You don’t need to cross the Atlantic to feel like you’re walking through a festive Old World Christmas Market. All across America, you’ll find European-style Christmas markets filled with twinkling lights, handcrafted gifts, mulled wine, and the magical feeling of the holiday season.
From Victorian-themed Christmas fairs in California to Bavarian-inspired holiday markets in Georgia and snowy towns like Elkhart Lake and Bethlehem, the best Christmas markets in the US bring seasonal cheer to life.
Whether you're hunting for unique holiday gifts, sipping hot chocolate, or immersing yourself in festive music, these Christmas markets in the US will make your 2025 holiday unforgettable.
Where: Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, near San Francisco
When: Weekends, Nov 22–Dec 21, 2025
Why go: Victorian London vibes, music halls, roasted chestnuts
Step into a living storybook at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair, where you’ll stroll cobbled lanes straight out of Victorian London. Held at the Cow Palace near San Francisco, this Christmas fair in Daly City features hundreds of costumed performers, bustling festive shops, and treats like Christmas pudding and roasted nuts.
Lose yourself in music halls, dance floors, and the rich scents of traditional food at one of the most unique Christmas markets in the US.
Where: The Osthoff Resort
When: Dec 5–14, 2025
Why go: European-style Christmas market, horse-drawn wagon rides, handcrafted ornaments
The Old World Christmas Market Elkhart Lake, held beneath a heated tent at the charming Osthoff Resort, brings a slice of Nuremberg to Wisconsin.
Browse handmade gifts, handmade ornaments, and holiday decorations from international artisans. Enjoy the Old World Food Court, where you can try potato pancakes, apple strudel, or sauerkraut, then take a horse-drawn wagon ride through this wintry paradise.
Where: Daley Plaza
When: Nov 20–Dec 24, 2025
Why go: Hot spiced wine, festive music, iconic Christmas spirit
A crown jewel among US Christmas markets, Christkindlmarket Chicago channels Germany’s oldest holiday markets. From Glühwein (that’s mulled wine) and fresh pretzels to live music and free admission, it’s packed with Christmas spirit.
You'll find roasted chestnuts, festive foods, and handmade ornaments under sparkling lights, and even a Kinder Club for the kids.
Where: Union Square
When: Nov 14–Dec 24, 2025
Why go: Over 150 vendors, downtown NYC buzz, cozy chalets
Looking for the best Christmas market in New York? The Union Square Holiday Market has it all: festive shops, hot chocolate, unique holiday gifts, and holiday treats served up from alpine-style chalets.
It’s the perfect holiday market for ticking off your gift list and catching that tree lighting ceremony feel without the Times Square crowds.
Where: SteelStacks campus
When: Nov 15–Dec 22, 2025
Why go: Bethlehem = Christmas City, German vendors, music, and Santa
Nicknamed Christmas City, Bethlehem, PA, hosts one of the best Christmas markets in the US. Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem blends old-world charm with American holiday cheer. Think handcrafted gifts, German ornaments, holiday foods, live music, and jolly St. Nick himself.
You’ll find festive spirit around every corner of this 10-acre celebration.
Where: Buckhead Village District
When: Nov 28–Dec 24, 2025
Why go: Roasted nuts, German-American Chamber support, festive food and drinks
This Bavarian-style Christmas market brings European-style Christmas to the South. Located in Atlanta’s Buckhead Village District, the market is hosted by the German American Chamber and includes food vendors, artisan stalls, and festive music. Sip on hot mulled wine, grab a German sausage, and shop for handmade gifts under twinkling lights.
Where: Market Square
When: Mid-November–Dec 23, 2025
Why go: Downtown holiday market, civic center park vibes, unique finds
Tucked in Pittsburgh’s historic Market Square, this holiday market blends old-world Christmas market charm with a cozy, small-city feel.
Shop for handmade gifts, watch the tree lighting ceremony, and sip hot cocoa while live performers bring the holiday season to life. This market is ideal for families looking for something both manageable and magical.
Where: North Plaza at Globe Life Field
When: Late November–Dec 23, 2025
Why go: Warm-weather Christmas spirit, German culture, family-friendly fun
One of the largest Christmas markets in Texas, the Texas Christkindl Market offers German-style holiday cheer in the Lone Star State. Shop festive foods, grab a steaming mug of Glühwein, and explore booths selling everything from handcrafted ornaments to traditional German gifts. It’s a great option if you're chasing holiday spirit in warm weather.
Where: Civic Center Park
When: Nov 21–Dec 23, 2025
Why go: Mile High Tree, hot spiced wine, festive music, mountain views
Head to Denver's Civic Center Park for a Colorado Christmas market with mountain vibes. With the towering Mile High Tree as its centerpiece, this Christmas village brings Old World charm to the Rockies.
Enjoy holiday treats, roasted nuts, live entertainment, and the magic of the yuletide season at altitude.
Where: Also at The Osthoff Resort
When: Part of the Old World event
Why go: Different vendors, global flair, whole family fun
Part of Elkhart’s main Old World Christmas Market, this bonus World Christmas Market showcases festive shops from around the globe. Explore holiday decorations, international treats, and workshops where kids can make their own handmade ornaments. It’s a true Christmas market for the whole family.
Wander offers luxury vacation rentals across the U.S., many in close proximity to these incredible holiday markets.
Whether you’re after a secluded cabin in the mountains, a stylish townhouse near downtown holiday markets, or a coastal villa with easy access to Christmas city festivities, you’ll find the perfect backdrop for your winter escape.
Each Wander Christmas vacation rental includes:
Stylish furnishings and open-concept living spaces
Fully equipped kitchens for festive feasts
Hot tubs, fireplaces, and room for the whole family
High-speed Wi-Fi, dedicated workspaces, and 24/7 concierge support
From the Great Dickens Christmas Fair in Daly City to the Old World Christmas Market in Elkhart Lake, the best Christmas markets in the US offer something for everyone: nostalgia, holiday spirit, and endless opportunities to make magical memories.
Skip the overseas flight and experience the warmth, charm, and traditions of a European-style Christmas right here in the States. Still can't decide on a destination? Check out our guide to the best Christmas vacation destinations for more inspiration.
Christkindlmarket Chicago is widely considered the best Christmas market in the U.S. It combines Old World charm with big-city energy; think mulled wine, twinkling lights, live music, and hundreds of vendors selling handcrafted gifts. Inspired by Germany’s Nuremberg market, it's an authentic, festive experience that draws millions each year.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, also known as Christmas City, is probably the most Christmassy place in the U.S. Its Christkindlmarkt features artisan gifts, German food, carolers, and St. Nick himself.
The town is decked out in lights and traditions all season long, making it a picture-perfect winter wonderland.
The Old World Christmas Market in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, is a favorite among German expats. Held at The Osthoff Resort, it closely mirrors traditional Bavarian and German markets, complete with an Old World Food Court, German vendors, and festive music under a heated tent.
Visit German-inspired Christmas markets like Christkindlmarket Chicago, the Texas Christkindl Market, or the Atlanta Christkindl Market. These offer authentic treats like Glühwein (hot spiced wine), schnitzel, bratwurst, apple strudel, roasted nuts, and Christmas cookies, often imported or made using old-country recipes.
Yes, absolutely. Markets like Denver Christkindlmarket, Union Square Holiday Market in NYC, and Great Dickens Christmas Fair in California are worth the trip. They offer immersive experiences with live entertainment, festive food, handcrafted gifts, and magical atmospheres you can’t replicate online or in malls.
Chicago, Milwaukee, Bethlehem (PA), and Fredericksburg (TX) have deep German heritage that shines during the holidays.
Their Christmas markets feature European-style decorations, German vendors, music, and traditional foods, preserving cultural authenticity and festive spirit.
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