Christmas markets have their roots in European history, but have also become incredibly popular in festive cities and towns across the U.S. Exploring these markets is a fun way to celebrate the season and stock up on holiday gifts and goodies without having to travel abroad.
Families, couples, and groups of friends can all enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas at these markets that are full of ornaments, Christmas trees, and warm winter wear. You can often find delicious gingersnaps, roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, and hot chocolate to entice your taste buds and keep you warm.
So this holiday season, unless you’re traveling to one of the famous Christmas Markets in Europe, consider visiting one of these festive markets to get in the spirit of Christmas. These cities also make excellent travel destinations in November and December to see how other cities celebrate the season.
Christkindlmarket – Chicago, Illinois
Sausages are one of the top reasons that Chicago’s Christkindlmarket is one of the top Christmas markets in the country, and it’s been one of the longest-running Christmas markets in the U.S. There are plenty of other amazing German-inspired foods here, and many vendors that sell cuckoo clocks, table laces, ornaments, and woodworking masterpieces. One of the essential activities at this market is to get a glass of gluhwein in a themed cup that changes designs every year. For the kids, there’s a Kinder Club that organizes fun activities, like scavenger hunts. Admission to the festivities is free.
Dates: November 22nd– December 24th, 2024
Official Website
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair – San Francisco, California
This is a unique Christmas market because it primarily celebrates the life and work of the great author, Charles Dickens. This fair will transform you back to London in Victorian times, as San Francisco takes on a whole new look. Expect to see lamp-lit lanes with pubs, shops, and restaurants that recreate Victorian London. Bring your top hat and dress in character because this is a festival to remember! Make sure to catch some of the theater performances and entertainment provided by local actors. This market is typically open for five weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Shops onsite sell jewelry, masks, journals, drinkware, ceramics, and unique toys for kids. Visit the five traditional pubs for food and drinks, make your own crafts, and even get your fortune told!
Dates: Weekends November 23rd – December 22nd, 2024
Official Website
Christkindlmarkt – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Leave it to a town named Bethlehem to throw an incredible Christmas market. This is a classic Christmas market that embraces old-world traditions and exudes authenticity. Here you’ll find glassblowers and other artisans creating holiday treasures for you to decorate your home or give as gifts. Favorite activities among families with kids include sitting on Santa’s lap and eating breakfast with Santa. This market runs on select days starting right after Thanksgiving.
Dates: Begins on Friday, November 15 and runs weekends until December 22, 2024
Official Website
Union Square Holiday Market – New York City, New York
Christmas in New York City is a truly magical time, and aside from Rockefeller Square and Central Park, the place to be to celebrate is the Union Square Holiday Market. This market draws about a million people per year and typically has over 150 vendors set up. You can find unique handmade wearables and jewelry here, as well as children’s toys and Christmas ornaments under the red and white striped tents. You can find some excellent handcrafted bowls, winter accessories, artwork, and candles here. Lots of the artisans sell certified organic and fair-trade goods, as well as ones that are recycled and made in New York. You can find a list of the vendors on the Urbanspace NYC website.
Dates: November 14, 2024 to December 24, 2024
Official Website
Texas Christkindl Market – Arlington, Texas
The city of Arlington is the place to be if you love crafts and Christmas. This Christkindl Market is one of the largest of its kind in the Southwest, full of vendors that sell beautiful pieces of pottery, garments with alpaca wool, and Christmas decorations. There are lots of kid-themed activities here, including a puppet show and petting zoo. The lantern parade is definitely worth watching too.
Dates: November 22nd – 24th, November 29th – December 23rd, 2024
Official Website
Downtown Holiday Market – Washington, D.C.
Another great place to celebrate Christmas is our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. This is a favorite Christmas market among foodies because of the fresh donuts, ice cream, and holiday treats for sale under festive tents. Non-traditional and ethnic foods, like churros and empanadas, can also be found here to savor and enjoy. You’ll find this market near the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, so it’s an easy walk from these popular sightseeing spots. The market is located at 8th and F Streets and is open daily, and lots of musical acts across all genres perform at the Market Stage.
Dates: November 22nd to December 15th, 2024
Official Website
Old World Christmas Market - Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
One particularly fun place to bring in the Christmas season is Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. This market has traditionally been held at the Osthoff Resort and features a heated tent full of German crafts, apparel, nutcrackers, and gingerbread houses. You’ll also find gift ideas inspired by Russian and Czech traditions too. This market typically lasts for about 10 days in early December. Favorite foods to enjoy here include bratwursts, dumplings, potato pancakes, red cabbage, and apple strudels.
Dates: December 6-15, 2024
Official Website
Christkindlmarkt Alpine – Helen, Georgia
Helen is a German-themed town in northern Georgia, so it only makes sense that there would be a Christkindlmarkt here! This is a very walkable town, and the winters here are usually mild and pleasant. There are several German restaurants in town outside the festival, as well as fun shops that are open year-round. At all times of the year, you’ll notice the German-themed architecture of the buildings in Helen and the beautiful alpine scenery that you might not expect to find in Georgia.
Dates: The Annual Lighting of the Village will take place November 29th at 6:00 PM, all other events November 30 & December 1, 7 & 8, 2024
Official Website
Christmas Village – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
There are dozens of vendors at Philadelphia’s Christmas Village, which sells lots of holiday gifts and delicious foods. Favorite foods of the festival include sausages and waffles. This market carries a very authentic German vibe and is also famous for its mulled wine. This market is located downtown at Love Park just west of City Hall. It runs from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve and often has a “sneak peek” weekend before the official opening to get visitors excited for what’s to come.
Dates: November 23rd – December 24th, 2024
Official Website
Denver Christkindlmarket, Denver
One of the best holiday events in Colorado, the Denver Christkindlmarket transforms Civic Center Park into a magical European-style Christmas village. It features lots of dazzling lights, festive tunes, dancing, wooden vendor huts, and an authentic German Bier Hall. It’s similar to what’s hosted in so many German public squares, with all sorts of craft artisans, gifts, bakers, and chefs from around the world serving up holiday treats and of course, plenty of beer and mulled wine.
Dates: November 22nd – December 23rd, 2024
Official Website
Germania Society Christkindlmarkt - Cincinnati, Ohio
The Germania Society’s annual Christkindlmarkt is the region’s oldest and most authentic German Christmas market. Held every winter since 1998, the family-friendly event is based on traditional Christmas markets popular in Germany. Sip on German bier and Glühwein, then get your Christmas shopping done early while shopping for unique gifts. Popular imported German items include bier steins, cuckoo clocks, nutcrackers, linens, glass-blown ornaments, candle arches called “Schwibbogen” and “pyramid” candle holders with carousels. Fill up with homemade cabbage rolls and other savory German foods, then let the kids meet Santa.
Dates: November 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 2024
Official Website
Atlanta Christkindl Market - Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta’s Christkindl Market transports you to a traditional German market, held at The Buckhead Village District. Enjoy authentic German food in this festive atmosphere, such as tasty currywurst and bratwurst. You can spend time browsing vendors selling crafts and other items, including hand-carved wooden toys and trinkets and colorful ornaments. If you’re lucky, you might spot Santa or the famous Nuremberg Christkind with her white and golden dress, long blond curls, and sparking gold crown.
Dates: November 22nd – December 24th, 2024
Official Website
Savannah Christmas Market - Savannah, Georgia
Plan a trip to the Savannah Christmas Market at Plant Riverside, Savannah’s Entertainment District. The traditional Salzburg Christmas Market kicks off with a Tree Lighting Ceremony, and the celebrations continue with live music and performances, children’s activities, photos with Santa, and the Savannah Harbor Boat Parade of Lights. Bring the whole family and stroll through the European-style Christmas market and enjoy the holiday cheer throughout Savannah.
Dates: November 21st – December 21st, 2024
Official Website
