TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The holiday season is arriving in all its radiant splendor, and with carols playing in the background, families gather to hunt for the best Christmas markets in the U.S., which can rival even the most emphasized Christmas street celebration in Europe.
Bathed in a golden glow and alive with the hum of cheerful crowds, these markets transform even the coldest nights into warm celebrations of the season. From the aroma of spiced drinks to the melodies echoing through festive aisles, every corner invites you deeper into its holiday spell. Whether you are chasing unique crafts or simply savoring the moment, these winter wonderlands curated by Lonely Planet and Time Out promise a cheerful escape into the heart of Christmas.
The Best Christmas Markets in the U.S.
1. Christkindlmarket | Chicago, Illinois
In Chicago’s Christkindlmarket, the centuries-old charm of a traditional German holiday fair is brilliantly reborn in the heart of a bustling American city. As one of the best Christmas markets in the U.S., it channels its European roots through the aroma of steaming hot chocolate, sizzling currywurst, and richly spiced mulled wine drifting through crisp winter air.
Yet even amid this Old World enchantment, Chicago’s character shines through at Daley Plaza, where a beloved pierogi booth proudly anchors the scene, paying homage to the city’s enduring Polish heritage.
Date: Nov 21–Dec 24 (Daley Plaza), Nov 21–Dec 24 (Aurora), Nov 23–Dec 31 (Wrigleyville)
Address: Daley Plaza, 50 W Washington St; Aurora RiverEdge Park, 360 N Broadway; Wrigleyville at Gallagher Way, 3635 N Clark St
2. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair | Daly City, CA
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair once again invites Bay Area visitors into a meticulously crafted Victorian London, asserting its reputation as one of the best Christmas markets in the U.S. Now in its 55th year, the fair fills over 140,000 square feet with a vibrant cast of chimney sweeps, merchants, suffragists, and Dickens-era icons, all bringing classic scenes to life with theatrical flourish.
Entertainment unfolds at every turn: sea-shanty performances, lively pantomimes, dance lessons at Fezziwig’s Warehouse, and scenes drawn from Dickens’s most beloved tales. Even better, visitors can indulge in British comfort classics, sip mulled wine, or elevate the experience with curated tastings and corset-fitting sessions.
Date: Nov 22, 23, 28–30; Dec 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21
Address: Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, 2600 Geneva Blvd, Daly City
3. D.C. Holiday Market | Washington, D.C
Set against the cultural backdrop of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, the Downtown DC Holiday Market has evolved over two decades into one of the best holiday destinations, drawing crowds to its lively open-air corridors each winter. More than 100 vendors fill the heart of the capital with handcrafted jewelry, artisanal candles, bespoke clothing, and a tempting array of regional flavors, from smoky local barbecue to inventive street-side tacos.
Local musicians set the air humming with festive energy, turning 19th Street into a vibrant boulevard where music weaves through the swirl of shoppers. And with top-tier museums and celebrated restaurants only moments away, the experience naturally expands into a rewarding journey through the capital’s cultural and culinary heart.
Date: Nov 14–Dec 23
Address: Dupont Circle, 1500 block of New Hampshire Ave, D.C.
4. Union Square Market | New York City, NY
In the heart of a city that defines Christmas itself, the Union Square Holiday Market stands as New York’s most essential seasonal stop. With more than 185 vendors packed into its bustling maze, this addition to the best Christmas markets in the U.S. offers thoughtful finds for even the most impossible names on your list. As you navigate its lively corridors, indulgent sweet and savory treats serve as the perfect reward for your holiday diligence.
Date: Nov 13–Dec 24
Address: Union Square Park, New York
5. Christmas Village | Baltimore, MD
Now in its 12th year, Baltimore’s Christmas Village reimagines the Inner Harbor as a glittering Old World spectacle, earning its place among the best Christmas markets in the U.S. Inspired by Nuremberg’s legendary 16th-century Christkindlesmarkt, the waterfront comes alive with more than 65 local and international vendors housed in a sweeping heated tent and charming wooden booths.
Here, visitors discover everything from artisan-made ornaments to rare holiday keepsakes, including the cherished offerings of Käthe Wohlfahrt.
Thousands of lights, most notably the glowing Glühwein Pyramide, cast a festive glow over the promenade, where visitors can savor steaming mugs of mulled wine, Belgian fries, or a hearty stein of German beer.
Date: Nov 22, 23, 27–30; Dec 3–7, 10–14, 17–24
Address: West Shore Park, Baltimore
6. Christmas Village | Philadelphia, PA
Framed by Philadelphia’s beloved LOVE sculpture, Christmas Village dresses up the city center each winter as a vibrant crossroads of global culture and holiday cheer. From late November through Christmas Eve, visitors wander through rows of international vendors, savoring the aromas of bratwurst, waffles, raclette, and mulled wine that drift through LOVE Park’s festive air.
Serving as the crown jewel of Philly’s festive season, alongside the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market, the Dilworth Park Ice Rink, and the dazzling Festival of Trees, it invites guests to shop, indulge, and revel in the spirited warmth of a European-style Christmas without ever leaving the city.
Date: Nov 22–Dec 24
Address: Love Park & City Hall, 1500 Arch St, Philadelphia
7. Kerstmarkt | Holland, Michigan
Honoring the town’s Dutch roots, Holland’s Kerstmarkt stands apart from other European-inspired fairs and easily claims its position among the best Christmas markets in the US. What began in 1997 as a modest gathering of 10 booths has evolved into a lively showcase of dozens of rotating vendors, from local farmers to artisan craftsmen.
Set along 8th Street Market Place in front of the Civic Center, Kerstmarkt’s wooden stalls and occasional surprise events bring a distinctly Dutch charm to America’s holiday season. Visitors can warm their hands around glühwein served in collectible mugs or indulge in a decadent hot-chocolate bar before catching a rare dogsled demonstration.
Date: Nov 21, 22, 28, 29; Dec 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20
Address: 8th St Marketplace, 150 West 8th Street, Holland
8. Carmel Christkindlmarkt | Carmel, Indiana
Each winter, Carmel Christkindlmarkt sweeps Central Indiana into a spell of old-world nostalgia, with its glowing ice rink and rows of wooden huts evoking the charm of a classic German holiday village. Across the dramatic landscape, more than 60 vendors tempt visitors with hand-carved ornaments, steaming raclette sandwiches, and this year’s star indulgence, known as feuerzangenbowle, or a dramatic flaming glühwein.
During the festive season, families often linger between artisan workshops, where glassblowers and woodcarvers work in full view, while the lively Kinderecke is occupied with children decorating cookies, and meeting beloved characters.
Date: Nov 22, 23, 26, 28–30; Dec 3–7, 10–14, 17–21, 24
Address: 10 Carter Green, Carmel
9. Old World Christmas Market | Elkhart Lake, WI
Tucked away in the tranquil village of Elkhart Lake, the Old World Christmas Market proves year after year why it ranks among the best Christmas markets in the US. For ten festive days, the Osthoff Resort’s sprawling heated tent becomes a sanctuary of Old World charm, fragrant with evergreens and roasted almonds as visitors browse treasures from master artisans across Europe. From Czech blown-glass ornaments and German nutcrackers to Estonian woolens and Turkish pashminas, the market offers a trove of rare finds.
Date: Dec 5–14, 2025
Address: Osthoff Resort, 101 Osthoff Ave, Elkhart Lake
10. Denver Christkindlmarket | Denver, CO
Marking its 25th anniversary with renewed flair, the Denver Christkindlmarket reaffirms its standing among the best Christmas markets in the US. Now settled into its vibrant new home on the Auraria Campus, the market dazzles with glittering lights, lively performances, and interactive touches, from glass-ornament workshops to eco-friendly initiatives that have earned it official green-event status.
Visitors can warm their hands around mugs of glühwein, browse handcrafted treasures from global artisans, and step inside the Mile High Tree, the nation’s tallest LED Christmas tree.
Date: Nov 21-Dec 23, 2025
Address: Auraria Campus, Tivoli Quad, 1000 Larimer St, Denver
As the season’s glow settles over these celebrated destinations, the best Christmas markets in the U.S. prove that holiday magic thrives just as brightly on this side of the Atlantic. Each market offers its own blend of heritage, craftsmanship, and heartwarming tradition. And when you’re ready to expand your festive journey even further, continue the adventure with our guide to the best Christmas markets in Europe for an unforgettable holiday escape.
Editor’s Choice: 10 Christmas Traditions Around the World You Might Never Heard Of
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