About This Festival

The Ferdinand Christkindlmarkt is a traditional holiday market held annually the third full weekend in November in Ferdinand, Indiana, a Bavarian-themed town named after Ferdinand I of Austria. The 2025 festival runs November 15-16 with opening ceremonies on the evening of November 14. It features over 200 lavishly decorated booths filled with quality handmade items, antiques, art, and Christmas wares. Visitors can enjoy regional food and wine, live entertainment including a Glockenspiel, free concerts, free shuttle service connecting six market sites across the town, and guided tours.

The event's origins come from the German Christmas market tradition dating back to the 14th century, adapted to this American small town setting to celebrate the Advent season with artisans like toy makers, wood carvers, basket weavers, and candle makers selling their crafts, just as in historic German markets.

The festival atmosphere is festive with a Bavarian village vibe, decorated market booths, performances, and community events. The market spans multiple sites including the central area around St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, which hosts many booths and activities.

A rough schedule overview:

  • November 14, 2025 (Friday evening): Opening ceremonies starting at 6:30 PM, likely at a central or church area.
  • November 15 (Saturday): Market open 9 AM – 5 PM at six locations around town, including food and shopping.
  • November 16 (Sunday): Market open 10 AM – 4 PM with final day of shopping and entertainment.

Activities include:

  • Shopping at over 200 booths with handmade crafts, antiques, and Christmas gifts.
  • Sampling regional food and wine specialties.
  • Enjoying live Glockenspiel music, various live entertainment shows, and free concerts.
  • Participating in free guided tours of the town and festival highlights.
  • Using free shuttle service to move comfortably among the six market sites.
  • Exploring traditional artisan demonstrations and Christmas-themed attractions.

The event is fully handicapped accessible. The combination of Bavarian heritage, craft artistry, quality food and drink, and cultural entertainment creates a warm, festive, family-friendly atmosphere that draws roughly 3,000 visitors annually, making it a key holiday event in southern Indiana.