Christmas markets, also known as holiday markets, have become increasingly popular in the United States in recent years. These festive markets are held in towns and cities across the country, and typically feature stalls selling a variety of holiday-themed items such as Christmas decorations, toys, and gifts. Many Christmas markets also offer a variety of festive foods and drinks, such as hot cocoa, caramel apples, and roasted chestnuts. What is a Christmas Market? It is a street market associated with Christmas celebrations. The history of Christmas markets traces back to Striezelmarkt, which was the first official Christmas market in the world held in Dresden, the capital city of Saxony, Germany. In Europe, the markets open during the four weeks of Advent. See some the the Best Europe Christmas Markets.
Today, Christmas markets attract millions of followers with rustic and authentic designs. Many major cities across the world have one, where the yearly street festivals turn city centers into magical fairylands. It’s an opportunity to get into the holiday spirit. Enjoy the lights, purchase handmade artisan gifts, listen to live music, taste mulled wine, and gingerbread.
Annual German-style Christmas Markets in the United States :
Christmas Market Chicago has Christmas carols playing in the background as you stroll and take in the wonderful smells of roasted nuts, bratwurst, fresh pretzels, and hot, spiced wine, while you gaze at the sparkling Christmas lights. Explore collectibles from across the world with nutcrackers and beer steins to everything in between. Over 60 percent of the food, drinks, and merchandise vendors hail from Germany. Each year, this market starts in November and is open until the end of December. It is magical, like a little German Village tucked away in downtown Chicago, apart from the skyscrapers. See the holiday lights, try ice skating, shop the holiday stalls, explore the winter wonderland with the kids, catch a festive show, and warm up with hot cocoa. The authentic Christkindlmarkets in Downtown Chicago and at Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville are a unique ADMISSION-FREE experience. The smell of roasted nuts, fresh pretzels, bratwurst and hot spiced wine, the sound of festive music, and the glimmer of sparkling Christmas ornaments, all in a cozy atmosphere – a visit to the market takes all your senses on a journey! Both the Daley Plaza and Wrigleyville editions of Christkindlmarket open on November 19. The Daley Plaza market will remain open through December 24 while the Wrigleyville market will remain open through December 31. Both markets are open seven days a week, through hours vary.
Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem Pennsylvania is a one-of-a-kind family event that celebrates the spirit of the season in Bethlehem, Pa. Twice recognized as one of the best holiday markets in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure. Live Christmas music, Käthe Wohlfahrt, offering handmade ornaments, nutcrackers and collectibles from Germany, handmade gifts. Christkindlmarkt begins on Friday, November 18 and runs weekends until December 18! The event is open Friday-Sunday the first two weekends of its run and starting December 2 they add Thursdays to the mix.
Denver Christkindl market is old world of an authentic German Holiday Market in the heart of Denver! Runs from NOVEMBER 18 – DECEMBER 23 at Civic Center Park. It was voted one of USA Today’s Top 10 Holiday Markets. Stroll through alleys lined with cozy wooden huts and shop for unique, finely crafted artisan gifts and tasty treats brought to you by local and international small businesses. As cheerful sounds of live holiday music fill the air, savor the season with traditional glühwein, German biers, and traditional holiday fare from across Europe.
Texas Christkindl Market in Arlington, one of the largest open air holiday markets in the Southwest. Open from November 18 through January at the Choctaw Stadium Globe Life Park. Go to experience the German tradition of our Texas Christkindl Market – Admission to the market is free! Texas Christkindl Market also works with its partner Christmas city, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, to bring the same wonderful magic and feeling to Texas. Visitors will discover handcrafted gifts and collectibles, including exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt merchandise and designs from the iconic Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village.
Downtown Holiday Market Washington, D.C. a favorite Christmas market among foodies because of the fresh donuts, ice cream, and holiday treats for sale under festive tents. The market near the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, so it’s an easy walk from these popular sightseeing areas. The 17th annual Downtown Holiday market runs from November 18 to December 23 with two entire blocks of F Street NW, from 7th to 9th Streets NW. With its main grand entrance located on the sidewalk in front of the National Portrait Gallery,
Great Dickens Christmas Fair Daly City, California, situated on the city’s northern border with neighboring San Francisco. It runs for 3 weekends: Nov. 19 – Dec. 18, 10am to 6pm at the Cow Palace Exhibition Halls. A taste of the Dickens Christmas fair from the comfort of your car. Enjoy a curated selection of the delicious foods, delightful entertainments, and handmade crafts of the Fair. Enjoy street scenes and enchanting tableaus from ‘A Christmas Carol’, lively music, an enticing selection of hearty English foods, and handcrafted holiday gifts available for purchase as you drive through an outdoor version of the Fair’s Grand Concourse!
Old World Christmas Market Elkhart Lake Wisconsin open daily from 10 AM – 5 PM, December 2 – 11. Reminiscent of the centuries-old Christkindlesmarkt of Nüremberg, Germany, the 23rd annual Old World Christmas Market at The Osthoff Resort offers the warmth and merriment of this Old World tradition. Stroll through the heated tents and shop for specialty items among international and regional artisans. Czech blown-glass ornaments, Russian nesting dolls, German hand-carved smokers and nutcrackers, fine apparel, handmade amber and silver jewelry, Turkish pashmina scarves and shawls, stained glass art, Russian hand-painted Santas, fresh green wreaths, kissing balls and centerpieces, alpaca products, Estonia woolens, fine chocolates, Plauen lace, fine woodwork, fur products and much more!
Christkindl market Alpine Helen Georgia : 15th Annual Christkindlmarkt on the Marktplatz runs November 26-27 and December 3-4 with free admission. Christkindlmarkt is a traditional German event that offers everything from unique gifts and decorations to an assortment of savory and sweet foods, drinks and candied treats.
Christkindlmarkt Carmel Indiana in Hamilton County, Indiana breathes life into this quiet little town. Runs from NOVEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 30. The locals named it Carmel Farmers Market, a favorite market for farmers and residents. Carmel Christkindlmarkt is dedicated to creating an authentic German market with products sourced from Germany and other German-speaking European countries. You will find a blend of traditional German foods and gifts being sold from small wooden huts, and the market surrounds a beautiful outdoor ice skating rink. The Carmel Christkindlmarkt has become the premier holiday offering in Indiana, attracting well over half a million people since the opening. The vendors sell authentic products from local artisans and others imported from Germany. Some of the collectible items you might find are boot mugs, wooden toys, nutcrackers, music boxes, and ornaments. Try a German pretzel, Raclette (melted cheese served on bread), Lebkuchen (German cookie), Stollen (dried fruit bread) or the German favorite, bratwurst. You can ice skate at the ice rink, visit Kulturecke, a German history museum, or Gluhwein Pyramid, which stands over 33 feet high and decorated with 3000 lights. Try ten varieties of beverages including beer, mulled wine, non-alcoholic drinks, hot chocolate, and punch for the children.
Christmas Village in Baltimore where you can explore an authentic German Christmas market. Located at West Shore Inner Harbor from Thanksgiving to December 24 11am to 7pm daily. There are weekday beer and wine tasting. Over 50 international vendors selling items. Christmas Village in Baltimore is a combination of an outdoor and indoor holiday market at West Shore Park at the Inner Harbor. The event is modeled after the traditional Christmas Markets in Germany like the famous Christkindl Market in Nuremberg.
Cambria Christmas Market California is set up in Cambria Pines Lodge on 6 acres and hosting 45,000 people annually. Runs from Nov. 25-Dec. 23. Everything is designed to make you feel like you are in a regular German market. This beloved, annual event will feature 2 million twinkling Christmas lights, complete with themed vignettes, visits from Santa, cozy fire pits, delicious food and drink and an authentic German Christmas Market. The Market will feature imported German goods, including nutcrackers, smokers and ornaments, along with handcrafted items from local artists and artisans. Everything from the tunnel of lights, down to Santa’s workshop, and back up the new path will be illuminated with beloved displays from past Cambria Christmas Markets. There will also be food and beverage booths with everyone’s favorite authentic German treats!
Charlotte Christmas Village Christkindlmarkt runs from November 24 to December 23. Visit The Christmas Village and Light the Knights for holiday cheer, unique shopping and the usual European menu including bratwurst, schnitzel, and strudel, along with the popular Gluhwein, hot cider, beers, and of course, hot chocolate. From Christmas Tree Lane to the Snowtastic Winter Wonderland, you’ll be treated to tens of thousands of lights, trees, and displays as you stroll through the ballpark culminating at the Charlotte Christmas Village.
Germania Christkindlmarkt Cincinnati runs from November 4-6. Christkindlmarkt is the Cincinnati region’s oldest and most authentic German Christmas market. Based on traditional Christmas markets that are popular throughout Germany, our Christkindlmarkt is mostly under our covered pavilion and heated tents, with some booths and attractions outdoors. Sip on a cold German bier, or enjoy a cup of Glühwein, hot mulled wine while shopping for unique gifts from Germany and from local crafters, and listen to music that will get you in the holiday spirit!
In New York there are a few we need to mention…
Bryant Park Winter Village opens at the end of October. Bryant Park is really one of the most festive Christmas markets in NYC and there is no admission charge! So many specialty vendors and themed attractions to see. There is also an ice skating rink, and holiday stands to offer seasonal bites, as well as beverages to refuel.
Union Square Market is open November 18-December 24. One of the most well-known Christmas markets in the United States is the Union Square Holiday Market in New York City. This market features over 100 stalls selling a variety of holiday gifts, including handmade crafts, jewelry, and clothing. It is one of the biggest holiday markets in New York city. The Union Square Holiday Market offers a great choice of shopping options from local artists, food and festive drink options like hot chocolate and coffee with fancy holiday flavors.
Grand Central Station Market is an indoor Christmas market in NYC. Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central boasts a large month-long indoor holiday market runs from November 18 – December 24. The Grand Central Holiday Fair returns to Vanderbilt Hall in November 2022.
Other U.S. Christmas markets to check out include Christkindlmarkt – Leavenworth, Washington; Arlington Christkindl Market – Arlington, Texas; Downtown Holiday Market – Washington, D.C.; Old World Christmas Market – Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin; Christkindlmarket Alpine – Helen, Georgia; Christmas Village – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania & Georgetown Christmas Market – Georgetown, Colorado.
In addition to traditional Christmas markets, many cities and towns in the United States also host holiday fairs and festivals. These events often feature a variety of holiday-themed activities, such as carol singing, tree lighting ceremonies, and visits with Santa Claus. Overall, Christmas markets and holiday fairs are a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit and experience the unique culture and traditions of different regions in the United States. They are a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, and offer a festive atmosphere that is perfect for celebrating the holiday season.
Browse Christmas market tours & river cruises in Europe.
