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, floral arrangements, rugs, jewelry, home decor and Christmas decorations as well as specifically European items such as Scherenschnitte (scissor cuttings), Kerbschnitte (chip-carving in wood), and Holzschnitte (wood-carvings) 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 - 9 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 2019 Christkindlmarkt Vendors
• A Common Treasure - the latest book by New Glarus historian, Duane Freitag about Swiss immigration to Green County
• ALW Jewelry - handcrafted gemstone jewelry, wi re-wrapped stones
• Amy's Designer Eggs - handmade Ukranian egg ornaments
• CKBooks Publishing - nine original book titles and bookmarks
• Edelweiss Gifts - Christmas cards, cross-stitch & crochet, jewelry
• European Bake Sale - baked goods made by the Monroe Swiss Singers
• Gifts For All Seasons - birdfeeders/houses, seasonal decor, kitchen items, more
• Barb's Home Decor and More - handmade table runners, quilts, wool items, mats, more
• Bauernmalerei by Jeanne - wooden items handpainted in Swiss folk-style
• Grandma Staada's Stollen - homemade Stollen
• Karen's Krafts - unique hand-painted items; embroidered/appliqued shirts
• Kerbschnitte by Ray - Swiss art of chip-carving on ornaments, plates, napkin holders, other wood items
• Kline's Kitchen - pastries, bars, Christmas decorated cookies
• Jason & Steve Kundert Woodworking - handmade wood 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.
• Misty Meadows Dairy - goat milk soap/lotion, home-grown popcorn, caramel corn, more
• Papa's Creations - wood crafts by Ed Gerner
• Queen's Court - hand-painted china; Swiss music cds
• Quilted Crafts Plus - quilted runners, banners, aprons by Sue Rentmeester
• Rag Rugs - handmade by Betty Peterson, with crocheted items, and lefsa
• Red House Farm - all homemade/Green County-raised, sheepskins, wool items, beeswax products, soaps
• Schatzkiste (Treasure Chest)- white elephant sale to benefit the Turner Hall of Monroe
• Scherenschnitte - European art of scissors cuttings by Elda and Linda Schiesser
• Sewing in Circles - fabric bowls, sling purses, button bracelets
• Sewn So Keen - market totes, baby necessities, wine caddies, more
• Snip-It - scissors cuttings, jewelry and ornaments
• Three Friends Jewelry & Fiber Arts - unique, handcrafted jewelry & hand-felted vessels, scarves, & hats
• Three Sisters - dog coats from recycled sweaters, pillows, draft dodgers, mittens, hats
• Up-a-Creek Dairy Goats - hand-crafted soaps & lotions made with goat milk
• Usborne Books and More - Usborne & Kane Miller children's books; learning products
• Warmest Mittens by Char - Swiss-themed & other mittens made with upcycled materials
• Woodcarvings by Ernst Possner - handcarved figures, bowls, other small items