WEST CHESTER, PA — Downtown West Chester will turn into an open-air holiday marketplace this December as the seventh annual Christkindlmarkt returns with more than 100 artists, makers and food vendors lining Gay and Church streets.
Presented by the West Chester Downtown Foundation and hosted by the Chester County Art Association and Downtown West Chester, the one-day market will take place Saturday, Dec. 12, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free, and the event will be held rain or shine.
Visitors can shop locally made and handcrafted goods ranging from art, ceramics and jewelry to homewares, food and other seasonal gifts. The market stretches along Gay Street between Darlington and Matlack streets and along Church Street between Gay and Chestnut streets.
The event is designed as both a holiday shopping destination and a showcase for local creative talent, giving residents and visitors an opportunity to meet artists and makers while supporting small businesses during the holiday season.
A Juried Market for Local Artists and Makers
Applications are now open for vendors interested in participating in the 2026 Christkindlmarkt.
Prospective vendors must apply by Sept. 18. The event is juried, and accepted participants will be notified Oct. 12.
Artists will receive a 10-by-10-foot outdoor booth space and must provide their own tent, display materials and tables. Accepted vendors are responsible for setup, breakdown, sales tax collection and booth fees.
The booth fee is $250, and exhibitors must be members of the Chester County Art Association. Membership rates vary by category, including student, senior, individual and household options.
Accepted vendors must pay booth fees by Nov. 2.
Applications are available at https://pci.jotform.com/form/261905832330150.
Event Details
- What: 7th Annual Christkindlmarkt
- When: Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Where: Downtown West Chester on Gay Street between Darlington and Matlack streets and Church Street between Gay and Chestnut streets
- Cost/Tickets: Free admission; event is rain or shine
- More Info: www.downtownwestchester.com/christkindlmarkt
Streets within the event footprint will be closed to vehicle traffic during the day, while most cross streets will remain open.
Downtown West Chester offers on-street parking, surface lots and parking garages. The Bicentennial Garage, Chestnut Street Garage and municipal parking lots will use a special event rate, while other spaces will remain at normal rates. Parking information is available at www.downtownwestchester.com/parking.
With more than 100 vendors and a full day of holiday shopping in the heart of downtown, Christkindlmarkt offers residents and visitors a festive way to support local artists, makers and small businesses while enjoying West Chester’s holiday atmosphere.
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