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 2024 Christkindlmarkt Vendors
• Bäckerei Kline & Homebaked Health - Pastries, bars, Christmas decorated cookies, gluten-free goods
• Gabe Schillman Art - Acrylic paintings
• European Bake Sale - baked goods made by the Monroe Swiss Singers
• Gifts For All Seasons - birdfeeders/houses, seasonal decor, kitchen items, more
• Gourd Art by Joyce - Creative items made from dried gourds
• 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
• 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
• Moonfire Candles - Natural cotton & wood wick candles
• Odds and Ends - Drocheted home items, Christmas décor, snowmen
• Paper Pie - Usborne and Kane Miller children's books
• Rag Rugs by Betty - handmade rag rugs, crocheted items, & lefsa
• Red House Farm - all homemade/Green County-raised, sheepskins, wool items, beeswax products, soaps
• Scherenschnitte - European art of scissors cuttings by Elda and Linda Schiesser
• Scrappy Creations - Towel-bottomed aprons, fabric/sewn items
• Sewing in Circles - fabric bowls, sling purses, button bracelets
• Snip-It - scissors cuttings, jewelry and ornaments
• Swiss Quality Crafts - Swiss-themed fabric items, doll clothes
• Three Friends Jewelry & Fiber Arts - Unique, handcrafted jewelry & hand-felted vessels, scarves, & hats
• Three Sisters - Upcycled sweaters made into draft dodgers, mittens, & other items
• Up-a-Creek Dairy Goats - hand-crafted soaps & lotions made with goat milk
• Warmest Mittens by Char - Swiss-themed & other mittens made with upcycled materials
• Woodworking by Ken - Handmade home items crafted from wood
• Yarn Wizard - Knit and crocheted hats, toys, other items

The Christkindlmarkt, as well as other programs during 2024, is part of Turner Hall's on-going Swiss Heritage Series. More information on the Swiss Heritage Series is available here.