CULLMAN, Ala. – The 2024 Cullman Christkindlmarkt brought holiday cheer to downtown Cullman, setting new records and solidifying its place as a premier seasonal event.
Nathan Anderson, executive director of Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism, reflected on the event’s success and shared plans for its future.
“This year’s Christkindlmarkt significantly outpaced last year, with major improvements in the market’s duration, food variety and merchandise offerings,” he said. “We added five additional days of operations and introduced extended hours on Thursdays to give seniors a less crowded time to visit. This year, our goal was to elevate the whole family experience with a broader range of attractions, food options and entertainment, ensuring enjoyment for everyone.”
The event welcomed over 300,000 attendees from 45 states, including visitors from as far away as Alaska.
“The expansive draw of our market highlights Cullman’s emerging status as a premier holiday destination,” Anderson said.
Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs shared his appreciation for the teamwork and dedication that made the event such a success.
“As mayor and on behalf of the city council, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the parks and recreation department and all City departments whose collaboration and dedication made this year’s Christkindlmarkt an outstanding success,” he said. “Together, we have created an atmosphere that not only brings joy to our community, but also attracts visitors from across the nation. The tireless efforts of our Christkindlmarkt team — including staff, volunteers and vendors — ensure this event remains a beacon of holiday spirit and community engagement. We are all eagerly looking forward to building on this success in the years to come.”
As with any large event, there were challenges.
“Looking back, the significant crowds at peak times occasionally made it tough for visitors to find places to eat or enjoy themselves fully,” Anderson admitted. “We’re already looking at ways to expand the market site and operational enhancements to better handle the crowds and improve the overall experience next year.”
One common concern raised by attendees was the lack of accessible parking for handicapped visitors.
Anderson addressed this issue, stating, “This year, we extended our Thursday hours to help alleviate some of the congestion and provide a less crowded option during the week, which was particularly well received by many of our senior visitors. Moving forward, we’re committed to further improving access by increasing parking near the north entrance and setting up a designated drop-off and pick-up zone around Arnold Street for seniors and others needing easier access.”
When asked to summarize the event in one word, Anderson chose “magical.”
“It’s tremendously rewarding to witness both young and old sharing laughter, making memories and celebrating all the things that make Christmas special, together,” he said.
Looking ahead, expansion is already on the table.
“We are already reviewing plans and meeting with vendors to broaden the festival’s scope next year,” Anderson revealed. “We’re considering expanding into the (Cullman) Economic Development (Agency) parking area to accommodate more vendors and attractions, providing additional space to better serve our growing audience.”
Feedback from families has also prompted organizers to explore ways to extend the market’s schedule.
“After hearing similar requests last year, we decided to add additional days and extend our hours of operation during the week to better accommodate school field trips,” Anderson said. “In the coming months, we will be meeting with our vendors to discuss next year’s schedule and explore all possible options to meet this increasing demand.”
CPRST Event Coordinator Kelly Pulliam expressed gratitude for the support that made this year’s event a success.
“We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to our team, vendors, volunteers and generous sponsors,” she said. “To our community and visitors from both near and far, your support each year transforms the Christkindlmarkt into a truly magical event.”
Copyright 2024 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
