One of the best holiday traditions is festive Christmas markets. While Europe has a longer-standing tradition, these festive markets have become popular in the U.S. thanks to their Instagram-worthiness, spiced wine galore, and selection of handcrafted toys and ornaments.
Christmas markets usher in the warm and fuzzy glow of the holiday season and are a great way to support local artisans and connect with the community. They’re also a great way to catch up on last-minute holiday shopping that adds more thought and creativity than an Amazon gift card.
From Chicago to Pittsburgh to New York City, these 10 Christmas markets in the U.S. closely replicate the real thing in case you can’t make it to Europe this year.
Christkindlmarket, Chicago
Christkindlmarket in Chicago, now in its 28th year, is one of the nation’s oldest German holiday markets. It sets the standard to the degree that its sponsor, the German American Chamber of Commerce in Chicago, has become the de facto consultant to other cities that aspire to Christkindlmarket greatness.
Literally meaning “Christ Child Market,” the market is modeled after the 16th-century Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, and its Christkind (a golden fairy in white robes) is the German equivalent of Santa Claus.
Along with classic German culinary delicacies — like lebkuchen (gingerbread), giant pretzels, hot spiced wine, bratwurst and roasted nuts — there are twinkling lights, live music and authentic German handicrafts like weihnachtspyramide (Christmas pyramids), ornate nutcrackers and whimsical tree ornaments.
Chicago’s largest open-air Christmas festival draws more than 1 million people annually across its two locations in downtown Chicago (at Daley Plaza) and in the western suburb of Aurora. The downtown and Aurora locations are open daily and free to attend from Nov. 22-Dec. 24; hours vary by location.
TPG tip: There are many amazing points hotels in Chicago, but The LaSalle Chicago, an Autograph Collection hotel, is just a 10-minute walk from the downtown market and offers a package that includes two drink coupons for gluhwein (mulled wine) at the Christkindlmarket and two 2024 Christkindlmarket souvenir mugs at check-in. Rates start at $239 or 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Nestled in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem is called the Christmas City for a reason: It’s one of the best places in the U.S. to experience the joy and cheer of the holiday season. Set up at the iconic SteelStacks venue, the city’s Christkindlmarkt features food, drink and craft vendors offering up wares from all over the world. One beloved vendor people queue up to see every year is Kathe Wohlfahrt, a German company known for its handcrafted Christmas ornaments and decorations.
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Christkindlmarkt 2024 begins Nov. 15 and runs from Friday through Sunday for the first three weekends. Then, starting Dec. 5, the market is open Thursdays through Sundays. The market is open Thursdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets range between $11 and $15 and are valid for specific dates; they can be purchased ahead of time online. The event ends Dec. 22.
Even if you can only get to Bethlehem at the tail end of Christkindlmarkt, there are still plenty of places to visit in the area full of holiday cheer. Whether you’re drawn to the pop-up shops that make up Main Street’s Christmas Village, love seeing massive Christmas trees lit up in all their glory or want to sip a deliciously cozy hot chocolate while exploring and snapping holiday photos, Bethlehem is a can’t-miss stop for Christmas fans.
TPG tip: Book your stay at the historic Hotel Bethlehem, which is beautifully decorated during the holidays with more than 35,000 lights and 25 Christmas trees. Rates start at $359 per night on holiday market weekends.
DowntownDC Holiday Market, Washington, DC
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024, the DowntownDC Holiday Market is filled to the brim with holiday cheer. Running this year from Nov. 22 through Dec. 23 (closed Thanksgiving), it takes place against the splendid backdrop of the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum. The market is free to attend and open from noon to 8 p.m.
This year, more than 100 exhibitors, including Black-owned and minority-owned businesses, will present an eclectic range of products that transcend holiday kitsch. There’s fine art, one-off jewelry pieces, ceramics, clothing, unique culinary items and plenty more.
In addition to live music spanning blues, soul, rock and country (as well as a few rockin’ holiday classics), festive revelers can also sample dishes from local restaurants alongside more traditional holiday delights.
TPG tip: The Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC is on the same street as the holiday market and offers rates from $173 or 29,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
North Pole Winterfest, Alaska
Just 15 minutes south of Fairbanks, Alaska, you’ll find another North Pole populated with the same storybook cast and jovial festive spirit.
This year, on Dec. 14, North Pole hosts its lively Winterfest. Beneath candy cane-striped lamps, you can peruse handicrafts from local vendors at the Holiday Bazaar, decorate Christmas cookies and enjoy a festive fireworks display. The event is free to attend, and the Bazaar opens at 10 a.m. with fireworks at 6 p.m.
The large holiday store that’s known as Santa Claus House is North Pole’s most popular tourist attraction. While shopping for festive goodies, you can also arrange for Santa (who makes frequent appearances) to send a letter to your kids and taste local culinary treats.
TPG tip: The Hotel North Pole has a fully decorated Santa Suite that is still available for $352 the night of the Holiday Bazaar.
Peoples Gas Holiday Market, Pittsburgh
Now in its 13th year, the Peoples Gas Holiday Market will occur in downtown Pittsburgh’s Market Square from Nov. 22 to Dec. 24, excluding Thanksgiving. Ring in the holiday season at the Highmark Light Up Night on Nov. 23, with a traditional tree lighting ceremony, live music and fireworks happening across the city.
For 2024, the holiday market’s charming wooden chalets will purvey a range of local and international crafts. There are artisan food items, like chocolate from Copper Coast Confections (one of Pittsburgh’s beloved chocolatiers), Eastern European folk art (think nesting dolls, hand-painted Christmas ornaments, pottery and hand-carved Santas), and fair trade ceramics, jewelry and blankets from South America. On Dec. 5-8 and 12-15, there will also be a pop-up market showcasing local Black-owned businesses at Market Square.
The market is free to attend and hours vary by day.
TPG tip: The Industrialist Hotel, Pittsburgh, Autograph Collection is two blocks from Market Square. Rates start at $140 or 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night during the Christmas market.
Cambria Christmas Market, California
While SoCal vibes and sunny climes might not be the obvious backdrop for a German Christmas market, this quaint coastal enclave has plenty of holiday spirit (and great shopping). Held at the Cambria Pines Lodge, the 13th annual Cambria Christmas Market has vendors selling nutcrackers, ornaments, trinkets, and festive bites and libations.
After perusing the stalls and finishing your last-minute holiday shopping, you can kick back with a German beer or gluhwein beside the fire pit, listen to live holiday tunes, ride on the holiday train, and take in the 3 million twinkling lights.
In 2024, Cambria’s market runs from Nov. 29 to Dec. 31 (and is closed Dec. 2-3, 9-10 and 24-25). The market is open from 5 to 9 p.m. each night of the market with the last entry at 8:30 p.m. Tickets start at $28 (prices vary by date) and can be bought online in advance.
TPG tip: Stay steps away from the action at the Cambria Pines Lodge, which offers a Cambria Christmas Market package that includes breakfast and tickets to the event for each person on the reservation. Rates start at $369 per night.
Carmel Christkindlmarkt, Indiana
A 30-minute drive north of Indianapolis, the town of Carmel brings plenty of European charm and traditions to the Midwest with its quaint Christkindlmarkt that takes place this year from Nov. 23 to Dec. 24 at Carter Green between The Palladium Theater and the Tarkington Theater.
Part of this market’s charm is its authentic ambience and decorations (including a genuine 33-foot-tall, 10-ton German gluhwein pyramid). With more than 60 huts, there are vendors selling quality handmade crafts and delicious German food and libations. New at the market for 2024 is feuerzangenbowle, a centuries-old flaming German cocktail made with a sugar cone soaked in rum, placed over gluhwein and lit on fire so that the rum and carmelized sugar drips into the wine.
In addition to last-minute holiday gifts, the market offers ice skating, live demos from German artisans and plenty of family-friendly activities. Little ones can decorate cookies and make necklaces at Kinderecke (kids corner), and children can meet Santa and his elves at the Spielhaus (playhouse).
The market is closed Mondays and Tuesdays as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Entrance is free and hours vary by date.
TPG tip: The Hotel Carmichael, Autograph Collection is less than a 10-minute walk from the market. Rates start at $228 or 24,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Christmas Village, Philadelphia
Christmas Village in Philadelphia is back for the holiday season at Love Park and City Hall from Nov. 23 to Dec. 24.
More than 60 vendors are housed in traditional timber booths selling classic holiday treats as well as both locally made and European products. You can shop for a variety of international holiday gifts, ornaments, jewelry, and high-quality arts and crafts, all while enjoying traditional European food, sweets and drinks. There’s also an old-school Christmas carousel, a Ferris wheel and a train that’s a big hit with little ones.
The market is free to attend and hours vary by day.
TPG tip: The Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center is three blocks away from Love Park and goes big with its holiday decorations. It also offers complimentary Jellycat ornaments for children at check-in during the holidays. Rooms start at $1,080 per night.
Texas Christkindl Market, Arlington, Texas
If you’re down south, try the Texas Christkindl Market in Arlington, the largest open-air Christmas market in the Southwest. It’s inspired by a 70-year relationship between Arlington and its sister city, Bad Konigshofen, Germany. Working with its partner Christmas city, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, since 2011, the Texas Christkindl Market aims to bring the European Christmas market experience to the Lone Star State.
Celebrating its 14th year, the family-friendly event will run from Nov. 22-24 and Nov. 29-Dec. 23 at North Plaza at Globe Life Field. The market runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and is free to attend.
TPG tip: The Live! by Loews hotel in Arlington is within the Globe Life Field complex so you don’t have to worry about reparking your car. Rates start at $209 per night.
Union Square Holiday Market, New York City
Is there anything like Christmas in New York City? Although New York City has more than one Christmas market, the Union Square Holiday Market is a favorite among locals and visitors. Local merchants have more than 185 booths selling arts, crafts, clothing and holiday novelties. Be sure to stop by this year from Nov. 14 to Dec. 24. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, the market is open other days from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Monday-Friday) and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Saturday-Sunday).
If you fancy trying another holiday market in the city, try Winter Village at Bryant Park, which offers a free ice skating rink, holiday shops, and rinkside eats and drinks.
TPG tip: The nearby Hyatt Union Square New York has rooms starting at $288 or 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
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