Best Christmas Markets in the US: Magical Holiday Destinations You Must Visit
Wandering through Christmas markets is magical. The twinkling lights shine brightly. The scent of mulled cider fills the air. There is joy in discovering handcrafted gifts. Europe is famous for its centuries-old holiday markets. The US has embraced the tradition with its own unique flair. From coast to coast, you’ll find enchanting destinations that bring the spirit of the season to life.
Midwest Christmas Markets
🌟 Christkindlmarket – Chicago, Illinois
Inspired by Germany’s traditional holiday markets, Chicago’s Christkindlmarket is one of the most iconic in the US. Visitors can stroll through wooden stalls filled with ornaments, handmade crafts, and delicious treats like bratwurst and spiced wine. The festive atmosphere in Daley Plaza makes it a must-see for anyone craving authentic European charm in the Midwest.
🌟Carmel Christkindlmarkt – Carmel, Indiana
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt brings a bit of German holiday cheer to Indiana during this annual festive event. The market features one of the only Glühwein pyramids in the U.S., standing 33 feet tall with more than 3,000 lights. Visitors can enjoy perusing the traditional wooden market huts, trying delicious German food and drinks, and the festive atmosphere.
🎄European Christmas Market, St. Paul, MN
Each winter, Union Depot in St. Paul, Minnesota, transforms into the European Christmas Market, a free event inspired by the open-air markets of Germany and Austria. Over 80 vendors sell handmade gifts, decorations, and European-inspired foods and drinks. There is plenty of live entertainment. Activities abound for guests of all ages. Highlights include the market’s famed holiday train and carousel.
🎄Holland Kerstmarkt, Michigan
To visit one of the most festive domestic destinations, go to Holland. It is a Michigan town settled by Dutch immigrants in the 19th century. Holland’s annual Kerstmarkt (Dutch for “Christmas market”) has gift stalls, traditional food, and artisan demonstrations. The event is held on Fridays and Saturdays only from November 21 to December 20, 2025. Vendors rotate, so you’ll get a new experience each weekend you visit.
🎄Old World Christmas Market, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Immersive is the name of the Christmas game at the Old World Christmas Market at The Osthoff Resort. It’s a 10-day event held every December. In 2024, USA Today’s Readers’ Choice voted it #1 Best Christmas Market. A Christmas shopping bazaar lies beneath a (heated) tent. It is filled with glass ornaments, hand-carved nutcrackers, and stained glass art. You will also find fresh green wreaths and fine chocolates. It probably has everything listed in “The 12 Days of Christmas.”
Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt, Cincinnati
Cincy’s traditional Christkindlmarkt will warm your cockles between November 22 and January 5 with an abundance of holiday spirit. A cute collection of chalets and tents house vendors. They hawk advent calendars, nutcrackers, greeting cards, and snow globes. You can also find jewelry and knits.
Mid Atlantic Christmas Markets
🎄 Union Square Holiday Market – New York City, New York
Set in the heart of Manhattan, this bustling market is perfect for holiday shopping. Local artisans showcase unique gifts ranging from jewelry to gourmet foods, while the vibrant city backdrop adds extra sparkle. It’s a favorite stop for both tourists and locals looking to soak up the holiday cheer.
❄️ Downtown Holiday Market – Washington, D.C.
Just steps from the National Portrait Gallery, this market transforms downtown D.C. into a winter wonderland. With over 70 exhibitors, visitors can find everything from fine art to festive snacks. Live music and cultural performances make it more than just a shopping destination—it’s a full holiday experience.
✨ Christmas Village – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Modeled after traditional German markets, Philadelphia’s Christmas Village takes over LOVE Park with more than 80 vendors. Shoppers can browse ornaments, toys, and seasonal treats while enjoying festive entertainment. The city’s famous holiday spirit makes this market a family favorite.
✨Peoples Gas Holiday Market, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Downtown Pittsburgh’s annual Peoples Gas Holiday Market is set in beautifully illuminated Market Square. There’s typically live music to enjoy. You can peruse the wooden chalets brimming with holiday goods. There are items ranging from handmade Polish folk art to Celtic Irish gifts. Lean into the European feel of it all by having a fresh Austrian strudel or bratwurst while you’re there. The market kicks off on November 22, 2025, and is open daily (except for Thanksgiving) through Christmas Eve.
❄Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem
The Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem in Pennsylvania is a highly-rated, German-inspired Christmas market. It is known for unique artisan crafts, food, and a festive atmosphere. It is often recognized as a top holiday market in the U.S., running seasonally from mid-November through December with heated tents and a village setting, featuring vendors, St. Nicholas, and holiday cheer in Bethlehem, the “Christmas City”.
Christmas Village Baltimore
Located in the city’s Inner Harbor area, Christmas Village in Baltimore (November 19 to December 24) started in 2013. It began as a sister market to Philadelphia’s fair. It is already becoming a seasonal must-see. The market combines indoor and outdoor settings. It has more than 50 booths. These booths sell European-style food, drinks, trinkets, and arts and crafts. They are housed in wooden huts and a heated festival tent.
Mountain States Christmas Markets
🎁 Denver Christkindlmarket – Denver, Colorado
Nestled against the Rocky Mountains, Denver’s Christkindlmarket offers a cozy alpine vibe. Authentic German vendors serve up schnitzel, pretzels, and hot spiced drinks, while local artisans sell handcrafted gifts. It’s the perfect blend of European tradition and Colorado charm.
Aspen Christmas Market, Aspen, CO
Known for its upscale festive atmosphere, with potential for snow and high-end crafts in the heart of the Rockies.
Southeast Christmas Markets
Savannah Christmas Market, Georgia
Savannah holds a European-style Christmas Market in the Plant Riverside District from November 20 to December 30, 2025. It kicks off with a tree-lighting ceremony. Attendees get the chance to take photos with Santa Claus. They can also eat festive foods and enjoy performances. The market is modeled after the one in Salzburg. It adds some of its own Southern flair. This creates a soul-warming marriage of European and American holiday traditions.
Greenville Christmas Market (SC)
The open-air market features local vendors, holiday food/beverages, live music, and photos with Santa.
Atlanta Christkindl Market – Atlanta, Georgia
This traditional Christmas market is hosted at The Buckhead Village District. It features authentic German food and beverages. You can find unique holiday gifts. There are also yuletide activities, including pictures with Santa. The Atlanta Christkindl Market offers two locations this year. They are Buckhead Village District and Galleria On The Park. Admission is free of charge. The Buckhead Village District Christkindl Market is open from November 28 through December 24. The Galleria On The Park location is open on select dates from November 28 through December 22.
West Coast Christmas Markets
🎶 Great Dickens Christmas Fair – San Francisco, California
For something truly unique, San Francisco’s Dickens Fair recreates Victorian London with costumed performers, carolers, and themed shops. It’s part market, part immersive theater, and a one-of-a-kind way to celebrate the season on the West Coast.
Cambria Christmas Market California
Modeled after German Weihnachtsmarkts, features over two million Christmas lights, locally made artisan gifts, German dinners, and visits from Santa
Solvang Julefest, California
Missing Tivoli Gardens this Christmas? Skip traveling to Copenhagen. Experience a Nordic Christmas at Solvang Julefest, the annual celebration in California’s Danish town. Lights and decorations only add to Solvang’s storybook atmosphere, and Julefest is the epicenter of the town’s holiday magic. Enjoy festive Danish treats. Try æbleskiver (small pancakes dipped in jam and sugar) and gløgg (the Scandinavian version of mulled wine). The event includes a tree lighting ceremony. It also features a parade and tours by candlelight. There are appearances from Santa and a community-wide scavenger hunt for hidden Christmas elves.
Leavenworth Christmastown, Leavenworth, WA
The Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth sits prettily in the snowbound Cascade Mountains. It really plays to its strengths during the holiday season. During this time, it becomes a veritable winter wonderland. One huge holiday market, Leavenworth’s Christmastown event (November 29 to December 24) brings a host of special events, pop-up stores, and the enchanting Village of Lights
Southwest Christmas Markets
Texas Christkindl Market (Arlington, TX)
A highly-rated German-style market with authentic food, crafts, entertainment, and German folk dancing, celebrating its sister-city relationship.
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
Austin’s Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is an iconic holiday tradition. It blends the city’s music and arts scene with the spirit of the season. This unique market features over 150 artists, musicians, and food vendors. It’s the perfect place to discover one-of-a-kind gifts while enjoying live music performances from local talent.
Prescott Christmas City
Prescott is known as “Arizona’s Christmas City.” This is an official title designated in 1989. The designation was due to its extensive and long-running festive celebrations. The city’s historic downtown and Courthouse Plaza are the center of the festivities. They are illuminated by thousands of lights from November through Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Tulsa Christkindlmarkt
This market features, German food (bratwurst, glühwein), crafts, and holiday cheer, usually the first weekend of December. Another is the OKM Christkindl Market in Bartlesville, offering European charm, pastries, Santa visits, and music. Both events provide unique shopping for handmade goods. They deliver authentic festive experiences. These events bring a taste of European holiday markets to Oklahoma.
New England Christmas Markets
Winter in Seaport, Boston, MA
Boston positively glows in the holiday season. Its annual Snowport, also known as Winter in Seaport, is a seasonal highlight on what is an action-packed calendar. Snowport’s Holiday Market is on from November 8 until December 29 this year. In between browsing stalls for gift inspiration, you can keep the kids engaged with holiday craft activities. There are also delicious things to eat and drink.
CraftBoston Holiday Show
Fans of unique arts and crafts will want to visit CraftBoston Holiday Show). It’s an indoor holiday market in the Back Bay neighborhood that features more than 175 exhibitors, many selling one-of-a-kind wares.
🎁 Final Thoughts
You might be sipping hot cocoa in Chicago. Perhaps you are browsing artisan crafts in New York. Or maybe you are stepping into a Dickensian world in San Francisco. No matter where you are, America’s Christmas markets offer unforgettable holiday experiences. Each one blends festive shopping with cultural traditions, making them perfect destinations for creating cherished seasonal memories.
