SISTER BAY – When an event has been as successful as the Door County Christkindlmarkt was in its first two years, you don’t mess with it too much the third time around.
The Door County Christkindlmarkt sponsored by the Sister Bay Historical Society opens over the Thanksgiving weekend and continues the first two weekends in December, Friday through Sunday each of those weekends, on the grounds of historical society’s Corner of the Past Museum.
Organizers hope and expect this third annual event to draw as many Door County visitors and residents, or more, as the first two editions. Those were very popular with Peninsula residents and visitors alike − attendance is estimated at about 10,000 for each of those two years − so there aren’t any major upheavals in how the market is planned to run for 2023.
However, there are a few changes as the historical society, like it did between the first and second years of the market, continues to refine and hopefully improve the event.
“We hit on a great formula on how to do a Christmas market,” historical society board member John Nelson said, “and we don’t want to change it too much.”
Here’s what you need to know for the 2023 Door County Christkindlmarkt.
Christkindlmarkt? What’s that?
A Christkindlmarkt is an old-fashioned, German-style, pop-up Christmas street market with artists, craftspersons and other makers of gift-type goods on hand to sell their wares to holiday shoppers, along with food and refreshments. They’re held during the holiday season in a number of locations across the U.S. (and Europe), with the one in downtown Chicago proving so popular that it spawned two satellite markets in the area.
What’s special about the Door County version?
What helps the Door County Christkindlmarkt stand out from some others is that it’s mostly an outdoor holiday shopping experience to help enhance the Old World feeling. The museum grounds are a re-creation of a pioneer homestead in the late 19th century, and vendors and food booths will be in the heated museum buildings or under a heated tent. Shoppers can stroll around outside between the buildings and warm themselves around a fire pit while enjoying the winter weather.
Plus, it has a “buy local” emphasis. Many of the vendors are based on the Door Peninsula and all are located in Wisconsin.
When and where is it?
Door County Christkindlmarkt will be open Nov. 24 to 26, Dec. 1 to 3 and Dec. 8 to 10 at Corner of the Past Museum, 10310 Fieldcrest Road, Sister Bay. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays, except 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9.
Parking and shuttles
Parking is not available on-site for visitors and is not allowed on the roads near the museum (they will be taped off by the sheriff’s department), but continuous school bus shuttles will run to and from the three designated parking lots: the former Shopko Hometown store, 2541 S. Bay Shore Drive/State 42 (behind the Mobil/Sub Express convenience store); Stella Maris Catholic Church, 2410 S. Bay Shore Drive; and First Baptist Church of Sister Bay, 2622 S. Bay Shore Drive. Parking on the Sundays of the market is only at the former Shopko lot. Those parking on roadsides marked for no parking will be ticketed.
What’s new or different this year?
The most obvious improvement will be noticed in the big tent under which a number of vendors, those who aren’t in one of the buildings, will display and sell their wares.
The first two years, the tent was 30-by-60 feet with just one entrance/exit, and Nelson said it got very crowded and difficult to move around for vendors and guests. This year, the tent is twice as big, 30-by-120 feet, and with two entrances instead of one, so it should be easier and more comfortable for those under it to move around.
“There were legitimate comments from some guests that we needed to leave more space to allow people to get into the booths,” Nelson said.
Also different (food edition) …
Those who need to refresh themselves while shopping at the market will find more choices this year.
The food court in the museum’s Koessl Barn returns with local chefs from Thyme Restaurant, Culinaria and Wally’s Weinie Wagon offering German and Northern European entrees, side dishes and desserts.
But new this year, food trucks from 888 Cheese Co. (specialty grilled cheese sandwiches) and Savor BBQ will be outside the main vendor tent, featuring special menus for the event.
Plus, a pop-up bakery will offer decorated cookies, cardamom coffee cake, pecan rolls and other baked goods in Anderson House, the refurbished 1875 home on the museum property.
Also different (beverage edition) …
The historical society’s Drink Hut is back, featuring the Christkindlmarkt tradition of hot mulled red wine, known as “glühwein” in Germany and Austria or “glögg” in Sweden, as well as hot chocolate and hot apple cider. The hut also is where visitors can purchase the commemorative 2023 Christkindlmarkt Glühwein mug designed by well-known local artist Pipka Ulvilden, which Nelson said is kind of a collectible for Christkindlmarkt buffs.
But new this year is a beer hall tent behind the Drink Hut, and Peach Barn Farmhouse & Brewery of Sister Bay will be the exclusive beer vendor. The microbrewery is serving an array of its craft beers − yes, some are made with peach − along with a special Winter Ale brewed just for Christkindlmarkt.
Not more vendors, but new ones
From its first year to its second, the Christkindlmarkt dramatically increased the number of vendors on the premises, from 22 to 39, because of popular demand from vendors and shoppers. For this third go-around, the number of vendors is staying almost the same, actually dropping by a couple to 37.
However, nine of them are new to the Christkindlmarkt, which falls in line with the organizers’ goal of bringing in several new vendors each year to keep things fresh for shoppers.
Nelson said the total number seems about right for the number of visitors it gets and the space it uses at the museum.
“We’re trying not to grow our event by leaps and bounds every year,” Nelson said. “By accident, we hit the sweet spot (for number of vendors) the first couple of years.”
Vendors include artists in many genres, makers of holiday gifts, food and candy items, clothing, toys, household items and home décor, health and wellness products, and more. For more on the vendors and their wares, see the list below.
Sounds of the season
Christmas music will be heard throughout all nine days of the market.
The Gibraltar Area School concert band will perform from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays in the vendor tent, followed by the Gibraltar Elementary Choir from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Vintage music deejay David Watkins spins Christmas songs from his collection of rare vinyl albums (not just 33⅓s but 78s as well) from 2 to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
At other times during the market, recorded Christmas music will play throughout the property.
For more information …
Visit doorcountychristmasmarket.com.
Who’s selling what
Vendors at Christkindlmarkt Door County (those marked with a ** are new to the market)
- Alpaca to Apparel: hand-knit, hand-crocheted and hand-finished products; its Alpaca Corral will be on hand, too
- Burnt Bluff Stone and Glass: blown glass, stonework gifts, holiday ornaments, decor and glass blowing demonstrations by a husband-and-wife team
- ** Castle Art: sterling silver jewelry featuring labradorite, moonstone and larimar; colorful imported home décor; henna art and supplies; and unique gifts
- Clario Farmstead Pasta: pastas and sauces hand-made in small batches from organically grown vegetables, organic flour and chicken eggs from local producers
- DC Chocolate Design: variety of handmade chocolates and honey caramels as well as chocolate Advent calendars
- DC Polar Bear Press: kids and family books set in Door County by Sue Jarosh
- DoCo Pit Pacs: wellness enhancement packs filled with dried cherry pits that the maker claims retain and release moist heat or cold for longer periods than traditional rice, beans or corn
- Door County Authors: novels, mysteries, children’s books, poetry, historical fiction and nonfiction by 20 members of the Door County Published Author’s Collective
- Door County Kicksled: the only kicksled provider in the Midwest
- Door County Kids & Baby Boutique: clothes, soft toys, games and puzzles that encourage learning and STEAM growth for babies, toddlers and youngsters
- Door County Wildwood Market: holiday bakery, confections, specialty foods, jams and cherry salsas featuring locally grown fruits, heritage pickles, pet-friendly treats; gift boxes available
- ** Emily’s Art Cart: unique, handmade gift items from Gills Rock
- EVO Botanicals: a local skin care, pain relief and whole-body wellness company with individual products and complete self-care packages; special pricing for Christkindlmarkt
- Fish Creek Moccasin: leather moccasins, hats, boots, clogs, handbags, wallets and mittens
- Frykman Studio Gallery: art gallery featuring the works of three family members, with oil paintings and wood carvings (including some using wood salvaged from the original Eagle Tower in Peninsula State Park) by David Frykman, nature photography by Heather and Luke Frykman, and laser-cut puzzles
- ** House of Crain: globally inspired, art-like handmade home decor made from vintage and modern fabrics
- Jack & Joie: a sister-owned company that designs and creates whimsical barware, home decor and paper goods, either handmade by them or by artisans using their original designs and specifications
- Kari Anderson: watercolor paintings and cards, along with handknit items with a Scandinavian style by the Door County artist
- Maps by Sophie: hand-drawn maps by Sophie Parr and original art by new and established artists; formerly known as Northern Arts Collective in Ellison Bay
- ** Sha-Ba Island Pearls: a wide range of pearls in custom-designed jewelry, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, hair pins and other fine items crafted by Tanatnan Chaipang. Other designs include scarves, handmade purses and handmade crocheted products
- ** Simply Irresistible Creations: unique accessories for women including decorated scarves, bracelets, necklaces and wool mittens
- ** Simply Scandinavian: Gills Rock shop offering a variety of gifts for the home, food and clothing items
- Sister Bay Historical Society: the market host will sell its 2023 collectible Gluhwein mug in its Drinks Hut, plus baked goods and commemorative wool hats, aprons, ornaments and pub glasses
- Sostre Self: natural, handmade skin care products and whimsical art for any person, any space
- ** Sweet Owl Macrame: variety of macrame art items
- ** The Ginger House: wine and picnic boutique, also with global gifts for the home, and loungewear and pajamas
- The Nut Man: A large variety of flavored, chocolate-covered and plain nuts
- The Vault: gourmet popcorn, local baked goods and candy and more
- This & That: fun and whimsical items by local artists and craftspeople
- ‘Tis the Season: seasonal gifts and a wide range of Christmas ornaments, including imported and hand-painted items, Christmas tree trimmings in a variety of colors and themes, and unique custom wreaths
- Trillium Herbal Company: organic and sustainable skin care product maker, featuring The Original Body Polish
- Uncle Tom’s Candy: premium, homemade candies including assorted fudges, chocolate bark and brittle, as well as pancake mixes
- Waterford Bee Company: lip balms, hand salves, honey, aromatherapy candles, beeswax candles and other fine products
- Whimsy Hats: fleece-lined hats handcrafted with faux fur for extra warmth and comfort; a percentage of every hat sale is donated to the National Humane Society to help the world go fur-free
- ** Wild Nest Photography: Photos by Allison Evans of Egg Harbor
- Woodwalk Gallery/Rustics by Design: original artwork from artists represented at Woodwalk Gallery in Egg Harbor, along with salvaged wood made into beautiful, sustainable pieces by Rustic By Design
- Zeke’s Village Market: unique, Wisconsin-themed apparel, including one-of-a-kind Door County and Sister Bay sweatshirts, and festive holiday candles made in Door County, including the official Door County Christkindlmarkt candle
Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@doorcountyadvocate.com.
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