If you've been dreaming of a holiday vacation to Europe to shop the renowned Christmas markets, you'll be excited to hear you can enjoy a taste of the holiday festivities closer to home - no transatlantic flight needed. From the West Coast to the East Coast, there are dozens of delightful Christmas markets that capture the magic and joy of the beloved European markets that have been attended for hundreds of years.
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The tradition of Christmas markets originated in Germany as early as the 14th century during the four weeks of Advent. It is said that Dresden's Striezelmarkt, Frankfurt, and Munich were some of the first in the world. Though replicated in other countries around Europe, Austria's "December market" could actually be the oldest Christmas market since it is said to have originated in 1298. It is also where the beloved character of the Christkind (or Christkindl) originated as the holiday gift giver.
From traditional German food, desserts and beer to European-made crafts and treasures, and even traditional German entertainment - you'll experience it all at these holly jolly markets, which have proven to be the best in the nation.
So, no matter where you are in the country, there's sure to be a market you'll love not too far away where you can sip mulled wine, bite into a Belgian waffle, and indulge in a bratwurst, all while checking off your holiday shopping list while finding one-of-a-kind and unique goods. Many of the markets also offer plenty of activities for kids too, making it a memorable event for the whole family that will surely become a Christmas tradition for years to come.
Union Square Holiday Market
Union Square Holiday Market
Where: New York, New York
When: Nov. 16 - Dec. 24
This bustling holiday market has enough shops to cover gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list, with participants that range from thrift stores to wine shops and spas. Plus, while you're there you can peruse the open-air produce market, take your dog to the Union Square Park dog run, and dine at one of the many award-winning restaurants participating in the market.
Christkindlmarket Chicago
Instagram/thechristkindlmarket
Where: Chicago, Illinois
When: Nov. 17 - Dec. 24
This Christmas market promises to be one of the most authentic in the country with plenty of beloved German fare such as pretzels and bratwurst, perfectly paired with roasted nuts and hot spiced wine. Attendees will enjoy live music, shopping, delightful holiday decor and more.
Denver Christkindlmarket
Denver Christkindlmarket
Where: Denver, Colorado
When: Nov. 17 - Dec. 23
The Denver Christkindlmarket offers all the excitement of a truly authentic Christmas market - from food and shopping to entertainment right in the mountains of Denver, while still adding its own spin with special theme nights like Canine Christmas and Ugly Sweater Night.
Christmas Village
Instagram/Philachristas
Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
When: Nov. 18 - Dec. 24
The Christmas Village surrounding LOVE Park is the perfect place for Christmas shopping with vendors selling holiday gifts, ornaments, jewelry, and arts and crafts. It also has all kinds of European holiday sweet and savory treats for getting in the holiday spirit - from waffles and gingerbread to bratwurst.
Texas Christkindl Market
Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau
Where: Arlington, Texas
When: Nov. 24 - Dec. 23
This European-style market has been a Texas tradition for more than ten years offering free, family-friendly fun and Christmas entertainment as well as traditional European holiday fare like bratwurst and potato pancakes and unique holiday shopping opportunities.
Christkindlmarkt
Instagram/christmascity_pa
Where: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
When: Nov. 17 - Dec. 17
It's no surprise that Bethlehem - known as The Christmas City - is the home of one of the country's best Christmas markets. It's known for having some of the best shopping with handmade items crafted by artisans from around the country, and even has Käthe-Wohlfahrt - the renowned German Christmas decor company - in attendance selling ornaments, nutcrackers and other collectibles from Germany.
Kris Kringle Market
Instagram/discovervailco
Where: Vail, Colorado
When: Dec. 8-11
Vail is the perfect snow-covered setting for a traditional Christmas market and the Kris Kringle Market doesn't disappoint with its local, Colorado-based shopping vendors, variety of festive treats and cheerful holiday decor.
European Christmas Market
Instagram/europeanchristmasmarket
Where: St. Paul, Minnesota
When: TBA
This Christmas market prides itself on its authenticity, which transports you straight to Europe with handmade European crafts, an impressive lineup of entertainment themed around different European countries, and a variety of European-inspired eats to try.
Christkindl Market
Christkindl Market
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
When: Nov. 17-29, Nov. 24 - Dec. 24
This holiday market offers the magic of a traditional European Christmas market with the spirit of Atlanta, featuring 50 vendors offering everything from ornaments to jewelry and bath and body items. Vendors also offer beloved German fare like pretzels, schnitzel, and bratwurst along with mulled wine and hot chocolate.
Christkindlmarkt
Where: Cincinnati, Ohio
When: Nov. 3-5
This Christmas celebration has been taking place in Cincinnati for 25 years, making it one of the oldest markets of its kind in the region. It has all types of German delicacies from mock turtle soup to bratwurst - plus plenty of German beer and hot, mulled wine. Shoppers will also love the assortment of imported German goods including beer steins, cuckoo clocks and nutcrackers.
Peoples Gas Holiday Market
People's Gas Holiday Market
Where: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
When: Nov. 18 - Dec. 24
This charming, nationally recognized holiday market has all the lights, shopping, and festive dining options you need to get yourself in the holiday spirit. At this family-friendly event, kids can even visit Santa's whimsical home for a visit.
Downtown Holiday Market
Downtown Holiday Market
Where: Washington, DC
When: Nov. 17 - Dec. 23
The Downtown Holiday Market had been a favorite holiday event of Washington DC-area residents for nearly two decades - providing small businesses an idyllic, holiday-themed setting to sell their products. The market also features six different food vendors and live entertainment by regional performers.
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Where: Frankenmuth, Michigan
When: Nov. 24-26, Dec. 1-3, Dec. 8-10
Frankenmuth, known as Michigan's little Bavaria, has the magic of Germany all year round but becomes even more special during the holidays with its ice skating, singing Christmas tree, impressive holiday decor and open-air holiday market. The ChristKindlMarkt is a cant miss event that has handmade gifts, live music and appearances by Santa!
Christmas Village
Christmas Village
Where: Baltimore, Maryland
When: Nov. 18th - Dec. 24
This authentic Christmas market in Baltimore's Inner Harbor has it all - from shopping to traditional German fare to a 30-foot, German-inspired Christmas Pyramid with 3,000 lights. It's also perfect for families with a 65-foot-tall Ferris Wheel, carousel and photo opps with Santa.
Savannah Christmas Market
Savannah Christmas Market
Where: Savannah, Georgia
When: Nov. 16 - Jan. 1
The Savannah Christmas Market, inspired by the renowned Salzburg Christmas markets in Austria, has live music, Christmas lights, activities for the kids and photos with Santa Claus. Plus, attendees will be able to see the Savannah Harbor Boat Parade of Lights right from the market.
Solvang Julefest
Solvang
Where: Solvang, California
When: Nov. 24 - Jan. 5
Solvang - known as The Danish Capital of America - brings a taste of Europe to the West Coast all year round, but its Julefest is especially exciting for those wanting to experience the magic of a European Christmas market right here in the U.S. The month-long holiday event features a scavenger hunt, candlelight tours, and a food tour of the town.
Holland Kerstmarkt
Holland Area Visitor's Bureau
Where: Holland, Michigan
When: Nov. 18 - Dec. 16
Holland, which is known for bringing a piece of Dutch to the Midwest, hosts its own Kerstmarkt - or Christmas market in Dutch - each year, allowing holiday shoppers to peruse one-of-a-kind markets made by local artisans. The market, which has been going strong since 1997, has become one of the area's best-loved traditions.
Old World Christmas Market
Old World Christmas Market
Where: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
When: Dec. 1-10
This 10-day market, hosted at the luxe Osthoff Resort, was planned to resemble the Christmas markets that would take place in Nüremberg, Germany and offers all kinds of unique items such as Russian nesting dolls and stained glass as well as traditional German cuisine like dumplings and apple strudel.
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Where: New York, New York
When: Nov. 28 - Dec. 31
This European-style annual holiday market has one of the largest assortments of vendors at an event of its kind in the country, bringing together more than 100 artisans and designers selling everything from handmade jewelry to specialty foods - making it perfect for knocking out your holiday shopping.
Carmel Christkindlmarkt
Carmel Christkindlmarkt
Where: Carmel, Indiana
When: Nov. 18 - Dec. 24
This festive market surrounding an ice-skating rink has a variety of German goods to purchase as well as live music, cookie decorating, pictures with Santa and more. Plus, it has dozens of food vendors serving European delicacies like German beers, mulled wine, Belgian waffles, and bratwurst - to name a few.
