As we expand to a two-weekend festival, volunteers are now, more than ever, integral to a successful community event. We need your help, and we have several opportunities to choose from whether you're looking for just yourself or a group team building experience. Be sure to include family members, friends and others who could join you to make it more fun!
All volunteers must be at least 16 years old when they report for their volunteer shift. Those working with alcohol must be at least 18 years old when they report for their volunteer shift.
After your shift, turn in your credential for a ticket you can exchange for:
5% off your purchase in “An der Weihnachtsecke” (At the Christmas Corner)
one free drink from CDM managed locations
one free brat from the "Bratwurst Imbiß am Markt" (first weekend only)
CDM Setup: **Great for groups/team building** If you've ever wanted to see how a festival comes together, now's your chance! As a volunteer on the setup team, you will work on a variety of tasks from installing Christmas trees to assembling signage. From hanging stringed lights to decorating wooden vendor stalls. **Some lifting may be required**
CDM Tear Down: **Great for groups/team building** As the market winds to a close, we'll have three short hours to make the magic of Christkindlmarket Des Moines disappear. **Some lifting may be required**
Vendor Stall Setup: Christmas markets wouldn't be the same without traditional, wooden vendor stalls! As a volunteer on the vendor stall set up team, you will construct these prefabricated stalls for our vendors. **Heavy lifting definitely required**
Vendor Stall Tear Down: Deconstruct prefabricated wooden vendor stalls. You will be led by an experienced CDM leader. **Heavy lifting definitely required**
Glühwein, Kinderpunsch, Hot Cocoa Sales (Beverage Tent - Outdoors): **Great for groups/team building** There's no better way to get into the holiday spirit than by serving warm, mulled wine/cider and hot cocoa to eager patrons. This holiday tradition is a Christkindlmarket staple. You will need to complete online I-PACT (Iowa – Program for Alcohol Compliance) Training. After successfully passing the final test, you will receive a printable certificate of completion. The certificate is valid for 2 years. The test takes 45 – 60 minutes to complete and can be completed online at https://abd.iowa.gov/education/i-pact as well. Please present a printed or digital copy of your certificate when you check in to begin your shift.
Glühwein, Kinderpunsch, Hot Cocoa Sales (Yuletide Hall (heated tent)): **Great for groups/team building** There's no better way to get into the holiday spirit than by serving warm, mulled wine/cider and hot cocoa to eager patrons. This holiday tradition is a Christkindlmarket staple. You will need to complete online I-PACT (Iowa – Program for Alcohol Compliance) Training. After successfully passing the final test, you will receive a printable certificate of completion. The certificate is valid for 2 years. The test takes 45 – 60 minutes to complete and can be completed online at https://abd.iowa.gov/education/i-pact as well. Please present a printed or digital copy of your certificate when you check in to begin your shift.
Glühwein, Kinderpunsch, Hot Cocoa AND Beer Sales (Biergarten (heated tent)): **Great for groups/team building** There's no better way to get into the holiday spirit than by serving warm, mulled wine/cider, hot cocoa AND festive beer to eager patrons. This holiday tradition is a Christkindlmarket staple. You will need to complete online I-PACT (Iowa – Program for Alcohol Compliance) Training. After successfully passing the final test, you will receive a printable certificate of completion. The certificate is valid for 2 years. The test takes 45 – 60 minutes to complete and can be completed online at https://abd.iowa.gov/education/i-pact as well. Please present a printed or digital copy of your certificate when you check in to begin your shift.
Beer Pourers (Yuletide Hall (heated tent)): **Great for groups/team building** You will work with our CDM Leadership team to serve beer to patrons. You will need to complete online I-PACT (Iowa – Program for Alcohol Compliance) Training. After successfully passing the final test, you will receive a printable certificate of completion. The test takes 45 – 60 minutes to complete and can be completed online at https://abd.iowa.gov/education/i-pact as well. Please present a hard copy or digital copy of your certificate when you check in at the Volunteer Tent to begin your shift.
Yuletide Hall Setup (heated tent): **Great for groups/team building** Work inside a tent, outside of the elements, set up tables and chairs and install lights and garland.
CDM Store Sales Associate (heated tent): In “An der Weihnachtsecke” (Christkindlmarket Des Moines store), we sell European foods/candy, beer steins/glassware, commemorative mugs, glass ornaments and merchandise from a large tent. Tasks may include: Helping ensure that product is displayed properly, operating a point-of-sale system on an iPad, taking cash and interacting with customers. Those volunteering Dec 4, 2025, 10am – 12:30pm will be mostly setting up tables and display racks. Those volunteering Dec 4, 2025, 12:30pm – 4:30pm will handle the initial setup of the store. This may require moving light shelving and/or boxes and will definitely involve merchandising. If you like to organize/rearrange things and/or have experience in a retail environment, this might be the shift for you! If you're not comfortable handling money - no biggie! - just let us know when you arrive for your shift.
CDM Bratwurst Imbiß am Markt (Sales): From a cozy wooden vendor hut, sell prepared brats to market patrons via an electronic point of sale. Also includes managing the condiment station, general clean-up of the space and the removal of trash and debris to appropriate areas.
CDM Bratwurst Imbiß am Markt (Food preparation): From a canopy tent adjacent to the festival venue, grill and package brats to be sold at a wooden vendor hut. Also includes general clean-up of the space, unboxing product and the removal of trash and debris to appropriate areas.
Yuletide Hall (heated tent): One of the features of Christkindlmarket Des Moines is our heated entertainment tent. If you're interested in music, performances and artistry, this is the place for you. As a Yuletide Hall volunteer, you will assist CDM Leaders to ensure that performers have arrived, are prepared to take the stage and have what they need to perform while maintaining a neat and tidy venue.
Volunteer Relations: You will be the initial contact for incoming volunteers at our Volunteer Tent. You'll help greet and check-in volunteers, direct them to assigned areas, and keep the Volunteer Tent organized. You may also be asked to assist in other volunteer areas as needed.
Information Table: Do you enjoy interacting with people? Why not volunteer at the Information Table! From our Information Tent, answer patron’s questions, provide festival maps, share European tourism information and provide information about Iowa European Cultural Connection. You'll be provided resources for FAQs along with a cell phone number you can call if you receive a difficult-to-answer questions.
Non-Profit Tree Setup: Support our non-profit silent auction by placing live, 6-foot fir trees in tree stands and positioning them in an outdoor tent
Non-Profit Tree Tear Down: Remove delicate ornaments from non-profit trees before shrink wrapping and help silent auction winners transport these items and possibly the tree to their vehicles.
KinderKorner: Help lead free games and activities for children of all ages in our covered activity area.
Host: Join us before the festival opens to wipe down tables, tidy the venue and ensure our sales areas are ready for the day.
Hobby Photographer: Do you enjoy taking pictures? Help us capture the spirit of Christkindlmarket Des Moines from behind your camera.
Public Relations: From the festival entrance, welcome patrons and hand out maps.
