Kris Kindle Market

The name Kris Kindle traces its roots to Christkindl, German for "Christ child." In parts of Germany, Austria and Central Europe, the Christkindl is associated with the Christmas tradition of gift-giving, and the open-air markets held during Advent are often known as Christkindl markets. Variations of the name have evolved across cultures and languages over time.

We want to be transparent about those origins. The Kris Kindle Market is inspired by a tradition rooted in Christmas, and that history is part of the story we're celebrating.

The market began last year to give local artists and makers a place to sell and be seen during Conifer's parade weekend, when many of them otherwise wouldn't have had one. The name and European market concept were part of the event from the start.

When PCAO took on the market, we chose to continue that tradition while also thinking intentionally about how this celebration fits within our broader commitment to arts, culture and belonging.

For centuries, communities across Europe have gathered during the winter among market stalls filled with handmade goods, warm food, music and local traditions.

What drew us to that tradition feels especially at home in our mountain community: artists and makers sharing their work, neighbors gathering together, and creativity bringing warmth and connection to the darkest part of the year.

The Kris Kindle Market brings that spirit to Conifer, with our own local artists, performers, makers and community at its heart.

After listening to community feedback and reflecting on the market's original purpose, we decided to keep the name. We're also being much more intentional about how this event fits within PCAO's broader commitment to cultural inclusion and belonging.

The Kris Kindle Market is one celebration of one tradition, and it isn't meant to define PCAO. Our goal is for it to be one of many ways our community discovers different cultures and traditions through the arts.

Absolutely not. Everyone is welcome at the Kris Kindle Market.

You might come to discover a local artist, find a handmade gift, hear live music, make something with your kids, enjoy good food or simply spend time with your neighbors.

This year's market falls during Hanukkah. The market's dates are tied to Conifer's parade weekend, which isn't a schedule PCAO sets on its own. Still, we understand why the timing matters, and it hasn't been lost on us.

To our Jewish neighbors: you are warmly welcome at the market, and we wish you a joyful Hanukkah.

Conversations with members of our community helped us think more deeply about this, and we're grateful for them. One lesson stood out: meaningful inclusion isn't necessarily about adding pieces of every December holiday to one event. Hanukkah has its own history, meaning and traditions, and it deserves to be celebrated as more than an addition to a Christmas market.

Because we believe distinct cultural traditions deserve to be celebrated with depth, context and authenticity.

The Kris Kindle Market is inspired specifically by the European Christmas market tradition, so we want to be honest about that and celebrate it well. Adding symbols or activities from other holidays might look more inclusive, but it can reduce meaningful traditions to seasonal decorations.

Inclusion, to us, doesn't mean making every event about everything. It means building a cultural community where more people have the chance to see their stories celebrated with care.

PCAO is working to build the cultural heart of our mountain community, and we believe that heart should have room for everyone.

We're just beginning to build our programming. Over time, we want to create opportunities to explore the many cultures and traditions represented in our community through art, music, dance, food and stories, with the same care we bring to the Kris Kindle Market.

Authentic cultural programming requires listening to and learning from the people whose traditions we hope to celebrate. Belonging means building relationships with people whose experiences differ from our own, approaching traditions with curiosity and respect, and inviting the people who hold those traditions to help shape how they're shared.

The conversations around this year's market also helped us think beyond this one event. As we grow, we'll consider cultural and religious calendars earlier in our planning, build community partnerships, and invite people with lived experience to help shape programming connected to their traditions.

Belonging doesn't require us to make every cultural tradition the same. It asks us to make room for more traditions to be experienced, understood and celebrated fully.

We're a growing organization, and we won't always get everything right the first time. What matters is that we listen, learn and keep building. Above all, we want these values to show up not only in what we say, but in what our community actually experiences.