Sparta is gearing up for its 11th annual Kriskindlmarkt, which opens Nov. 28 and runs each Friday and Saturday until the weekend before Christmas.
Executive Director of the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce Lance Hauser said Kriskindlemarkt is a “unique experience” with 33 European style Christmas huts that make up the market that is built by volunteers and not a mass-produced Christmas event. The huts will host a total of 96 vendors, with more than 100 vendors total including food booths. Arts and crafts sellers will offer various handcrafted items.
This year’s event includes expanded food offerings from local clubs and organizations. Snowmobile Trails of Monroe County will sell gyros and pretzels, the Boys and Girls Club will run the sausage hut, the Lions Club will offer pork schnitzels for sale and Sparta Montessori will sell potato pancakes and crepes. The Sparta Rotary Club will again sell its holiday mugs.
“It looks exactly like a market you would see in Germany in Europe,” Hauser said. He added visitors familiar with European Christmas markets have told organizers Sparta’s Kriskindlmarkt is the most comparable United States market to what they have over in Europe.
The market will open at 2 p.m. on opening day. Regular hours are 4–8 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays until Dec. 20.
Hauser said many of the goods for sale are handmade by small, local vendors and all the funds raised go back to Sparta’s nonprofit organizations. Vendors this year include the returning Dave’s Coffee Cakes and newcomers like Turner’s Ridge Woodworkz, Twisted Hammer Metal Art and Morges Mallows. Other returning vendors include 1924 Custom Soapery and Mells Rustic Cottage.
The market began in 2015 and has continued to grow. This year the market includes two new food huts, an expanded stage, a photo op area and longer horse and carriage rides. The rides will now last 30 minutes and take riders to and from the holiday lights at Evans Bosshard Park. Rides cost $5 per person or $20 per family.
The market will also have four heated globes available for rent for $30 per hour. Visitors can reserve a globe by calling the chamber at 608-269-4123.
Live music and entertainment will be offered throughout each event day. Kriskindlmarkt will host wreath building Nov. 29 and a children’s scavenger hunt. A letters-to-Santa box will be available at The Shovelmen’s office for those who want to drop a letter off to Santa.
The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who are expected to appear, depending on their schedules. Santa will greet visitors at Holiday Lights at Evans Bosshard Park.
Parking will be available at Torkelson Funeral Home after 4 p.m., provided spaces are open, as well as at the city lot by Park Bank and Ginny’s Cupboard, the market bar near Creekside Commons and along nearby streets.
Hauser said his goal for this year’s market is simple.
“I want everyone to come and have a good time and hopefully they spread the word of how much fun they had at Kriskindlmarkt,” he said.
Buses will be available Nov. 13 from Park Bank in Holmen and the mall in La Crosse near Dick’s Sporting Goods to bring visitors from outside the area.
Hauser said the market draws thousands of people to Sparta each year, benefiting downtown businesses as well. Kriskindlmarkt received the state innovation award from the governor’s office in 2023.
Hauser said the event’s tradition keeps people returning.
“It’s a very magical, very fun experience,” he said.
More information is available at kkmsparta.com.
If you go:
What: Sparta’s Kriskindlmarkt
Where: Downtown Sparta. Mueller Square, Water Street and over Love Lock Bridge.
When: Nov. 28-29, Dec. 5-6. Dec. 12-13, Dec. 19-20.
Time: Friday Nov. 28 opens at 2 p.m. 4–8 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays.
Cost: No admission cost. Horse and carriage rides $5 per person, $20 per family.
Info: Call Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce 608-269-4123. Website - kkmsparta.com. Sparta Kriskindlmarkt Facebook page.
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