15 Best Christmas Markets in the US

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It’s never too early for starting the holiday season preparation. After all, it is one of the busiest times of the year and the long lines in front of malls can be stressful along with the constant thought of trying to find the best presents for your loved ones.

So, if you’re on the lookout for the best Christmas markets in the US and don’t want to be a grinch then keep reading!

List of Best Christmas Markets in the US

1. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, California

1. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, California
Photo: Dickens Fair

This is a unique Christmas market in San Francisco, California presented by Red Barn Productions since 1963. It highlights the life and work of the author, Charles Dickens.

It offers a Victorian London-themed celebration that demands you to get yourself in character. The theatre performances are something worth spectating along with their Renaissance Faire history and galleries that are all about originality.

The shops selling jewelry, toys, and masks are also worth visiting. Even though the fair is months away the planning and working on recreating Dicken’s London is already underway.

Following all the COVID guidelines the fair will be open for people with vaccination proof and other protocols. The 2021 ticket price dates will be announced on August 16th.  So, for all the fair fans out there. Get ready!

2. Winter Village Christmas market, New York

2. Winter Village Christmas market, New York
Credit: Timeout

It is one of the most spectacular and beautiful decorated markets in New York City located in Bryant Park featuring custom-made kiosks, toys, ornaments, and one-of-a-kind gifts for you to continue spreading the Christmas cheer to your dear ones along with festive food items, authentic German bratwurst that you can never get enough of.

It’s a magical place with a great scenic view of skyscrapers that makes holiday season shopping even more de-stressing and enjoyable.

It starts in October to March of the next year.

3. Christkindl market, Chicago

3. Christkindl market, Chicago

Third on the list of best Christmas markets in the US – Chicago’s Christkindl market is one of the topmost and longest-running Christmas markets in the US. It is known for its sausages, German food, and merchandise with a twist, ornaments, and woodworking pieces that are a work of art.

If you’re here and haven’t tried a glass of their gluhwein in their themed cups, then you haven’t lived. It even caters to kids’ entertainment with activities like scavenger hunts. It is open usually from mid-November up until Christmas eve.

4. Union Square Holiday Market

4. Union Square Holiday Market
Credit: Urban Space NYC

Yes, we’ve all heard about the famous ball drop in Times Square but the Union Square Holiday Market deserves as much praise and glory.  It is an international market where millions of people come to find unique handmade jewelry, ornaments, and toys to gift the little ones. A lot of shops even sell handcrafted bowls, winter accessories, and recycled products. Unfortunately due to COVID-19, it will remain closed.

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5. Toronto Christmas Market

5. Toronto Christmas Market

Canadians and even people all across the US eagerly await for this market to open to purchase quality goods like handmade ornaments, exquisite mouth-blown glass pieces, scented candles, wines, waffles, the classic tornado potato sticks, and many more.

Do not forget to catch a glimpse of the Ontario-grown balsam-fir that is hard to go unnoticed due to the huge amount of lights and ribbons wrapped around it.

It is generally open from mid-Nov up to a few days before Christmas.

6. Downtown Holiday Market

6. Downtown Holiday Market
Credit: Washington Org

If you’re looking for a good market in the US that speaks to your soul with the language of food then be sure to check out Downtown Holiday Market in Washington D.C. The fresh donuts, and holiday desserts along with the non-traditional and ethnic food it offers will leave your mouth tingling for more.

Its 17th annual Holiday Market will begin on November 19th. So with warmth, love, and care this market calls out to you this year to buy everything you need for this season’s Christmas. With more than 70 exhibitors including small /local businesses, it brings to you an array of Christmas products to choose from.

7. Old World Christmas Market

7. Old World Christmas Market
Credit: OSTHOFF

Seventh on the list of best Christmas markets in the US – located in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin is known for its display of German crafts, nutcrackers, and gingerbread houses. If you’re looking for gifts that are not just about European traditions but Russian and Czech traditions too, then this is the place. Eateries that are favorite among many include dumplings, apple strudels, etc.

8. Royal Bavaria Christkindlmarket, Oklahoma City

8. Royal Bavaria Christkindlmarket, Oklahoma City

Another great market to give you major European Christmas vibes. It is a small yet spectacular Christmas market perfect for a weekend night to have a look whilst sipping on hot chocolate or wine or even hot apple cider and looking into all the shops it has to offer like shops selling crafts, jewelry, ornaments, etc at wooden houses or booths. What’s interesting is that each booth is operated by an educational organization to raise money.

It’s popular for its beer garden whose enormous trees are all covered up with lights to brighten up your lives even more.

  • Address: 3401 S Sooner Rd, Oklahoma City, OK 73165, United States
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9. Garrison, North Dakota

9. Garrison, North Dakota

Located north of Lake Sakakawea is considered the Christmas Capital of North Dakota. It’s popularly known for its Dickens Village Festival inspired by Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. Unfortunately, the Festival was canceled for 2020 so finger’s crossed for the 2021 festival. Before the pandemic, the village transformed into a Victorian-era with a lot to explore and discover including food and vendor shops.

Many people come here for the sole purpose of shopping but while you’re at it don’t forget to ride the double-decker bus called “Queen Elizabus” and the street parade at dusk.

10. Georgetown Christmas Market, Colorado

10. Georgetown Christmas Market, Colorado

10th on the list of best Christmas markets in the US is Georgetown Christmas Market. The film Christmas Gift was filmed in this historic town in the 1980s and has still not lost its charm.

It takes place during the first two weeks of December with the classic European-style festivities. A perfect winter town for the holiday season where you can shop and enjoy homemade jellies, spiced wines, scented candles that smell like Christmas and spice, and everything nice and so much more.

 11. Greenville, South Carolina

 11. Greenville, South Carolina
Credit: Visit Greenville SC

The market here has so much to offer starting from unique hand-made crafts that include intricate items like pillows and linens, holiday basketry, and a holiday fair known to have the largest art and craft selection and a plethora of gift items to choose from.

 12. Christmas Village in Philadelphia

Christmas Village in Philadelphia
Credit: The Green Cities

If you’re looking for an authentic European Christmas market then this is the place to be. Many shops are dotted around the world-famous Robert Indiana sculpture and sell all kinds of goods and wine to wash down the food with. Music and dance performances make this market more lively than most and if you keep exploring you might see Santa Claus too! Carnival rides and ice skating makes shopping here even more enjoyable.

 13. Leavenworth Christmas Market

 13. Leavenworth Christmas Market
Credit: Levenworth

One of the best places for Christmas shopping in the Pacific North West. It comprises German architecture-themed pubs and hotels.

It’s been famous for its Christmas Lights Festival since 1966 and has a gingerbread man factory that is a sight to behold. The nutcracker museum, Christmas caroling, and winters mean mountains get plenty of snow for skiing which makes it all the more entertaining.

14. Christmas Village, Baltimore

14. Christmas Village, Baltimore
Credit: Baltimore Christmas

You can witness Christmas vibes that are the best of both worlds i.e. traditional wooden booths and festival tents. It is held at Westshore Park and caters to all your wishes be European food or art and craft and beverages. Don’t you dare miss out on the Inner Harbor Tree Lighting Ceremony?

 15. Savannah Christmas Market

 15. Savannah Christmas Market
Credit: Connect Savannah

Even though there is unpredictable weather here in December. it doesn’t stop this city from having one of the best Christmas markets in the US.

This Christmas market facing the Savannah river is all glammed up in December and is no less than a paradise. Don’t believe me? Then do visit this place this year between November to January provided COVID-19 doesn’t shut this market down.

Boat parades, lighting ceremonies, fireworks. There are many shops to dive into when it comes to clothes, accessories, ornaments, etc. are what attract many people to visit this scenic and magical marketplace.

I hope this list of best Christmas markets in the US helps you make your Christmas shopping fun and worth remembering.

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