Date and Time:

December 4: 5pm - 9pm
December 5: 11am - 9pm
December 6: 11am - 9pm
December 7: 11am - 5pm
December 11: 5pm - 9pm
December 12: 11am - 9pm
December 13: 11am - 9pm
December 14: 11am - 5pm

Location:

Principal Park
1 Line Drive
Des Moines, IA 50309

Click hefre for more information