Turner Hall's Christkindlmarkt, held indoors, will feature the work of select artisans and vendors, with unique, affordable and quality gifts. Shoppers will find a variety of items including fiber and fabric arts, candles, soaps, woodworking, rugs, jewelry, home décor and Christmas decorations as well as specifically European items such as Scherenschnitte (scissor cuttings) and Kerbschnitte (chip-carving in wood). For a complete listing of this year's vendors, click here.

Samichlaus, Switzerland's version of St. Nick, will be making appearances at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm both days of the market, visiting with children and shoppers, and checking his large book of the year's past infractions! Children of all ages should be on the lookout for Samichlaus' partner, Schmutzli, who makes sure children haven't been too naughty during the year! You can see a video of Samichlaus and Schmutzli at a past Christkindlmarkt here.

The Old World ambiance of the Turner Hall of Monroe provides the perfect backdrop for this unique European-style Christmas market. The Christkindlmarkt, or literally translated, Christ-Child Market, is a traditional outdoor German Christmas market with origins dating back to the 14th century. One of the most famous and oldest markets, which was first officially recorded in 1628, is held annually in Nuremberg. Christkindlmarkts take place in many cities throughout Germany, attracting millions of visitors, as well as in areas of the United States where immigrants brought the tradition with them.

Also part of the market, homemade Swiss baked goods and traditional Glüwein (hot spiced wine), will offer Christkindlmarkt shoppers a chance to relax and take in the holiday atmosphere. The lower level Ratskeller Restaurant will also be open both days of the market from 11 am - 8 pm.

Treat yourself to the experience this year, and you'll want to make the Christkindlmarkt one of your holiday shopping traditions every year!

Listing of 2025 Christkindlmarkt Vendors
• Acorn Creations - handcarved wooden Santas and ornaments
• Bäckerei Kline - European pastries, bars, Christmas decorated cookies
• Barbara Jean - wallets, cell phone purses, reading pillows, table toppers/runner
• B-Squared Crafts & Wreaths - painted barn boards, wreaths, arrangements, bowse
• European Bake Sale - baked goods made by the Monroe Swiss Singers
• Gibson Greetings - greeting cards, wreaths, pillowcases, hooded towels, novelty candy bars
• Gifts For All Seasons - birdfeeders/houses, seasonal decor, kitchen items, more
• Gourd Art by Joyce - Creative items made from dried gourds
• Hextech Glass - stained glass and pottery
• Jackie Lee's Creations - Acrylic painting on various medium
• Jason Kundert Woodworking - Handmade items crafted from wood
• Karen's Krafts - unique hand-painted items; embroidered/appliqued shirts
• Kerbschnitte by Ray - Swiss folk art of chip-carving on ornaments, plates, napkin holders, other wood items (pictured above)
• Knight's Workshop - wooden games and décor, hand-turned pens
• Laura's Lavender Essentials - Lavender sachets, bath salts & more; jewelry, crocheted items
• Lenny's Canes - Handmade canes, toys and wood items
• Meadow Ridge Alpacas - Items made from Green County-raised alpacas: socks, hats, gloves, scarves, etc.
• Metroglyphs Studio - Handcrafted graffiti jewelry & home items
• Paper Pie - Usborne and Kane Miller children's books & related items
• Rag Rugs by Betty - handmade rag rugs, crocheted items, & lefsa
• Rickety Bridge Soap Emporiam - handmade tallow soaps & butters
• Scherenschnitte - The last of Linda Schiesser's art of scissors cuttings
• Scrappy Creations - Towel-bottomed aprons, fabric/sewn items
• Snip-It - scissors cuttings, jewelry and ornaments
• Swiss Quality Crafts - Swiss-themed fabric items, doll clothes
• Towne Creative Studio - handmade wooden items, birdhouses, mosaics, paintings
• Three Friends Jewelry & Fiber Arts - Unique, handcrafted jewelry & hand-felted vessels, scarves, & hats
• Three Sisters - Upcycled sweaters made into draft dodgers, mittens, hats, & other items
• Up-a-Creek Dairy Goats - hand-crafted soaps & lotions made with goat milk
• Two Crafty Sisters - Crocheted home items, potholders, Christmas décor, snowmen
• Warmest Mittens by Char - Swiss-themed & other mittens made with upcycled materials

The Christkindlmarkt, as well as other programs during 2025, is part of Turner Hall's on-going Swiss Heritage Series. More information on the Swiss Heritage Series is available here.