Kerstmarkt
November 23 - December 21, 2024
Experience a delightful outdoor European-style market with holiday items, delicious food and artisan demonstrations in Holland, Michigan. Located at the 8th Street Marketplace at the corner of 8th Street and Pine Avenue, weekends from November 23-December 21. Dates and times may vary, see the schedule below.
What is it?
“Kerstmarkt” in the Dutch language means “Christmas market.” Such markets pop up all over the Netherlands during the Christmas season, offering a venue for local artisans and specialty shops to sell their wares while shoppers gather, enjoying traditional food, drink and entertainment.
Kerstmarkt in Holland, Michigan began with a dream at the Holland Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). Holland has always been a very popular destination in the spring, summer and fall, and they wanted to find a way to encourage visitors to visit our award-winning downtown during one of the most beautiful seasons–Christmas.
Keeping with Holland’s Dutch heritage, the CVB began researching European Christmas markets, which included finding a sponsor to send CVB representatives to Germany while markets were open there. They came back with a great enthusiasm for the idea and drawings for wooden booths that consist of four walls and a roof and that can be dismantled, stored and reassembled for the new season. Kerstmarkt in Holland, Michigan, was born.
Starting out with just 10 booths in Centennial Park in 1997, the Kerstmarkt is now set up at the 8th Street Market Place in front of the Civic Center. The vendor booths are set up for three weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as the Saturday before Thanksgiving. There are roughly 35 vendors all together with vendors swapping out on the different weekends, ensuring a new experience each weekend. On those Saturdays they share space with the Farmer’s Market.
This year, there is a Kerstmarkt Christmas Card available (designed and painted by Marguerite Riker), a new collectable gluhwein mug, as well as dog sled demos, handbell concerts, appearances from Santa & Mrs. Claus, Sinterklaas, the Dickens Carolers, and other musical guests. European foods will be available, as well as a hot chocolate bar. Don't forget to take pictures of you and your loved ones for a kerstmarkt-themed personal keepsake.
While the Kerstmarkt has become a tradition for many West Michigan families, vendors have reported yearly U.S. customers from as far away as Texas and many European guests traveling from Chicago! The Kerstmarkt has been under the umbrella of the Holland Friends of Art, a licensed non-profit organization which is committed to continue this tradition in Holland, Michigan.
If you are visiting Holland this holiday season and looking for lodging, please feel free to visit our Hotel & Accommodations page for the most up to date information.
2024 Kerstmarkt Schedule
11/23, Saturday, 9am – 6pm
11/29, Friday, 11am - 8pm
- Hand Bell Concert: 5pm-7pm
11/30, Saturday, 9am - 6pm
- Dog Sled Demo: 1:00pm-3:00pm
12/6, Friday, 3pm – 8pm
- Sinterklaas Visit: 3:00pm-4:30pm
- Herrick District Library Story Time: 4:00pm-4:30pm
- Dickens Carolers : 5:00pm-7:00pm
12/7, Saturday, 9am – 6pm
- Dog Sled Demo: 1:00pm-3:00pm
12/13, Friday, 3pm – 8pm
- Santa Visit: 3pm-5pm
- Herrick District Library Story Time: 4:00pm-4:30pm
- Hand Bell Concert: 5pm-7pm
12/14, Saturday, 9am – 6pm
- Santa Visit: 3pm-5pm
12/20, Friday, 3pm – 8pm
- Santa Visit: 3pm-5pm
- Dickens Carolers: 5pm-7pm
12/21, Saturday, 9am – 6pm
- Santa Visit: 3pm-5pm
Location
8th Street Market Place
150 W. 8th Street
For more info, click here.
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