Thu Dec 3 - Sun Dec 6, 2026
Since 2013, the Heurich House Museum has hosted a multi-day holiday market in its Castle Garden. Christmas Markt is DC’s only multi-day holiday market consisting of ALL local makers. Inspired by traditional German Christmas markets (but featuring DMV-based makers), the event features between 40-50 local vendors annually.
Christmas Markt is a curated market. Vendors were selected by a Jury composed of three community members together with two Museum staff members. These members are well-versed in the local maker community and used a rubric to curate which makers are selected.
Christmas Markt is the museum’s largest annual fundraiser and supports 15% of our annual budget.
Tickets go on sale October 1st.
Vendor applications closed on July 25th.
Get Involved!
CHRISTMAS MARKT IS AN INCUBATOR
Christmas Markt is DC’s longest running and largest incubator of local small-scale manufacturers. Over 1,000 local makers have utilized the markt as a growth point in their business’ trajectory.
Funds from Christmas Markt make up 15% of the museum's annual budget, supporting our free and low-cost programming that provides educational and sales opportunities for emerging makers, connects neighbors to their community, and expands access to local arts.
The Heurich Urban Manufacturing Incubator builds upon the 130 year legacy of craftspeople and makers at the Heurich House - those who designed, built, and decorated the historic home, and those who the museum has helped to elevate their crafts over the last decade.
How does the Christmas Markt incubate businesses?
Maker businesses generate the majority of their revenue during the last quarter of the year, with newer businesses being the most reliant on holiday season sales to make ends meet. During Christmas Markt, the Museum only works with “Beginner” and “Intermediate” businesses to help give them the best opportunities to have a successful year.
These businesses typically:
- have no additional employees,
- partake in no or minimal wholesale operations,
- are working towards generating a living wage through sales,
- cannot afford vendor fees in the city’s multi-week holiday markets.
Thank you to our 2025 sponsors
