The Spouses' Club of Lewis-McChord (SCLM) Kris Kringle Market takes place Nov. 18-19, 2022, at the Thurston County Fairgrounds. Get into the holiday spirit at this family friendly event which is modeled after the Christmas markets in Europe. Enjoy an indoor beer garden, more than 15 food trucks, photos with Santa and Krampus Seattle and Krampus Bremerton, nonprofit groups that dress as the Christmas monster Krampus. For an additional fee enjoy the North Pole Kid Zone with an obstacle course house, letters to Santa, holiday crafts, games and more.
Purchase your tickets online before the event for the best price. VIP packages are available as well. The VIP North Pole Experience for five is available for $50. It takes place on Saturday from noon-2 p.m. It includes tickets for a family of five or more, donuts and cocoa/cider for each person, skip the line photos with Santa, free commemorative photo frame with photo with Santa, admission into the Kid's Zone for children, early shopping access before the market opens to the public and premium parking. This package is limited to 100 families and is only available online.
Adults will enjoy the VIP Krampusnacht from 5-9 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. It is for adults over 21 years of age and includes a special Meet & Great with Krampus Seattle, four six-ounce beers from the Biergarten, and souvenir glassware from SCLM.
On Friday Nov. 18, there will be free admission for adults with an unwrapped toy. SCLM along with Krampus Seattle and Bremerton are collecting toys for Santa's Castle at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). Santa's Castle provides toys to military families E-5 and below who need support for their children during the holiday season. This annual event involves lots of volunteers. Parents shop for their children and get to pick out gifts from the selection of toys available. Santa's Castle even provides wrapping paper.
The Kris Kringle Market is one of SCLM's larger fundraisers of the year. Profits from the market support the SCLM Community Grants Fund which provides micro grants to non-profits in Thurston and Pierce Counties that directly impact the lives of service members and their families at JBLM.
Popular vendors returning from last year include Harley's Treats USA - a veteran-owned business which sells dog treats, Doppio's Coffee - which has a unique menu of holiday-themed drinks, and Plummer Craft & Woodworking - which is bringing a variety of holiday-themed woodcrafts for sale. Lefty's Glass will have live glass blowing. For military-themed gifts visit the SCLM Summit Shoppe with military and JBLM themed gifts. Traditional Christmas market treats will be available including fudge, hot cocoa, hot cider, mulled wine, and caramel apples. With more than 15 food trucks there will be a variety of food options.
KRIS KRINGLE MARKET 2022, 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 18; 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19; Thurston County Fairgrounds, 3054 Carpenter Rd. SE, Lacey, $5-$50, www.spousesclublm.org/holiday-market.