As the top of the 12 months approaches, Christmas markets are a surefire option to put you in a festive temper. Whereas Europe has a longer-standing custom, these magical markets have gained recognition within the U.S. because of their Instagram-worthy shows, an abundance of spiced wine, and a big number of handcrafted toys and ornaments.
Christmas markets usher within the heat, fuzzy glow of the vacation season and are a good way to assist native artisans and join with the group. They’re additionally an ideal supply for items which are 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’ll be able to’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 likely 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 Little one 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, scorching spiced wine, bratwurst and roasted nuts.
Chicago’s largest open-air Christmas competition will probably 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 each day and free to attend; hours range by location.
TPG tip: There are lots of superb factors resorts in Chicago, however The LaSalle Chicago, Autograph Assortment is only a 10-minute stroll from the downtown market and presents a “Christkindlmarket Expertise” package deal that features two drink coupons for gluhwein (mulled wine) and two memento mugs at check-in. Primary charges begin at $172 or 44,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening.
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Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Nestled within the coronary heart of Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem known as the Christmas Metropolis for a purpose: It is the most effective locations within the U.S. to expertise the enjoyment and cheer of the vacation season. Arrange on the iconic SteelStacks venue, the town’s Christkindlmarkt options meals, drink and craft distributors providing wares from everywhere in the world. One beloved vendor individuals queue as much as see yearly is Kathe Wohlfahrt, a German firm identified for its handcrafted Christmas ornaments and decorations.
This 12 months’s market begins Nov. 14 and will probably 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 kids 5 and below get in free. Plus, this 12 months, admission charges will probably be waived Friday nights between 5 p.m. and eight p.m.
Christkindlmarkt is not the one option to expertise the vacation season in Bethlehem. Try the twinkling Christmas bushes within the Historic Moravian District, the pop-up retailers in Essential Road’s Christmas Village or the window adorning contest alongside the streets of downtown.
TPG tip: Lower your expenses for souvenirs with an inexpensive 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 evening), which is fantastically adorned in the course of the holidays with greater than 35,000 lights and 25 Christmas bushes. It is obtainable 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 every single 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 wonderful artwork, one-off jewellery items, ceramics, clothes, distinctive culinary objects and many extra.
Along with stay music spanning blues, soul, rock and nation (in addition to just a few rockin’ vacation classics), festive revelers can even pattern dishes from native eating places alongside extra conventional vacation delights.
TPG tip: The Kimpton Lodge Monaco Washington DC is on the identical avenue because the market and presents charges beginning at $170 or 31,000 IHG One Rewards factors per evening.
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North Pole Winterfest, Alaska
Simply quarter-hour south of Fairbanks, Alaska, you may discover one other North Pole populated with the identical storybook forged and jovial festive spirit. And the city of North Pole will host its annual Winterfest on Dec. 13.
Beneath sweet cane-striped lamps, you’ll be able to peruse handicrafts from native distributors on the Vacation Bazaar, beautify Christmas cookies and revel 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 big vacation retailer generally known as Santa Claus Home is North Pole’s hottest vacationer attraction. Whereas looking for festive goodies, you can too pattern native culinary treats and prepare for Santa (who makes frequent appearances) to ship a letter to your children.
TPG tip: North Pole does not have any factors resorts, however The Lodge North Pole has rooms beginning at $165 per evening throughout Winterfest. There’s even a totally adorned Santa Suite possibility.
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Peoples Gasoline Vacation Market, Pittsburgh
Now in its 14th 12 months, the Peoples Gasoline Vacation Market will probably 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, stay music and fireworks occurring throughout the town.
The market’s charming wood chalets will purvey a spread of native and worldwide treats and wares, like chocolate from Copper Coast Confections (considered one of Pittsburgh’s beloved chocolatiers), Japanese European people artwork (assume nesting dolls, hand-painted Christmas ornaments, pottery and hand-carved Santas) and honest 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 evening in the course of the Christmas market.
Cambria Christmas Market, California
Whereas SoCal vibes and sunny climes may not be the plain backdrop for a German Christmas market, this quaint coastal enclave has loads of vacation spirit (and nice purchasing). 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 purchasing, you’ll be able to relax with a German beer or gluhwein beside the fireplace pit, hearken to stay vacation tunes, trip on the vacation practice 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 carry your rewards bank cards.
TPG tip: You may get first rate worth in your Hyatt factors at White Water (from $269 or 20,000 factors per evening), 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 presents 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 evening.
Carmel Christkindlmarkt, Indiana
A 30-minute drive north of Indianapolis, the city of Carmel brings a contact of European allure 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 allure 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 presents ice skating, stay demos from German artisans and loads of family-friendly actions. Little ones can beautify cookies and make necklaces at Kinderecke (children nook), and kids 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 evening. Should you keep farther away, you’ll want to reap the benefits 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 not any cost to enter.
Conventional timber cubicles characteristic 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 practice that is a giant hit with kiddos.
TPG tip: Philly has no scarcity of factors resorts. A seven-minute stroll from the market, The Logan Philadelphia has cheap charges beginning at $160 or 54,000 Hilton Honors factors per evening this vacation season. Or elevate your keep at The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, bookable from $299 or 50,000 Marriott factors per evening.
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Texas Christkindl Market, Arlington, Texas
Should you’re down south, strive Arlington’s Texas Christkindl Market, the most important open-air Christmas market within the Southwest. It is impressed by a 70-year relationship between Arlington and its sister metropolis, Unhealthy Konigshofen, Germany. Working with its associate Christmas metropolis, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, since 2011, the Texas Christkindl Market goals to carry 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. each day and is free to attend.
TPG tip: The Dwell! by Loews lodge in Arlington is inside the Globe Life Discipline advanced, so you do not have to fret about reparking your automobile. Nightly charges begin at $229 in the course of the market. Should you’d relatively 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 evening).
Union Sq. Vacation Market, New York Metropolis
Is there something like Christmas in New York Metropolis? Though the Massive 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.
Make sure you cease by this 12 months from Nov. 13 to Dec. 24. The market is open each day (besides Thanksgiving), with hours various by day.
If you would like to go Christmas market-hopping, your subsequent cease must be Winter Village at Bryant Park, which presents 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 evening. Or splurge on the lately renovated W New York — Union Sq., beginning at $627 or 66,000 Marriott factors per evening.
Backside line
You do not have to fly throughout the pond to expertise the magic of Christmas markets. Our prime U.S. picks emulate genuine European markets with German delicacies like gluhwein and lebkuchen, plus worldwide handicrafts which are positive to be the envy of your Secret Santa group this 12 months. Nevertheless, these aren’t the one markets to think about — increasingly more 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’s the time to begin reserving vacation flights. And remember to maximise your Christmas market purchases with the most effective playing cards for on a regular basis spending.
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