What a cute market! Apparently they do this every winter. There are many booths and most of them are food and drink based. The others are a collection of handmade goods such as pottery, clothing, leather goods, outerwear, ornaments etc. I found the items to be on the pricey side, but it was still fun to peruse. The parking situation is a total nightmare. Yes there are pay lots but they were all full. Finding street parking is difficult. Especially with the one ways. It's just a busy area with the nearby shops. Entrance to this market is free. It's outdoor for the most part. It did connect to the downtown Grand Rapids market, which is a cool spot in and of itself. So you can get food and a beer and go inside and sit. Or you can walk and eat. They also have these globes you can rent for us to 8 people with waitress service. I believe there is a minimum and maximum time for rental. It did not appear to be cash only. read more

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I visit the Christkindlmarkt every year for one reason and one reason only... the food. The raclette is SO good and the girl at the Cheese Haus booth remembers me every year. Squibb/Sav Sav also has raclette for a local option. The smell is strong, but I promise the cheese is very mild and melty. The market is made up of several booths selling gifts, food, and lots of treats. Some are local artisans, some are chains (Cheese Haus is from Chicago), and pricing can vary widely. I've heard many complaints that it's "too expensive" but I find the prices for food to be reasonable. New for 2025 is the schnitzel on a stick, which was really tasty. I got the pork cutlet, which was two large cutlets with your choice of sauce (they also have a chicken schnitzel). You can also get crepes, soup, Bon Bon Bon chocolates from Detroit, waffles, sausages, etc. There is a bar where you can buy a refillable mug/glass and bring it back for a discounted refill. They offer hot chocolate, Glühwein, bubbly, etc. You have to buy the corresponding glass for each of the different types of drinks, which I think is silly and I've never done it. There is roving entertainment (I've seen Santa and Mrs. Claus at the market a few times), activities (curling, firepit for s'mores, etc.), and alpenglobes that you can rent (they are beautiful but very expensive at $450 for 3 hours). We're not in Chicago or Europe, this isn't going to be like those Christmas markets, but it's a cute and fun option for those of us in Michigan. There are things I love and things I don't like about it (do NOT pay $25 to park, there are many options nearby that are much cheaper), but I will always visit as long as it's around. read more

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Experience was enjoyable overall with indoor and outdoor vendors. There are signs on each little house outside explaining what they are selling which was super nice (and online on their website there's a good guide for what business is where). We got hot cocoa and it was $14(!!). It did come with a very small but cool stocking cup but it has "2024" on it so obviously using last years cups (which is fine, just something to note). You can get it refilled for less. The mug goes with the drink (i.e all hot cocoas come in this mug, other drinks are in the other mugs). I do like they have both alcoholic and non alcoholic options for many drinks. I really like that there are so many local businesses selling items (such as honey products, pottery, jewelry, ornaments). There were also a lot of Food Trucks I like present but in one of the outside "houses". I enjoyed that there was seating with table inside and there were also the typical businesses inside as well (which included more food/drinks and gifts). Most everywhere accepts cards for payments (every place we purchased from did). We tried to come once on a Saturday mid day and it was packed so we left, so we came back Friday right when it opened and it was MUCH better and less busy! Give your time or plan for parking accordingly. We decided to just park farther away and walk which was much less than parking nearby ($20-25 for nearby parking, if available). Glad we visited overall, just good to be aware of prices and parking for realistic expectations! read more

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This was the best Christmas market we have visited yet! We always go to Rochester Kris Kringle market, but I know there are really big markets in New York and Chicago. I wondered if Michigan had an even bigger market and we found one here in Grand Rapids. So we road tripped over here to see what the fuss on Instagram was all about. It was marvelous! We loved it. There are about 60 little booths with food and gifts plus a beer hall and a food market attached. We have been to the market in the past, but never to the festival. I was all about the food and it did not disappoint. While the food was a bit pricey, it was amazing. We got a liege waffle, could have had more sugar crystals, but it was good. We had the hot cocoa and mulled punch in the adorable boot mugs. The hot chocolate was actually really creamy. We also had the Dunkel beer in an adorable beer stein to take home. I love those souvenirs. We got the potato and cheese perogies and sausage on a bun. We obviously tried the raclette sandwich that had ooey gooey cheese and a must have. It was only the second weekend and already incredibly crowded. We spent about three or four hours here and loved walking around. Event parking said $20-$25, but for some reason I only paid $4 at the lot across the street. We also ate inside the market where they have food and restaurants. Also inside was the Champagne and Egg Nog stations upstairs near the restrooms if you want those mugs. This was an amazing time, and I really hope to plan another visit over here. read more

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So excited to go out to the Christmas Market on the "most-gone-out-day-of-year"! Only to find out it closed at 5pm....GR at it finest. It being a Wednesday probably contributed to this "brilliant " decision too--cant miss the praise rock performance... read more

A day at the GR Christkindl Market will be an annual event. I was reeeaaalllllly impressed with the variety of vendors and food options. This was not a kitschy market in the slightest--totally worth my time and dollars (because yes, you're going to shell out more than you're comfortable with). read more

Don't go to the raclette booth 14 or make sure you get a receipt because they will add a 15% tip even though I tipped in cash. I guess I'm too blame since I didn't get a receipt, but I thought people were better then that. read more

personally found everything way too overpriced expensive and food overpriced too! wasn't worth freezing my butt off and the parking near there was crazy expensive! read more