For four weekends after Thanksgiving, the quiet town of Sparta, Wisconsin, shimmers into a winter wonderland. The award-winning Kriskindlmarkt, an old-world, European-style Christmas market, turns downtown into a glowing postcard scene. Strings of twinkling lights guide visitors past rows of Bavarian-style huts, each brimming with handcrafted treasures: knitted scarves, wood-turned ornaments, cozy quilts, and imported German holiday décor.

The air is rich with the scent of sizzling sausages, fresh-baked pretzels, and roasted nuts. Shoppers warm their hands on collectible mugs of steaming glühwein, cider, or cocoa while sampling local favorites like cheese curds, potato pancakes, and crepes. New for 2025, crowds are lining up for Raclette cheese, freshly melted and poured over savory open-faced sandwiches.

“It’s definitely more than just shopping; it’s a whole experience,” says Andrew Hellmann, President of the Kriskindlmarkt Board of Directors. That experience has earned Sparta statewide recognition, including the 2023 Wisconsin Tourism Award for Innovation and multiple “Best Kriskindlmarkt” titles from travel bloggers. Yet despite its acclaim, the market remains deeply local, with food booths run by community groups such as the Rotary Club, Lions Club, and local schools.

Now in its 11th year, the market features 33 vendor huts spread across Mueller Square, Creekside Village, and Lovelock Village. Rotating artisans ensure every visit brings new finds, including candies, chocolates, hand-printed paper goods, and whimsical stuffed animals. Creekside Meadow offers four heated igloos for rent, and nine food and beverage booths each carry their own charm. The relocated Bier Hausl now sits near the food court and doubles as the “Wagon Stop” for horse-drawn carriage rides.

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Entertainment fills the season. Opening weekend, November 28 and 29, launches with the Santa Scamper fun run, an evening parade, the official lighting ceremony at Evans-Bosshard Park, and visits from Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Grinch. Later weekends feature live music, storytelling, and surprise performances.

Whether you’re browsing handmade gifts, sipping mulled wine by the fire, or simply soaking in the sights and sounds, Sparta’s Kriskindlmarkt is the kind of holiday magic you don’t just see – you feel.