2025 is Grand Rapids' third year of Christkindl Markt.  I'd thought about going last year, but I wasn't free on the days it was open, so this was my first visit.  The Detroit News wrote about the growth of Christmas markets in Michigan.

The Grand Rapids market is much more lively than Holland's Kerstmarkt, with many more booths and many more people.

Seasonal drinks seemed to be the best-seller on a Saturday afternoon when I visited.  A good percentage of the crowd was either drinking from souvenir mugs or waiting in line to buy some.

There were a good variety of food choices... sausages, melted Raclette cheese on bread, pirogi, schnitzel on a stick, Bosnian pastries, and churros.

 

Other huts offered Christmas ornaments, cutting boards, and assorted gifts.

The weather was overcast and cool when I visited, but not really cold.  The middle aisle of the market is a covered drinking hall, for those looking to escape the weather.  The Christkindl Markt is connected to the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, which offered more food and drinks inside its heated building, as well as restrooms.

 

Christkindl Markt
435 Ionia Ave. SW
Grand Rapids, MI
49503