The Top 10 Best Christmas Markets in the US

Christmas is so close you can start to feel it. For a cozy, classic way to get in the Christmas spirit, visit one of the top Christmas markets in the US. Get that European feel without a passport!

Imagine twinkling lights, a deep inhale scent of spiced wine, and cute little vendors selling the just-right gift. You can feel the magic all around the US. Markets are great for the whole family, often accompanied with a jolly guest, carolers, lights, and sometimes even a carousel.

What use to be sought after mainly in Europe has now made its way to the US, with Christmas markets growing in popularity each year. From Christkindlmarkets to Victorian-era inspired markets, you can feel the joy and magic near you.

I’ve researched and compiled a list of the most sought-after, inspiring, and just the plain out BEST Christmas markets in the US. Whether you are traveling before the holiday or already have plans, make your way to one of these markets closest to you for an extra punch of joy this season.

1. Chicago Christkindlmarket

Daley Plaza, 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602

I grew up in Chicago and went downtown every year at Christmas. I’ve visited a few times since leaving, usually at Christmas. I can assure you, this city is truly magical around the holidays!

Part of its magic comes when the Christkindlmarket opens, as it’s often known as the most authentic Christkindlemarket in the US.

Part of its charm is not just the cozy shops set up, but the enormous amount of live entertainment. The schedule includes ballet, live brass instrument performances, a capella groups, and behind-the-scenes tours of the making and history of the Christkindlmarket. The Christkind will also make a few visits.

Dates: November 21-December 24
Times: 11am-8pm Sunday-Thursday, 11am-9pm Friday-Saturday
Closes at 4pm Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve

Vendors:
Käthe Wohlfahrt of America– a world-famous Christmas store from Rothenburg, Germany.
Bethlehem Nativity Products– hand crafted nativities and ornaments made from the wood of olive trees from the holy land. (No trees are cut down for this)
Gift and Candle Palace– popular German buildings/churches made from ceramics; candles; paper stars, and more
Syrin– handmade slavic gifts created by Ukrainian artists

and 50+ more food and gift vendors!

🏠 Where to Stay: Located on The Loop, The Stay Pineapple is a boutique hotel and it’s the closest hotel to the market.

Wrigleyville Market- (Bonus Chicago Market)

The Wrigleyville Market runs November 23-December 31. I’m mentioning it here because though it has around 30 vendors, it’s a little more exciting as a family option.

The Wrigleyville Market has an ice rink as the center of the market, plus Santa’s workshop. You can find it at 3635 N Clarke Street in Chicago.

2. Union Square Holiday Market, New York City

Union Square Park

While Chicago may be the most authentic, the Union Square market is often called the best holiday market in the US (at least in 2023 it was named so by Planet Cruise!)

You can expect almost 200 vendors at this popular market, made up from local artists and entrepreneurs. They also have live performances like caroling or live bands. In the past, Kids have loved getting to visit Santa’s workshop and passing off their wish list.

Food is a unique experience here, too. From crispy chicken skewers with unique flavors to Gnocchi and burrata, every palate will appreciate.

Dates: November 13-December 24
Times: Monday-Friday 11am-9pm, Saturday 10am-9pm, Sundays 11am-7pm

Vendors:
Coco Bred– A food vendor selling Jamaican Coco Bred sandwiches
RubyZaar– A fair-trade company selling beautiful scarves and shawls
Awita New York– an art gallery supporting artists from all stages of their art
Wicked Heathens- A company making custom crystal jewelry
Copa Soaps- beautifully hand made soaps
As well as lots of Christmas ornaments, unique shaped/character string lights, beads, jewelry, unique art, and so much more.

🏠Where to Stay: Sleep in Luxury at the W New York right at Union Square, or stay somewhere a few blocks away but lighter on the wallet at the Hilton.

📸Photo courtesy of DiscoverLehighValley.com

3. Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, PA

PNC Plaza SteelStacks at 645 E. First St., Bethlehem, PA

What more appropriate place to celebrate Christmas than Bethlehem!? Pennsylvania, that is.

Set in “Christmas City,” the Bethlehem Christkindlmarkt is one of the largest and most attended markets in the US. Be prepared to go cashless, and to pay an admission fee or get tickets ahead of time.

Kids will love various events, like breakfast with Santa or an ornament making workshop. The market is plenty festive with giant decorations, photo opportunities, and photos with Santa on select days. There will be live performances, glassblowing demonstrations, a Crayola Creativity Station, and ice sculptors showing their skills. Families can warm up by fire pits and enjoy plenty of food options.

Dates: November 14-December 21
Times: Thursday/Sunday 10am-6pm, Friday/Saturday 10am-8pm

Vendors:
You can expect vendors with jewelry, plants, ornaments, German holiday items, unique art items, photography, and plenty of bath/body items. You’ll also see authentic German items like Käthe Wohlfahrt ornaments.

🏠 Where to Stay: Sleep just a few miles away at the Fairfield

4. Carmel Christkindlmarkt, Carmel Indiana

10 Carter Green, Carmel IN

I consider this one of the best Christmas markets in the US for families. There’s a lot going on here!

Carmel, Indiana hosts one of the most authentic markets in the nation, importing many items and making the cozy, Christkindlmarkt feel that you get in Europe. Nearly a half-million visitors enjoyed the market in 2024.

It’s one of the best Christmas markets in the US thanks to myriad activities that accompany your shopping experience.

Enjoy time on the ice with the skating rink, kids can head to the kid’s corner for crafts, the playhouse has kid-friendly entertainment, enjoy live performances and music, watch German artists live at work, and more. The Carmel Christkindlmarkt truly is German-everything, giving you and escape to Europe without needing a passport.

Dates: November 22-December 24
Times: Wednesday/Thursday 4pm-9pm, Friday/Saturday 12pm-9pm, Sunday 12pm-8pm

Vendors:
Enjoy mulled wine, authentic paper star lanterns, handmade glass ornaments, German nutcrackers, cuckoo clocks, hand-painted German pewter ornaments, hand painted eggs and decor, and plenty of German bakeries and food vendors.

🏠 Where to Stay: Just a few minutes away is the highly rated Home2 Suites with an indoor pool and can sleep up to 6 with a sofa

5. Denver Christkindlmarket, Denver Colorado

Auraria Campus,  Tivoli Quad 1000 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80204

One of the best holiday festivities around Colorado is attending the Christkindlmarket. This festive celebration brings in vendors, food, holiday decor, and activities.

The 25th anniversary this year brings new attractions not seen before. Enjoy a glass ornament workshop, where you’ll be guided through making your own ornament. Kids will love the addition of a 42-foot carousel with hand-carved horses.

The market has ongoing events, like visits from St. Nick, a magician, marching bands, a Capella groups, accordions, storytimes, and more for the whole family to enjoy.

The Mile High Tree also typically follows the market, giving you a fun and unique tree to enjoy when it’s dark.

Dates: November 21 – December 23
Times:

Vendors:
There are both traditional gifts and authentic German gifts to explore at the Denver Christkindlmarket. Take your sweet treat up a notch with chocolate carved into unique designs, traditional handmade European trinkets and decorations, ornaments made in Haselbach, Germany; sustainably sourced fashion accessories, mosaic items from Turkey, puzzles, toys, and much more.

Come hungry and have a traditional feast of sausage, pierogies, and latkes.

🏠Where to Stay: The exceptional Grand Hyatt is close-by and offers beautiful rooms with an indoor pool and rooftop terrace

6. Christmas Village, Philadelphia PA

Love Park, 1500 Arch St. Philadelphia

Head to Love Park and City Hall for Christmas Village, an authentic German market in the open-air.

Kids will watch for visits from the Christkind, the beautiful double-decker carousel, enjoy storytimes, walk through the giant present lit-up, and stop by the festival of trees with each uniquely decorated (free, but donations accepted for the children’s hospital) where kids can take pictures with Santa on the weekends.

They can also enjoy the nearby ferris wheel and Christmas train.

When everyone is worn out, refuel with European fare like bratwursts and strudel.

Dates: November 22-December 24
Times: Sunday-Thursday 12-8pm, Fri/Sat 12-9pm

Vendors:
Enjoy a world of vendors at Christmas Village. Artists from around the world sell their special items. You’ll find handmade gifts from Marrakesh, Ornaments and items from Ukraine, Scandinavian jewelry, jewelry from Nepal, and Käthe Wohlfahrt ornaments.

🏠 Where to Stay: The beautiful Bellevue Hotel is less than a mile from Love Park.

7. Old World Christmas Market, Elkhart Lake WI

Osthoff Resort, 101 Osthoff Ave, Elkhart Lake WI

Elkhart Lake may not be a main hub like Chicago and New York, but this town draws in almost 20,000 people each year for the market. In fact, the Old World Christmas Market was voted #1 Best Holiday Market in USA Today in 2024.

What makes it even better? No need to fear midwest weather and cold. This market is held in a giant, heated indoor tent. Enjoy this winter wonderland without freezing your toes off!

The market takes you back centuries ago to Nüremburg Germany. Walk through evergreen boughs and the smell of festive treats.

It’s a great place for families as kids will enjoy cookie decorating, ornament making, breakfast with Santa, visiting the reindeer, and horse-drawn rides.

Dates: December 5-14
Times: 10am-5pm

Vendors:
Expect great finds from items all around the world, like authentic German nutcrackers. With nearly 100 vendors, you can find jewelry, clothing, and many Christmas decor items as well.

🏠 Stay right there at the beautiful Osthoff Resort!

8. Texas Christkindl Market, Arlington TX

Globe Life Field, 1650 E Randol Mill Road, Arlington, TX

Arlington has some serious credit for hosting the Texas Christkindl Market since their sister-city for the past 70+ years has been Bad Königshofen, located in central Germany. This relationship is what led to Arlington’s first Christkindlmarket in 2011.

The market brings in many local live performers like children’s choirs, ballet schools, vocalist, strings music, a local German band, and even a performance by the Swiss Longhorns, a quartet who plays the 12-foot alphorn.

Santa will be available for the kids to visit most (but not all) days of the market, and there are also visits from the Christkind.

Dates: November 28- December 23
Times: 11am-8pm

Vendors:
Shoppers will find crystal ornaments, pet gifts, alpaca apparel and accessories, and chocolates. Kathe Wohlfahrt of America is a featured vendor selling authentic German Christmas decor. Also featured is artist Daryoush Ababaf, a Persian artist with German artistry in his bloodline.

🏠 Where to Stay: The Marriott- Courtyard is less than a mile from the market, with an indoor and outdoor pool and space for up to 5 in a room!

9. Christmas Village, Baltimore MD

West Shore Park, Inner Harbor 501 Light St, Baltimore

Christmas Village in Baltimore has got itself named as one of the coolest Christmas markets in the US after just over a decade of opening! Their inspiration comes from the 16th century and Nuremberg’s markets in Germany.

You’ll get taken across the ocean with the Glühwein Pyramid serving up mulled wine (it looks like the thing with the wooden fan blades at the top that always falls apart at home. Don’t worry, these ones are much bigger and stay on).

Kids will love getting to ride on the carousel and ferris wheel. Families can shop outdoors or warm up indoors in the heated tents (admission fee indoors) with more vendors.

They’ll also love visits with Santa, seeing the festival of trees (consider donating for the children’s hospital here), and visits from the Christkind and St. Nick. Scheduled events include visits from princesses, balloon animals, and face painting.

Dates: November 22 – December 24
Times: Sun-Thurs 12-8pm, Fri-Sat 12-9pm, Closes 5pm on Christmas Eve, Open Dec 22/23

Vendors:
You’ll find all the sought-after handmade gifts here. Shop for pressed flower art, jewelry and accessories, the famous Käthe Wohlfahrt ornaments and decorations, handblown glass designs, and gifts from Ukraine, Scandinavia, and other places around the world.

🏠 Where to Stay: The Royal Sonesta is close to the market and gives families an indoor pool and the ability to sleep up to 4 in a room (connecting rooms available).

10. Georgetown Market, Georgetown CO

6th Street, Georgetown, CO

This is definitely the most charming Christmas market in the US. You’ll be up in the mountains in a little town, though it’s actually pretty easy to get to from Denver.

The Georgetown Christmas market is a fabulous victorian-inspired market that runs for just two weekends in December. They schedule live performances, victorian carolers, and visits from Santa for entertainment. Visitors can also enjoy horse-drawn rides.

They also hold local museum tours to learn about this lesser-known area.

Kids will love the horses, live music, and the Santa Lucia Children’s procession everyday at noon. Clear Creek Inn will host face painting, gingerbread cookie decorating, and crafts.

Georgetown is located about an hour from Denver up I-70 towards the mountains. It’s a smaller, charming town full of history.

The cozy feel here even got it listed as one of the top 10 Christmas markets by USA Today.

Dates: First two Saturday/Sundays of December
Times: 10am-5pm

Vendors:
Shop for ornaments, decorations, Victorian decor, art, books, jewelry, antiques, apparel, and plenty of food!

🏠Where to Stay: The Clear Creek Inn is a central location in this small mountain town. It makes it the perfect place to stay, which books up quickly. If Georgetown is booked, consider its neighbor Idaho Springs just down I-70.

Tips for Visiting the Christmas Markets

Check the Weather Ahead of Time. Even if the event is indoors, the travel to get there can put a hold on things. We recently tried to go to the Georgetown market, but incoming snow caused major backups and even closures on the interstate. Luckily we checked ahead and waited for another day.

Plus, you’ll want to layer up and dress appropriately for the cold (or warmth) even if you can get there just fine!

Check what kinds of payments are accepted. To be safe, be ready with both cash and card. Some vendors prefer cash, while some markets are completely cashless!

Avoid the Crowds. If the market is open on a weekday, that is going to be your best bet to get through smoothly!

We first went to the Denver Christkindlmarket on a weekday. It was awesome and we were able to walk everywhere!

The next year we went on a Saturday and could hardly get from one booth to the next (making it even more difficult with kids).

Best Christmas Markets in the US: Wrap up

Those are some of the best, highly-rated Christmas markets in the US. Get a taste of Europe at these markets with authentic creations from around the globe. Visiting the markets provide your family a nice little get-away or day trip, while creating memories and new traditions.

The great thing is that these are great, family-friendly Christmas markets the kids will love! From visits to Santa and Ferris Wheels to ice skating and crafts, visiting each market is a whole family experience.