12 of the Merriest Christmas Markets in the United States
When you hear the words Christmas market, do visions of quaint wooden stalls overflowing with decorations, gifts, food, and warm drinks in an ancient European city square dance in your head? That seems appropriate since the beloved holiday tradition began in medieval Germany and about 3,000 markets pop up in that country alone every year.
It’s tempting to think an authentic cultural experience could only be enjoyed at one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, but thanks to our increasingly global society and immigrants keeping beloved traditions alive, you shouldn’t have to travel too far to find a Christmas market near you. From bustling metropolises like New York and Chicago to charming villages like Vail, Colorado, and Solvang, California, you can visit these fairs, each boasting a unique ambience. However, certain elements are universal.
International and local artisans sell their handmade goods and sometimes demonstrate their craft on-site. Discover candle arches, Moravian stars, nutcrackers, Nativity scenes, textiles, cuckoo clocks, jewelry, and toys to keep or give this holiday season. Since most markets are outdoors, mugs of something hot are a must. Grab a coffee, cocoa, or cider, or try glühwein (mulled wine) for a taste of the Old World. Ice skating, amusement park rides, movies, and light displays entertain little ones, and live music and tasting events make for great date nights.
Keep in mind that while the market might be admission free, there could be a charge to participate in some activities. And if all the shopping and playing make you hungry, you can nosh on classic German fare (think roasted nuts, pretzels, bratwurst, schnitzel, strudel, stollen, etc.), Greek food, fish and chips, or even pasta, depending on your locale.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the best Christmas markets in the United States. These winter wonderlands are sure to get you in the spirit of the season:
Christkindlmarket in Chicago
Based on the one in Nuremberg, Germany, which dates to at least 1628, the Windy City’s Christmas market is one of the oldest and largest in the U.S. Launched in 1996, the holiday event in Daley Plaza attracts about one million visitors annually and has spawned satellite locations in Aurora and Wrigleyville.
Don’t miss the Lantern Parade. Pick up a lantern and a goody bag, and stroll through the market while singing carols with the Christkind, the fairylike bearer of gifts to children in German-speaking countries and the market’s namesake.
Downtown Holiday Market in Washington
Local flavor infuses every aspect of this outdoor shopping village that takes over two blocks of the nation’s capital for 30 days each year. Where else could you view eclectic handcrafted gifts with the National Portrait Gallery as a backdrop?
Supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs from across the region is at the heart of this market operated by the Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District and Diverse Markets Management. Some of the area’s best blues, rock, jazz, soul, and country artists perform live nightly. Much as the city the food offerings represent a range of cultures and regions with everything from empanadas to barbecue.
Christmas Village in Philadelphia
Love Park and city hall play host to Philly’s annual German-inspired market. While you’ll find plenty to buy, eat, and drink, what sets this event apart is the activities. Ride a horse, carriage, or reindeer on the double-decker carousel, or take a spin on the 65-foot-tall Ferris wheel for a bird’s-eye view of all the festivities. The kid’s train is reserved for the youngest visitors. Adults can partake in the wine and spirit tasting events in the beer garden areas with VIP options to choose from.
Winter Village at Bryant Park in New York
Located along the park’s allées, plazas, and terraces, the holiday shops of this large European-style market are housed in custom-designed “jewel box” kiosks. The village’s centerpiece is a 17,000-square-foot ice rink open daily for free skating. Just steps from the rink, you can cozy up with festive cocktails and food in a private igloo surrounded by Midtown skyscrapers for the ultimate NYC winter experience.
Carmel Christkindlmarkt in Carmel, Indiana
See you at the pyramid! This open-air market between The Palladium and The Tarkington theater was the first in the country to introduce the German tradition of the glühwein pyramid. The 33-foot lighted tower serves as a central meeting point overlooking the ice rink and a sales stand for an extensive selection of mulled wines ranging from the traditional red to blueberry, elderflower, and baked apple, along with beer and nonalcoholic beverages. Get a collectible mug or bier stein while supplies last.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco
You are invited to a Victorian holiday party spanning five weekends at the Cow Palace exhibition halls. This one-of-a-kind immersive adventure into 19th-century London involves hundreds of costumed players performing and interacting with patrons in music halls, pubs, dance parties, and shops. You just might run into Charles Dickens on the street, as well as Ebenezer Scrooge, Oliver Twist, or even Father Christmas. And don’t forget to make reservations for high tea.
Nutcracker Market in Houston
If attending the iconic Christmastime ballet is one of your family’s favorite traditions, consider visiting this four-day shopping extravaganza inside NRG Center in November. Proceeds from ticket sales—plus 11 percent of all merchandise purchased from hundreds of national and international booths—benefit the Houston Ballet, its academy, and scholarship programs.
Want exclusive access to the market? Become a Sugar Plum and get two tickets to each special event: a preview party and two fashion shows and luncheons.
Kerstmarkt in Holland, Michigan
This city of 34,000 celebrates its Dutch heritage throughout the year and was looking for a way to attract visitors during winter. Enter Kerstmarkt (“Christmas market” in Dutch) in 1997. Beginning the Saturday before Thanksgiving, about 20 wooden booths with holiday items, food, and artisan demonstrations are set up at the 8th Street Marketplace in front of the civic center.
On Saturdays, the weekend event shares space with the farmers’ market. Special events are held every year, including live music and the Sinterklaas (aka Santa Claus) processional.
Holly Jolly Jekyll in Jekyll Island, Georgia
Come December Spanish moss isn’t the only thing covering the live oaks of this historic island resort. More than one million lights blanket the island, and the best way to see them is to hop aboard a trolley.
As if that weren’t enough of a display, you can also catch two nights of fireworks. Plan a family trip to Peppermint Land for a round of minigolf surrounded by life-size gumdrops and gingerbread characters or the drive-in for a special presentation of Mickey’s Christmas Carol.
Solvang Julefest in Solvang, California
Pronounced “Yule-Fest,” this monthlong Danish village holiday celebration unfolds in what is known as one of America’s most Christmassy towns. Family fun and adventure is balanced with wine country entertainment.
Join in the scavenger hunt for the mysterious Solvang nisses (Christmas elves) hidden throughout downtown. Explore the history-filled hamlet on foot on a Saturday evening with a candlelight tour.
Scandinavian Christmas Fair in Raleigh, North Carolina
A one-day event at the state fairgrounds highlights the traditions of Scandinavia, which is composed of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. The Saint Lucia procession features young girls dressed in white with lighted wreaths on their heads and boys dressed in white pajama-like costumes singing traditional songs to celebrate the season of light.
The stage always has something going on with folk dances and music and a fashion show with national costumes. Sample the glogg (hot spiced wine and liquor punch), pea soup, salmon, and salty candy. And if the sleek but cozy Scandi aesthetic is your thing, check out the crafts and gifts from across the Nordic countries.
Kris Kringle Market in Vail, Colorado
Any town designed to mimic the atmosphere, architecture, and cuisine of a Bavarian village must have a German-style Christmas market, right? The weekend after Thanksgiving, small white tents line downtown Vail’s brick streets and hundreds of tiny lights festoon the snow-covered firs. Browse the Colorado-made gifts before hitting the nearby slopes.
You Might Also Like
