CULLMAN, Ala. – Local and regional nonprofit organizations have until Monday, Aug. 3, to apply for an opportunity to share their missions with hundreds of thousands of visitors during the 2026 Cullman Christkindlmarkt.
Selected organizations will participate in the market’s Christkind Season of Giving, which provides fundraising opportunities and scheduled time on-site to meet guests, explain their work and encourage community support.
“The Season of Giving reminds us that the Christkindlmarkt is about more than lights, culture and traditions. It’s an opportunity to connect hundreds of thousands of visitors with the incredible organizations that are making a difference in our community every day,” Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Executive Director Nathan Anderson said.
Participating organizations will benefit from round-up donations collected at participating vendor checkouts, Giving Haus ornament sales and direct donation points throughout the market.
All donations collected through the Season of Giving will be pooled and divided evenly among the participating organizations. Selected charities will receive additional information about collection procedures, financial reporting and participation schedules before the event.
The program builds on the market’s charitable efforts in 2025, when vendors, volunteers and other fundraisers generated $60,923 for 14 organizations.
“The response to last year’s Season of Giving was incredibly encouraging. While we’re limited in the number of organizations we can accommodate each year, our goal is to work with as many local nonprofits as possible over the coming years and continue growing this program’s impact,” Anderson said.
Selected organizations will be notified by Friday, Aug. 14. Representatives from each participating nonprofit will be required to attend an orientation Friday, Aug. 28.
“Whether your organization is well established or just beginning to grow, this program is designed to help you tell your story, build new relationships and benefit from the generosity of our guests. We encourage every eligible nonprofit to apply,” Anderson said.
Applications may be submitted at support.cullmanchristkindlmarkt.com/ckm-charity-application.
The 2026 Cullman Christkindlmarkt will be held Nov. 19-Dec. 23 at Depot Park in downtown Cullman.
Following the 2025 Cullman Christkindlmarkt, 14 local organizations received donations:
- Cullman Area Technology Academy
- Children’s of Alabama
- Brooks’ Place
- Curt’s Closet
- Northbrook Caring Center
- United Way of Cullman County
- ONE30 Network
- Pilot Light Home
- Cullman Elks Lodge
- Cullman Caring for Kids
- The Link of Cullman County
- The Willow Path
- Hope Horses
- Cullman County Public Library
