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 and the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce, and is co-hosted by The City of New Ulm and The New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce.

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

🎄 Holiday Shopping & Vendors (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..

✨ 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
• Photo opportunities throughout the park
• Live entertainment, including music, choirs, carolers, and New Ulm’s own Narren

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

🌲 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 the 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, 507-276-2954
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

Tannenbaum (Tree) Sponsor - $50 - 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. Thanks to a generous donation, these trees are available at a reduced cost of $50/each, with electricity provided. Tannenbaum Sponsors are responsible for providing their own electric cord, lights and decorations, and must be available to decorate their tree on Friday, November 29th between 9am-12pm. 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.

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

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

Fire Pits & S'mores Station - New Ulm MomCo

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

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