Across the country, communities in small country towns and cities alike are rigging thousands of twinkling lights, constructing wooden chalet stalls, and readying festive crafts and produce for this year’s Christmas markets.
Visiting a Christmas market is an age-old tradition marking the beginning of the festive season. It’s a chance to spend quality time with family, friends, and neighbors while having the first of many cups of mulled wine and hot chocolate (and shop for ornaments and novel gifts, of course). Depending on the market, there can be seasonal food trucks, fairground rides, music events, parades, ice rinks, and Santa Clauses — everything you need to get into the mood for Christmas.
Perhaps your hometown is on this list. If not, these winter wonderlands are all worth a trip. From German-inspired Christkindlmarkets with all the bells and whistles to smaller local volunteer-built festivals, these are some of the best pop-up Christmas markets in the United States.
Denver’s Civic Center Park is a draw in itself with a grand flower-filled lawn, a Greek Amphitheater, and views of the state capitol. The massive outdoor space turns into the Denver Christkindlmarket just before Thanksgiving week. Inspired by German holiday markets, there are gift sellers, food vendors, firepits to keep warm, and music and other entertainment — including in a large, tented, German-style festival hall.
More than 40 vendors set up at the market, selling local Denver and Colorado goods as well as international selections. There are big items for under the tree and stocking stuffers alike. Expect wooden huts housing Mayan art purveyors, traditional German gifts, local honey and hot sauce, travel posters, and alpaca winterwear.
More than a shopping destination, it’s a place to gather for the whole family — the Kinder Wunderland has s’mores and yard games that will keep little ones entertained for hours. Keep an eye out for St. Nikolaus and Christkind walking around for photos and seasons greetings (as well as Krampus). The massive lights in the shape of a pine tree is the perfect photo spot in front of the capitol building. The list of German and Eastern European food available covers the gambit from döner from Berliner Döner Haus to brats, knödel (German dumplings), schnitzel, and hot soups. S’mores and a litany of sweets make the list as well, including carved chocolate creations from Chocoidea. Beer flows as freely as the hot glühwein in the festival tent.
Dates: November 22 through December 23
Opening times: Sunday through Wednesday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Thursday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM (festival hall closes 10:00 PM)
Where: Civic Center Park 101 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
California’s central coast may have more palm trees than snow and cold weather, but that doesn’t mean the holiday spirit is any lesser here. That’s especially the case in Solvang, the state’s “Little Denmark” in wine country just a 45-minute drive from Santa Barbara and a couple of hours north of Los Angeles.
The town converts to Julefest just after Thanksgiving and stays that way until the first week of January. Lights, events, music, food and drink, and more make the little shops on Solvang’s main streets (a draw year-round) the center of all things festive. Don’t miss the tree lighting ceremony on December 6, complete with ballerinas and caroling, and the Julefest Parade the following day, where more than 400 participants march their floats, bands, and horses down the main streets.
In addition to the Solvang storefronts selling gift-ready items from Denmark and beyond, there’s an outdoor Maker’s Market on select Wednesdays in December featuring goods from local artisans.
The Solvang Nisser (“gnome” in Danish) hides around downtown ready to be found by searchers. Every evening, Solvang Park has a 10-minute light show at the top of every hour from 5 to 9 PM. You won’t have any trouble finding Danish pastries and treats, though daytime tours led by a local Dane in traditional folk dress can highlight some of the tastiest. Or skip the walking and enjoy the lights of the Santa Ynez Valley on the Trolley Christmas Light Tour with hot chocolate in hand. Adults should add a wine tasting to their visit for a shopping break — it may not be strictly “holiday” themed, but wine is always a great gift, and this part of the state makes some of the best pinot noir and chardonnay around.
Though Julefest ends on January 5, the real conclusion ends on January 10 with the Solvang Christmas Tree Burn: a massive fire safety demonstration by the county fire department where discarded trees are set ablaze.
Dates: November 29 through January 5, 2025
Opening times: Stores open every day, with events running until about 9:00 PM on select days
During springtime, tulip festivals, and windmill gardens attract tourists to this part of Michigan. But during the holiday season, the city hosts a Dutch Christmas market that brings the Kerstmarkt tradition to life in this very cutesy, award-winning downtown, making it a destination well worth revisiting in the colder months. Thanks to the largest municipally-run snowmelt system in North America, the streets and sidewalks are completely snow-free, making it easy to explore on foot or by car.
Beginning November 23, grab some glühwein in this year’s collectible Kerstmarkt mug and explore the festive booths filled with local artisans’ creations and handmade trinkets. Take your time browsing the 19 booths, where local vendors rotate each weekend, offering a fresh experience with every visit and a chance to support multiple small businesses. Stock up on holiday gifts, from handmade soaps to handcrafted wooden birdhouses and locally sourced wool mittens. After working up an appetite from all that shopping, indulge in homemade European-inspired holiday fare like saucijzebroodjes (Dutch pigs in a blanket) and sourdough stroopwafels, then create your own steaming mug of hot chocolate at the hot chocolate bar.
Different weekends offer unique opportunities, including photos with Santa, the Parade of Lights, storytime at the library, handbell concerts, Dickens carolers, and dog sledding demos — each scheduled on select dates and times, so be sure to check the events calendar before you go. And just a five-minute drive away, you can see Holland’s DeZwaan windmill illuminated by hundreds of twinkling lights and thousands of LED tulips.
Dates: November 23 through December 21
Opening times: Fridays from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM (11:00 AM to 8:00 PM November 29), Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Where: Civic Center Market Place, 150 W 8th Street, Holland, MI
Carmel’s Christkindlmarkt is one of the largest in the country, with more than 60 stalls selling everything from intricately carved wooden toys and hand-blown glass ornaments to cozy knitwear and festive wreaths, and food vendors with rounds of melting raclette cheese, German bakery treats, waffles, and sausages.
The German-inspired booths surround the ice rink and the Glühwein Pyramid, a towering structure adorned with thousands of lights and weighing 10 tons. The tower offers a variety of warm beverages, from mulled wine (including cherry, baked apple, and elderflower flavors) to beer (from German ales to the non-alcoholic Santa Clausthaler) and children’s punch. You can also purchase a memorable seasonal mug for a nice keep-sake.
The outdoor ice skating rink, Ice at Carter Green, opens on November 23 and closes on February 2, 2025. You can bring your own skates or rent them on-site and glide through the winter wonderland. Skate sessions last 75 to 90 minutes and can be reserved online.
Time your visit with one of the many events. From performances by choirs of all ages to the traditional German Sankt Martinstag lantern festival to a visit from Sankt Nikolaus on December 6, the calendar for is jammed-packed with seasonal activities.
Dates: November 23 through December 24
Opening times: Wednesday to Thursday from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Friday to Sunday from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM (8:00 PM on Sundays)
Where: 10 Carter Green, Carmel, IN
Village of Lights, Christmastown in Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth tops the list of adorable US towns to visit year-round with its Bavarian village charm. The streets are lined with traditional German Fachwerkhaus architecture, surrounded by the Cascade Mountains. But come mid-November, the town is transformed by over half a million lights, decking it out in dazzling holiday cheer and making it an ideal holiday destination. Starting November 29, Christmas events begin, turning the entire town into a Christmas market, with the main town center, Festhalle, as the epicenter of activities. Glaze upon the Gingerbread House Exhibition, make snowman-themed crafts, or write letters to Santa with your kids, all while carolers saunter through the streets. Then sip on hot cocoa as you browse the local shops for hand-made gifts from local artisans. During the Village of Lights, shops and restaurants stay open later, giving you a chance to thaw out in between enjoying the festivities.
Jingle all the way to get your photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus alongside his merry elves. Rudolph even makes an appearance, and you can also visit the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm, just a mile from the town center, for a hands-on educational experience where you can feed and interact with the reindeer. At night, check the event calendar for holiday concerts featuring your favorite nostalgic tunes. Grab a bite and a pint at the München Haus Bavarian Grill & Beer Garden, where you can savor traditional bratwursts (including vegan and vegetarian options) paired with a choice of 14 different mustards. For something sweet afterward, pick up some traditional lebkuchen (gingerbread) hearts from the Gingerbread Factory — which also make fantastic gifts. Or you can try the German Chocolate Cake Ale from the local Icicle Brewing Company.
Although the events and festivities end on December 24, the lights stay up through the end of February. This charming town makes for a festive and cheerful winter getaway regardless of when you visit. Don’t just take our word for it — you can view the live webcam of the town square on their website.
Dates: November 29 through December 24
Opening times: Lights are turned on every day from 6:00 AM until 11:00 PM. Check the event calendar for specific times of activities.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair in Daly City, isn’t your average German-inspired Christmas market. Instead of browsing wooden stalls selling knitted scarves and mulled wine, visitors are treated to a more theatrical and historical experience spread across four acres. The large US Christmas market is based on Victorian London, which captures the spirit of Charles Dickens’s time. Visitors stroll through a maze of narrow, cobblestone-like streets, surrounded by actors in period costumes fully dedicated to their characters, bringing to life classic Dickensian scenes. It’s not just a Christmas market but also a journey through a recreated 19th-century London, complete with pubs, dance halls, and more than 100 stands and stalls selling handmade crafts and Victorian-inspired gifts.
Each day of the market has a packed schedule of performances, caroling, and guest appearances, from late-night stage revues to family-friendly activities like a children’s tour of “London.” Experiences available also include Champagne and chocolate tastings, rides on historic steam trains, corset fittings, and character meet-and-greets, among other period-specific offerings. General admission and specialty tickets can be purchased in advance online and start at $30 for adults and $25 for children.
Dates: November 23 through December 22
Opening times: Saturdays and Sundays (and Friday Nov 29) from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Where: Cow Palace Arena, 2600 Geneva Ave, Daly City, CA
The Baltimore Christmas Village is a chance to experience similar magic and charms of a Bavarian Christmas market, but with the convenience of not having to leave the US. The market has many hallmarks of a Christkindlmarkt, including twinkling lights, wooden vendor stalls, and no shortage of mugs of mulled wine and roasted nuts.
Food is a big focus, with opportunities to try quintessential German market food, including bratwurst, pretzels, and schnitzel, along with sweets like lebkuchen and stollen. However, because this market is in Maryland, you’ll find Maryland favorites like boardwalk fries and corn on the cob — both covered in Old Bay spice, of course.
The focal point of the market is “The Pyramid,” a light-covered wooden tower from Germany that doubles as a glühwine stand, selling hot drinks straight from Nuremberg. Aside from drinking and shopping, other draws of this US Christmas market include a classic Christmas carousel, wine tastings, and (of course), a chance to take photos with St. Nicholas. The festival is free to attend, though there’s a small fee to access the heated mulled wine tent.
Dates: November 23 through December 24
Opening times: Thursday to Sunday from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Saturdays and Sundays 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Where: West Shore Park, 401 Light St, Baltimore, MD
Old World Christmas Market in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Every year since 1998, the small village of Elkhart Lake brings the magic of Nüremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt to the state of Wisconsin with its Old World Christmas Market. The annual event takes place under an immense heated tent at The Osthoff Resort, a four-star, amenities-filled property located on the shore of Elkhart Lake itself.
The Old World Christmas Market knows what holiday-crazed people want and executes accordingly. Expect an awful lot of delicious German holiday food and drinks like hot glühwein, apple strudel, sauerbraten, potato pancakes, and dumplings, among others. Of course, you’ll also find an abundance of artisan-made objects and treats to put under the tree come December 25, such as stained-glass art pieces, woodwork, amber and silver jewelry, fine clothing, chocolates, and much more.
Beyond browsing the vendors’ stalls, you’ll be able to take a horse-drawn carriage ride, partake in an ornament-making workshop, and even have breakfast with Santa or brunch with St. Nick and one of his very real reindeers — just make sure you book in advance online. Admission to the Old World Christmas Market is $7 for anyone 15 and older, while children 14 and under are free if accompanied by an adult.
Since its inception in 1996, the annual Christkindlmarket is one of the biggest and most beloved events of the year in Chicago — its incredible success has even led to the organization of two more Christmas markets in Wrigleyville, Illinois, and Aurora, Wisconsin.
Inspired by the Nüremberg’s centuries-old Christkindlesmarkt, Chicago’s Christkindlmarket is as traditional as it gets: Vendors and artisans are tucked inside wooden chalets decked out in twinkle lights, fir branches, and red-and-white awnings. Stop at every one of those chalets to enjoy glühwein, beer, butterbeer, and hot chocolate served in traditional mugs and steins, as well as Dutch stroopwafels, German pretzels, Belgian fries, Hungarian fried bread, and hot Austrian strudel, among many other food offerings. The local and international artisans sell a huge variety of wares, including jewelry, chocolate, soap, ornaments, and woolen items.
Before or after you spend your money on hot and delicious holiday food and gifts for your loved ones, look for Christkind, the female equivalent of Santa in German-speaking countries, take a ride in the Ferris wheel, and partake in some of the special events on the schedule, including German and Austrian wine tasting.
Dates: November 22 through December 24
Opening times: Thursdays and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Fridays and Saturdays 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Where: Daley Plaza, 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL
New York City is famous for its all-in holiday atmosphere and shopping. It is the capital of capitalism, after all, and that especially rings through the capitalism-infused holiday spirit of gifting and dining. Since the first Bryant Park Winter Village in 2002, the Midtown park has been an oasis of all things Christmas season. This year, the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park won’t disappoint. The transformation runs from October 25 through March 2, and the holiday festivities go until January 5.
It’s all centered around a 17,000-square-foot ice skating rink with free admission if you bring your own skates (and a moderate fee for rentals) that runs through the entire Winter Village season — just know that it gets busy on weekends and closer to the holidays. Surrounding the rink and filling the rest of the park are shops, restaurants, bars, a curling lane, and igloos that can be rented for 90 minutes. The European-inspired, open-air market turns the park into mini streets of alleys, leading to more than 170 artisan shops from New York and the world housed in custom-designed “jewel box” kiosks.
Once you’ve had your fill of the shops and need a break from the rink, there’s no shortage of places for refreshments. At The Lodge, you can watch skaters with food and the seasonal drinks (think a winter spiced negroni and maple bourbon old fashioned) at the full-service Alcove Bar inside. Other options include Cafe ‘cito (a sandwich, churro, coffee, and chocolate shop), S’mores N’more, and the sundae spot Sweet Tooth.
Dates: October 25 throughJanuary 5, 2025
Opening times: Monday through Friday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Where: Bryant Park, between 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues
Founded in 2011, the Texas Christkindlmarkt commemorates Arlington’s almost 70-year relationship with its sister city in Germany, Bad Königshofen. Also working closely with its partner Christmas city, Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria, the market brings the magic and spirit of European Christmas celebrations to the Lone Star State.
At this family-friendly market, you can indulge in traditional German specialties like bratwurst, sauerkraut, and pretzels, all freshly cooked and served with a hearty helping of Texan holiday spirit. And you can sip mulled wine, hot cocoa, and other festive beverages while strolling through the market to warm up on chilly evenings.
It’s perhaps unsurprising that there are multiple live music performances throughout December, too. Music fills the market, from country Christmas to traditional German folk songs. If you’re traveling with kids, they can visit Santa Claus from November 22 to December 23.
Dates: November 22 through 24, November 28 through December 23
Known as “Montana’s Christmas Village,” Bigfork offers a magical holiday experience straight out of a Hallmark movie. The tradition began in 1981 when three friends decided to bring more holiday spirit to their community. Their modest efforts that first year have evolved into a town-wide celebration that now attracts visitors from far and wide.
On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Bigfork comes alive with the sounds of Christmas carols and the sight of thousands of twinkling lights. The day starts early, with volunteers of all ages (known as “Bigfork elves”) gathering to decorate the town with over 10,000 feet of garland and lights. At 4:00 PM, the Holiday Art Walk begins, inviting visitors to stroll through town and explore the shops, galleries, and boutiques where you can find locally made gifts, enjoy delicious food and wine, and experience the vibrant arts scene that Bigfork is renowned for.
The day culminates with the tree-lighting ceremony at 7:00 PM. Families and friends gather around the giant Christmas tree in front of Bjorge’s Gallery to sing carols and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Children of all ages are invited to participate in a reading of The Night Before Christmas.
