Des Moines Christkindlmarket Ends Today

Music, European foods and beers, and handmade crafts combined with the weekend's unseasonably warm weather have helped to boost attendance at the annual Christkindlmarket in downtown Des Moines. The festival, hosted by the Des Moines European Heritage Association, ends today.

St. Nicholas and the Christkind — the holiday gift-bringer in many European countries — will greet guests as they visit booths to sample authentic foods from a variety of countries and shop the selection of products from area artisans. Christkindlmarket is an outdoor event. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at Cowles Commons, 300 Walnut St.

The goal of the german-inspired Christkindlmarket Des Moines is to educate area residents about the European Heritage Association and the cultures in central Iowa through entertainment, educational programs, activities and products available or made by local vendors.

Fourteen individuals and nonprofit groups also have decorated Christmas trees as part of a silent auction open until 3 p.m. A children's tent offers crafts, and entertainment today in Yuletide Hall includes:

• Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss from 11:20 a.m. to noon and 2:10 to 2:30 p.m.
• Metro Brass Quintet, 12:30 to 2 p.m
• International folk dancing from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

In addition, the Des Moines Chantant will be strolling from 1 to 2 p.m.

Learn more about the European Heritage Association at www.dmeha.org or its Facebook page.

Main photo: St. Nicholas and the Christkind welcome guests to Christkindlmarket Des Moines on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, at Cowles Commons. The market ends Sunday./Photos by Melissa Myers, Patch