As the top of the 12 months approaches, Christmas markets are a surefire technique to put you in a festive temper. Whereas Europe has a longer-standing custom, these magical markets have gained reputation within the U.S. because of their Instagram-worthy shows, an abundance of spiced wine, and a big choice of handcrafted toys and ornaments.
Christmas markets usher within the heat, fuzzy glow of the vacation season and are an effective way to help native artisans and join with the group. They’re additionally an ideal supply for items which might be extra considerate and artistic than an Amazon present card.
From Alaska to New York Metropolis, these 10 Christmas markets within the U.S. carefully replicate the actual factor in case you possibly can’t make it to Europe this 12 months.
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Christkindlmarket, Chicago
Christkindlmarket in Chicago, now in its twenty ninth 12 months, is without doubt one of the nation’s oldest German vacation markets and attracts greater than 1 million guests yearly. It units the usual to the diploma that its sponsor, the German American Chamber of Commerce in Chicago, has develop into the de facto guide to different cities that aspire to Christkindlmarket greatness.
Actually that means “Christ Youngster Market,” the market fashions itself after the Sixteenth-century Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, and its Christkind (a golden fairy in white robes) is the German equal of Santa Claus. Amid the twinkling lights and festive music, peruse genuine German handicrafts like weihnachtspyramide (Christmas pyramids) whereas snacking on traditional German delights like lebkuchen (gingerbread), big pretzels, sizzling spiced wine, bratwurst and roasted nuts.
Chicago’s largest open-air Christmas competition shall be unfold throughout three areas this 12 months. The downtown Chicago and Aurora markets will run from Nov. 21 to Dec. 24; the Wrigleyville market will run from Nov. 23 to Dec. 31. All are open day by day and free to attend; hours range by location.
TPG tip: There are various superb factors accommodations in Chicago, however The LaSalle Chicago, Autograph Assortment is only a 10-minute stroll from the downtown market and affords a “Christkindlmarket Expertise” package deal that features two drink coupons for gluhwein (mulled wine) and two memento mugs at check-in. Fundamental charges begin at $172 or 44,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time.
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Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Nestled within the coronary heart of Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem is named the Christmas Metropolis for a cause: It is among the finest locations within the U.S. to expertise the enjoyment and cheer of the vacation season. Arrange on the iconic SteelStacks venue, town’s Christkindlmarkt options meals, drink and craft distributors providing wares from all around the world. One beloved vendor folks queue as much as see yearly is Kathe Wohlfahrt, a German firm recognized for its handcrafted Christmas ornaments and decorations.
This 12 months’s market begins Nov. 14 and shall be open on weekends solely by means of Dec. 21. The market operates Friday to Sunday in November and Thursday to Sunday in December.
Day-of tickets value $13 per individual Thursdays and Fridays or $15.50 Saturdays and Sundays. It can save you $1 by buying your ticket prematurely, and youngsters 5 and underneath get in free. Plus, this 12 months, admission charges shall be waived Friday nights between 5 p.m. and eight p.m.
Christkindlmarkt is not the one technique to expertise the vacation season in Bethlehem. Take a look at the twinkling Christmas bushes within the Historic Moravian District, the pop-up retailers in Essential Avenue’s Christmas Village or the window adorning contest alongside the streets of downtown.
TPG tip: Get monetary savings for souvenirs with an reasonably priced keep on the Hyatt Place Bethlehem, a brief drive from the market, the place nightly charges begin at $160 or 8,000 World of Hyatt factors this winter. For one thing extra walkable, strive the historic Lodge Bethlehem (from $229 per night time), which is fantastically embellished throughout the holidays with greater than 35,000 lights and 25 Christmas bushes. It is accessible on some bank card portals, together with Chase Journey℠ and Capital One Journey, although it books up quick.
DowntownDC Vacation Market, Washington, DC
Celebrating its twenty first anniversary in 2025, the DowntownDC Vacation Market is a glittering jewel of vacation cheer set in opposition to the luxurious backdrop of the Nationwide Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Artwork Museum. The market is free to attend and open day by day of the week between Nov. 21 and Dec. 23.
This 12 months, greater than 100 exhibitors, together with Black-owned and minority-owned companies, will current an eclectic vary of merchandise that transcend vacation kitsch. There’s superb artwork, one-off jewellery items, ceramics, clothes, distinctive culinary objects and many extra.
Along with dwell music spanning blues, soul, rock and nation (in addition to a couple of rockin’ vacation classics), festive revelers may pattern dishes from native eating places alongside extra conventional vacation delights.
TPG tip: The Kimpton Lodge Monaco Washington DC is on the identical road because the market and affords charges beginning at $170 or 31,000 IHG One Rewards factors per night time.
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North Pole Winterfest, Alaska
Simply quarter-hour south of Fairbanks, Alaska, you will discover one other North Pole populated with the identical storybook solid and jovial festive spirit. And the city of North Pole will host its annual Winterfest on Dec. 13.
Beneath sweet cane-striped lamps, you possibly can peruse handicrafts from native distributors on the Vacation Bazaar, beautify Christmas cookies and luxuriate in a festive fireworks show. The occasion is free to attend, and the bazaar opens at 10 a.m., with fireworks at 6 p.m.
The massive vacation retailer often called Santa Claus Home is North Pole’s hottest vacationer attraction. Whereas purchasing for festive goodies, you can even pattern native culinary treats and organize for Santa (who makes frequent appearances) to ship a letter to your children.
TPG tip: North Pole does not have any factors accommodations, however The Lodge North Pole has rooms beginning at $165 per night time throughout Winterfest. There’s even a completely embellished Santa Suite choice.
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Peoples Fuel Vacation Market, Pittsburgh
Now in its 14th 12 months, the Peoples Fuel Vacation Market shall be held in downtown Pittsburgh’s Market Sq. from Nov. 21 to Dec. 24. Ring within the vacation season on the Highmark Gentle Up Night time on Nov. 22, with a conventional tree lighting ceremony, dwell music and fireworks taking place throughout town.
The market’s charming picket chalets will purvey a variety of native and worldwide treats and wares, like chocolate from Copper Coast Confections (one in all Pittsburgh’s beloved chocolatiers), Japanese European folks artwork (assume nesting dolls, hand-painted Christmas ornaments, pottery and hand-carved Santas) and truthful commerce ceramics, jewellery and blankets from South America.
The market is free to attend; hours range by day.
TPG tip: The Industrialist Lodge, Pittsburgh, Autograph Assortment is 2 blocks from Market Sq.. Charges begin at $140 or 37,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time throughout the Christmas market.
Cambria Christmas Market, California
Whereas SoCal vibes and sunny climes may not be the apparent backdrop for a German Christmas market, this quaint coastal enclave has loads of vacation spirit (and nice buying). Held on the Cambria Pines Lodge, the 14th annual Cambria Christmas Market has distributors promoting nutcrackers, ornaments, festive bites and libations.
After perusing the stalls and ending your last-minute vacation buying, you possibly can relax with a German beer or gluhwein beside the fireplace pit, take heed to dwell vacation tunes, experience on the vacation prepare and take within the 3 million twinkling lights.
In 2025, Cambria’s market runs most evenings from Nov. 28 to Dec. 31. Tickets begin at $28 (costs range by date), and a few dates promote out weeks prematurely, so get yours on-line early. This market is cashless, so convey your rewards bank cards.
TPG tip: You may get first rate worth to your Hyatt factors at White Water (from $269 or 20,000 factors per night time), a seaside Mr & Mrs Smith property just some minutes’ drive from the Christmas market. Alternatively, keep steps away from the motion at Cambria Pines Lodge, which affords a Cambria Christmas Market package deal with breakfast and tickets to the occasion for every individual on the reservation. Room-only charges begin at $259 per night time.
Carmel Christkindlmarkt, Indiana
A 30-minute drive north of Indianapolis, the city of Carmel brings a contact of European appeal and custom to the Midwest with its quaint Christkindlmarkt. This 12 months’s occasion will happen this 12 months from Nov. 22 to Dec. 24 at Carter Inexperienced between The Palladium Theater and the Tarkington Theater.
A part of this market’s appeal is its genuine atmosphere and decorations (together with a real 33-foot-tall, 10-ton German gluhwein pyramid). Browse high quality handmade crafts and German culinary concoctions — together with feuerzangenbowle, a centuries-old flaming cocktail — at greater than 60 vendor huts. The market additionally affords ice skating, dwell demos from German artisans and loads of family-friendly actions. Little ones can beautify cookies and make necklaces at Kinderecke (children nook), and youngsters can meet Santa and his elves on the Spielhaus (playhouse).
The market is closed Mondays and Tuesdays in addition to Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Entrance is free, and hours range by date.
TPG tip: The Lodge Carmichael, Autograph Assortment is lower than a 10-minute stroll from the market, with costs beginning at $227 or 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time. If you happen to keep farther away, make sure you make the most of the brand new free shuttle that runs each quarter-hour on weekends.
Christmas Village, Philadelphia
Christmas Village in Philadelphia is again for the 2025 vacation season at Love Park and Metropolis Corridor from Nov. 22 to Dec. 24. Hours range by day, and there is no cost to enter.
Conventional timber cubicles function greater than 60 distributors promoting traditional European vacation treats, in addition to each domestically made and European merchandise. There’s additionally an old-school Christmas carousel, a Ferris wheel and a prepare that is an enormous hit with kiddos.
TPG tip: Philly has no scarcity of factors accommodations. A seven-minute stroll from the market, The Logan Philadelphia has cheap charges beginning at $160 or 54,000 Hilton Honors factors per night time this vacation season. Or elevate your keep at The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, bookable from $299 or 50,000 Marriott factors per night time.
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Texas Christkindl Market, Arlington, Texas
If you happen to’re down south, strive Arlington’s Texas Christkindl Market, the biggest open-air Christmas market within the Southwest. It is impressed by a 70-year relationship between Arlington and its sister metropolis, Dangerous Konigshofen, Germany. Working with its accomplice Christmas metropolis, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, since 2011, the Texas Christkindl Market goals to convey the European Christmas market expertise to the Lone Star State.
This family-friendly occasion runs from Nov. 21-23 and Nov. 28-Dec. 23 at North Plaza at Globe Life Discipline. The market runs from 11 a.m. to eight p.m. day by day and is free to attend.
TPG tip: The Dwell! by Loews lodge in Arlington is throughout the Globe Life Discipline complicated, so you do not have to fret about reparking your automobile. Nightly charges begin at $229 throughout the market. If you happen to’d reasonably earn and burn factors and you do not thoughts a couple of minutes’ drive, contemplate Hyatt Place Dallas / Arlington (from $94 or 8,000 Hyatt factors per night time).
Union Sq. Vacation Market, New York Metropolis
Is there something like Christmas in New York Metropolis? Though the Huge Apple has multiple Christmas market, the Union Sq. Vacation Market is a favourite amongst locals and guests alike. You will discover 185 cubicles promoting arts, crafts, clothes, vacation novelties and extra.
Remember to cease by this 12 months from Nov. 13 to Dec. 24. The market is open day by day (besides Thanksgiving), with hours various by day.
If you would like to go Christmas market-hopping, your subsequent cease ought to be Winter Village at Bryant Park, which affords a free ice skating rink, vacation retailers, and rinkside eats and drinks.
TPG tip: The close by Hyatt Union Sq. New York has rooms beginning at $294 or 21,000 World of Hyatt factors per night time. Or splurge on the lately renovated W New York — Union Sq., beginning at $627 or 66,000 Marriott factors per night time.
Backside line
You do not have to fly throughout the pond to expertise the magic of Christmas markets. Our high U.S. picks emulate genuine European markets with German delicacies like gluhwein and lebkuchen, plus worldwide handicrafts which might be positive to be the envy of your Secret Santa group this 12 months. Nevertheless, these aren’t the one markets to think about — increasingly U.S. cities (and a few smaller cities) are becoming a member of within the festive enjoyable, together with Atlanta, Baltimore, Denver and San Francisco.
Able to plan a visit? Now could be the time to begin reserving vacation flights. And do not forget to maximise your Christmas market purchases with one of many finest playing cards for on a regular basis spending.
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