This year’s Christkindl Markt: More vendors, more drinks, more cheer

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Organizers are already preparing for this year’s Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt.

After last year’s inaugural event, the 2024 market will take place from Nov. 15 through Dec. 23 at the Downtown Market. There will be double the number of vendors as last year, with 60 booths instead of 30, more food options, more beverage options and commemorative glassware.

Karen Carpenter, the general manager of the Christkindl Markt, said the team is already hearing from people who are excited for the event.

“I think the buzz really hasn’t gone away,” she said. “Obviously it isn’t the holidays quite yet, but we’re really excited the vendors are so excited to come back. We’ve got a lot of people coming back and now obviously some new and exciting vendors as well.”

Four new vendors — Piekny Polish Pottery, OG’s Bakery, deSoto Roasted Nuts and That Moment — were at the Downtown Market Thursday for a ‘Christmas in July’ preview.

They all told News 8 they’re preparing thousands of products to sell at the market. Olivia Gargett, the owner of OG’s Bakery , said she’ll be preparing around 20,000 cake pops and cookies.

Gargett first discovered her passion for baking at age 12, when she was watching “Cake Boss.” She started baking for her family and friends and eventually took orders. Now 22, Gargett has recently started pursing baking full time.

“I just graduated college, so (the Christkindl Markt) is a great opportunity for me to grow my business here in Grand Rapids,” she said. “I also just love the atmosphere of being with other businesses that sell different and unique products from yours. I thought it was a great opportunity for me to get out there and just have fun.”

Gargett said she has sold her products at spots like the Ada Farmer’s Market, but the Christkindl Market will be her biggest venue yet.

“Very excited, but definitely a little bit nervous because I’ve never done something at this volume,” she said. “I’m really thankful my family and my friends are all jumping in to help me work it if I need to be baking and doing other things at the same time.”

The market is also the biggest event deSoto Roasted Nuts , which was a pop-up vendor for five days last year, will have done. The team will sell caramelized nuts, with items like holiday spice pecans, vanilla and cinnamon almonds and sweet and spicy peanuts.

Piekny Polish Pottery Store will be selling handmade and hand-decorated pottery items imported from Poland, and That Moment will be selling artisan stars imported from Europe.

“The list goes on and on,” Carpenter said. “There’s always going to be something fun to eat and lots of amazing things to purchase for gifts or for yourself.”

There will also be fire pits for roasting s’mores, visits from Santa, Mrs. Claus and Christkind, and more lanes set up for curling. There will be tons of food options, like Korean dumplings, raclette (a melted cheese dish) and crepes.

In the Downtown Market’s indoor Greenhouse will be a Christkindl Markt Bubbles Bar, which will be serving up champagne. Along with the hot Gluhwein (mulled spiced wine), hot cocoa, cider and Brewery Vivant beer that was available this year, there will also be eggnog.

For a full list of this year’s vendors, go to christkindlmarktgr.com .

“We love Grand Rapids and we think it’s such a great opportunity for us to celebrate with our community and highlight some of our local vendors and bring people here to Grand Rapids,” Carpenter said. “We welcome everybody to come down and celebrate the holidays.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.