Stand Tall for Christkindlmarkt’s 30th Anniversary with 7-Foot-Tall Nutcrackers

Next year, Ferdinand Christkindlmarkt will be celebrating its 30th year, initiating a new project this month, “Your Business. Your Family. Your Nutcracker. Stand Tall for Our 30th Anniversary!” The project invites businesses, families, schools, organizations, clubs, and individuals to bring their creativity to celebrate in a very special way—with 7-foot-tall nutcrackers.

The goal of the project is to have 30+ nutcrackers on display to celebrate 30 years – each nutcracker uniquely built and decorated by those wishing to participate. The 30+ finished nutcrackers will make their grand debut at the 2027 Ferdinand Christkindlmarkt, November 20–21, 2027. 

After the 2027 Christkindlmarkt, participants take their nutcracker with them to proudly display it at their business or home during the holidays. 

To participate, register and pay $250. Ferdinand Tourism Commission provides the materials needed to build each nutcracker with that cost, partnering with Krempp Lumber Company for a discount on items. Then, those participating bring the creativity – in which the nutcracker can represent a business, family, organization, or a special person to honor in remembrance. 

Each nutcracker will receive a metal plaque with up to 20 characters for designations. 

For $300, individuals can instead sponsor a school or organization to build and decorate a nutcracker, allowing those entities to become involved. Ferdinand Tourism, once again, provides the materials needed to build the nutcrackers. The additional $50 funds would be given to the school or organization to fund paint, decorations, and accessories to bring their creative vision to life.

If organizations love the idea but don’t have the needed talent or time to execute, individuals can pay $250 and the cost of any needed additional materials, and the committee will connect them with someone to turn their idea into a one-of-a-kind nutcracker. 

Individuals are asked to register to participate by December 1, 2026. Materials may be picked up between November 16 to December 16, 2026, at the Dubois County Visitors Center. Individuals will then have nearly a year to build and decorate their nutcracker. 

For more information on this project and to register, go to: visitduboiscounty.com/stand-tall-for-christkindlmarkt/

A dream for this committee is to see nutcrackers popping up all over Dubois County—in front of businesses, in yards, and throughout communities—not just in 2027, but for all Christmases. What begins as a Christkindlmarkt fundraiser can also become a new tradition throughout Dubois County. 

Individuals can “stand tall” with Ferdinand Christkindlmarkt for this special 30th Anniversary.