ISHPEMING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Holiday celebrations are everywhere across the Upper Peninsula, but soon, Ishpeming hopes to offer something entirely new.
A European-style Christmas market is coming to Downtown Ishpeming, and organizers say it will be the first of its kind in the U.P.
While holiday cheer fills communities across the Upper Peninsula, Ishpeming is preparing to add a brand new tradition.
A coalition of local residents and business owners has announced plans for the first ever Ishpeming “Kriskindlmarkt” or Christmas Market, inspired by traditional European holiday markets and those across America.
“So this is going to be the U.P. ‘s first Christmas market, and it’s going to be located right here in Downtown Ishpeming, So we’re really excited to have a Christmas market up here in the U.P.,” said Founder and Chairperson Kevin Corkin.
The market, which will resemble this one in Des Moines, Iowa, is set to debut during the 2026 holiday season, with a grand opening and ribbon cutting planned for Black Friday in 2026. It will be located in the parking lot of the historic Mather building downtown.
Organizers envision a festive village of about 20 wooden huts selling mulled wine, Finnish and German food, hot cocoa and locally made crafts like toys and ornaments, along with bonfires, live music, a sledding hill and activities for kids.
“Some of the typical vendors that you might see in Chicago, but we’re looking for local vendors, so locals from Ishpeming, and Marquette County. We’re trying to keep this as local as possible,” said Corkin.
Those curious about the holiday market can view one of the handmade wooden huts built by Northern Michigan University’s Construction Management students now on display on Main Street adjacent to Ishpeming’s Santa’s Village.
“It’s not just your typical market. We want to have a lot of experiences for families and make it, you know, for the young and the old. So you know, those that like to drink, those that don’t, there’s activities for everybody,” explained Corkin
The Ishpeming Kriskindlmarkt will run two consecutive weekends next year and is expected to draw visitors from across Upper Michigan and beyond.
