September 12, 2025
Re: Closing Mercy Street from Bryant to Castro streets and from Castro to Hope streets Dear Mountain View Community Members,
The German International School of Silicon Valley (GISSV), located at 310 Easy Street in Mountain View, is proud to present its 12th annual German Holiday Market in City Hall Plaza this year. The event is on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 11am - 9pm.
To accommodate the setup of the event, GISSV is seeking approval from the City Council to close Mercy Street between Bryant and Castro streets and Mercy Street between Castro and Hope streets from 12:01 pm on Friday, December 12, until 1:00 am on Sunday, December 14.
Castro Street between California and Church streets, including the Castro and Mercy St. intersection, will remain open to traffic until 12:01 am on Saturday, December 13.
As previously approved, Castro Street between California and Church streets will be closed from 12:01 am on Saturday, December 13, until 1:00 am on Sunday, December 14. Local traffic to residences and businesses between 555-599 Castro Street will have controlled access throughout the closure.
The German Holiday Market brings to downtown Mountain View the European tradition of an open-air winter market, where GISSV, local artisans, and merchants offer items and food for sale, including specialty products from Germany. Warm spiced wine (Glühwein) and hot apple cider (Kinderpunsch)—the hallmarks of this cozy winter tradition—are also offered. The festival booths will have wooden facades on them to create the look and feel of a German village. This event raises funds for GISSV, a non-profit preschool through Grade 12 bilingual school.
The City Council will consider this request for closure of Mercy Street as part of the Consent Calendar on Tuesday, September 23, in City Hall Council Chambers, 500 Castro St. Meeting times are subject to change. Please confirm the scheduled start time on the City's website:
http://www.mountainview.gov.
You are welcome to share your thoughts on this matter with the Council when the matter is heard.
We also welcome your questions and feedback directly. Please contact Holiday Market Co-Chair Sheila Muto (650) 254-0748 x327, or send an email to [email protected].
Sincerely,
Dr. Wolfram Schrimpf
Head of School
Attachment 5