Christkindlmarkt Kicks off Thanksgiving Weekend

Volunteers helped the Sister Bay Historical Society handle the crush of visitors on opening weekend. Photo by Tom Sadler.

Last year’s original run for the Sister Bay Christkindlmarkt proved to be far more popular than organizers ever anticipated, drawing an estimated 10,000 visitors over three weekends. 

Now the event put on by the Sister Bay Historical Society is back for year two, taking place over three weekends: Nov. 25-27, Dec. 2-4 and Dec. 9-11. The European-style Christmas market takes place on the grounds of the Corner of the Past Museum in Sister Bay. 

Christkindlmarkt Door County showcases vendors selling handcrafted, locally made goods, plus food booths selling German and Nordic fare and drinks.

The vendors include photographers, jewelers, painters, woodworkers, beekeepers and glass blowers, plus makers of tree ornaments, wreaths, maps, candy, glassware, clothing, hats, socks, cutting boards, furniture, toys, candles, leather goods, puzzles, health and wellness products, and more. 

Christkindlmarkt will also include The Bookshop, a bookstore featuring books by 15 well-known Door County authors, an outdoor wreath-making station by The Simple Solution, and an on-site gift-wrapping station managed by three Door County nonprofits.

Four Door County chefs will serve Northern European entrées, side dishes and desserts in a “food court” inside the property’s large Koessl Barn. The historical society will serve Glühwein (hot mulled red wine) in a special “drinks hut” that will also sell Wisconsin craft beers, hot chocolate and hot apple cider. Anderson House, the refurbished 1875 home on the museum property, will feature a pop-up bakery.

Live Christmas music at this year’s Christkindlmarkt will be performed in the event’s Food Barn by Gibraltar Area School’s choir and concert band on Saturdays (Nov. 26, Dec. 3 and Dec. 10), 12-2 pm. 

Corner of the Past Museum is located at the corner of Fieldcrest Road and Highway 57 in Sister Bay (10310 Fieldcrest Road). Parking will be available at three nearby locations: Stella Maris Church, First Baptist Church and the former Shopko location, with trolleys running continuously to the grounds.