Kick off the holiday season in true German style at the inaugural Weihnachts Markt: New Ulm Holiday Market! This brand-new event is being planned by the Downtown Action Team, a committee of the Heart of New Ulm, the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce, and the City of New Ulm.

Taking place in German Park on the same day as New Ulm’s 37th Annual Parade of Lights, this outdoor event will feature live reindeer, shopping, music, food, and family fun all afternoon – concluding with the Official Lighting of New Ulm’s 40-foot Upside-Down Christmas Tree at 5:00 PM.

Make a day of it! Spend the afternoon exploring New Ulm's beautifully decorated downtown - our locally owned shops will be open and ready to welcome Black Friday shoppers! Several restaurants are located just blocks from German Park, perfect for warming up between activities.

Event Highlights

🎄 Vendor Market (12–5 PM)
Browse a festive outdoor market featuring local vendors, handmade gifts, and holiday cheer.

🍴 Food Trucks & Tasty Treats (11 AM–5 PM)
Treat yourself to something delicious from our food vendors along German Street.

• Confirmed Food Vendors:

  - Legacy BBQ
  - Gouda Q

✨ Holiday Fun All Afternoon

• Christmas trees decorated by local businesses & organizations (trees will stay on display through the holiday season - see below for more information)
• Fire pits and s’mores station (sponsored by New Ulm MomCo)
• Photo opportunities throughout the park
• Live entertainment, including music, choirs, carolers, and New Ulm’s own Narren

 

• Confirmed entertainment:

  - Ulm Sweet Ulm Community Sing
  - Grace Community Church
  - Oak Street Singers
  - Schell's Hobo Band
  - The Narren of New Ulm *weather permitting*

🦌 Live Reindeer (2–4 PM)
Get up close and personal with real reindeer – a magical experience for the whole family! Complete with a sleigh for your family photo ops!

📸 Reindeer & Sleigh Portraits
Capture the magic of the season with a festive family portrait alongside our live reindeer and sleigh! Thanks to the generosity of Kamra Joosten Photography, attendees can enjoy professional photos at an affordable price while supporting the continuation of this new community event. 

Each session includes one edited digital image delivered via online gallery within 72 hours - perfect for holiday cards and memories! No reservation needed - stop by between 2-4pm to capture a keepsake from this festive community celebration!
- $10 per family/group for one image
- Add a second image for $5
- All proceeds support Weihnachts Markt

🌲 Upside-Down Christmas Tree Lighting (5 PM)
Don’t miss the official lighting of New Ulm’s famous 40-foot Upside-Down Christmas Tree with Mayor Kathleen Backer. The Upside-Down Tree, a German tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages, made its debut in New Ulm last year, hanging from a crane near the Hermann Monument. The tree drew national attention, with features in Forbes Magazine, Fox 9 News, and more. This year, it will shine in German Park throughout the holiday season! Click here to read more about the 2024 Upside-Down Tree.

🎆 Parade of Lights (6 PM)
Head just a block away to experience New Ulm’s annual lighted parade, which draws thousands of spectators each year.



Be Part of the Magic!

We can't host this free community event without your help! We’re looking for sponsors, vendors, food trucks, entertainers, and community groups to help make the first-ever Weihnachts Markt a success! If you’d like to be involved, please reach out to the following:

Market Vendors: Erika Hoffmann, The 507 Outskirt, 507outskirt@gmail.com, 507-276-2939
Entertainment: Lorie Jewell, State Street Theater, ljewell@statestreetnewulm.org, 507-359-9990
Food Vendors: New Ulm Chamber, chamber@newulm.com, 507-233-4300


Sponsorship Opportunities

Download the flyer here!

Tannenbaum (Tree) Sponsor - $75 - Multiple available

• Businesses, organizations, and families are invited to sponsor a Christmas tree to be displayed in German Park throughout the holiday season, from November 29 through New Year's Day. Trees are $75/each, with electricity provided. Tannenbaum Sponsors are responsible for providing their own all-weather electric cord, lights and decorations, and must be available to decorate their tree on Friday, November 28th between 9am-12pm. The trees are 6-7ft. Note that tree sponsors will be recognized here on this site, but signage will not be provided in the park. Sponsors are welcome to include signage, ornaments, or decorations that identify their business, organization, or family. A limited numbers of trees are available. Deadline to sponsor a tree is November 18th.

Reindeer Sponsor - $2,500 

• Exclusive Top-Level Sponsorship - only 1 available. Largest Logo/Prominent Placement

Dasher - $1,000

• Large Logo

Dancer - $500

• Medium Logo

Prancer - $250

• Business Listing

All sponsors will have their logo or business name included in promotion of this event, including:

• Signage at event
• Social media pages
• The Journal, New Ulm
• Chamber email newsletter

Thank you to our current event sponsors!
Upside Down Tree Sponsors:
Schaefer Companies
Kraus Tree Service

Elektrish (Electricity) Sponsor:
Paul's Electric / Hunt Electric

Reindeer Sponsor:
Still Available!  Contact the Chamber!

Dasher Sponsor:

Dancer Sponsor:


Prancer Sponsors:
New Ulm MomCo
Woodstone Senior Living
Sid's Signs on Broadway
Oak Hills Living Center
Design Home Center

Tannenbaum (Tree) Sponsors:
United Way of the Brown County Area
Becky Bakes
Herbie Hedgehog & Gertie Goose
Woodstone Senior Living
Grace Community Church
Gallery 512 Boutique
Thrivent Financial Group - New Ulm Area
GSM
Ann Vote - IMPACT to Influence
Grand Center for Arts & Culture


Donations of any amount are also welcome and are tax-deductible! Click here to make your donation online through PayPal. Checks payable to the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation (a registered 501c3) can be dropped off at the Chamber or mailed to: PO Box 384, New Ulm, MN 56073.

Contact the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce to sponsor, or with any questions: chamber@newulm.com or 507-233-4300.