Visitors ring in the holiday season at first ever Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - People flocked to the Grand Rapids Downtown Market on Saturday for the first ever Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt.

The event brought people from all over to the city to witness European art, culture, and music as well as local artisans.

“The Christkindl Markt is intended to create a festive experience, with glowing lights, sugary smells, and joyful sounds, reminiscent of Christmas markets found throughout Europe, and deliver it to downtown Grand Rapids,” said Mimi Fritz, CEO of the Grand Rapids Downtown Market in an interview with MLive/The Grand Rapids Press before the market opened earlier this month.

Some of the items sold at the Christkindl Markt included jewelry, ornaments, pottery, chocolates, novelty socks, raclette, alpaca accessories, organic skin care and more.

A beverage tent serving hot cider, hot coca, mulled wine and a specialty beer brewed specifically for the Christkindl Markt was available for those in attendance.

Visitors could also get a variety of food including Raclette cheese, Polish sausages, potato pancakes, fudge, waffles, crepes, macarons, chocolate, candies, and soup.

Performances from musicians playing long wooden instruments known as alphorns took place as well as curling for those who made reservations.

For those wanting to attend the market, it is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday until December 23.

A full schedule of events for the market can be found at christkindlmarktgr.com . Curling sheets and private heated chalets also can be reserved online.

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