The Best Christmas Market in Every State
Updated: Feb. 14, 2024
With the holidays just around the corner, where better to get in the spirit (and check some gifts off your list) than at your nearest Christkindlmarket? We found the merriest European-style Christmas market in your neck of the woods.
Alabama
Christmas Village Festival, Birmingham
Popular with locals and visitors alike, the Christmas Village Festival is an annual shopping extravaganza at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. Come for the day or make a weekend of it. (If you’re a serious shopper, consider VIP day, when you get the run of the place before everyone else.)
Alaska
Christmas Arts & Crafts Emporium, Anchorage
Each year, the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center plays host to a one-day market selling a variety of Alaskan-made and imported gifts, arts and crafts, furs, and food.
Arizona
Christkindlmarkt, Cave Creek
You might just spot Christkindl or St. Nicholas while you shop at this traditional German Christmas market. Fill up on all sorts of festive German food and drinks, such as gingerbread cookies, roasted chestnuts and hot mulled wine.
Arkansas
Arkansas Craft Guild Christmas Showcase Extravaganza, Little Rock
First held in 1978, the Arkansas Craft Guild Christmas Showcase Extravaganza features quality traditional and contemporary art and fine handcrafts, plus gourmet foods. You can find it in the Statehouse Convention Center downtown.
California
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, San Francisco
Enter the world of Charles Dickens’ Victorian London and enjoy a theatrical experience as stories unfold around you. At the Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, you can mingle with chimney sweeps and street urchins, Queen Victoria, Alice and the Mad Hatter, and of course, Father Christmas. Eat your fill of traditional English fare like Yorkshire pudding, savory meat pies, scones and hot roasted chestnuts. Hundreds of shops sell gifts, too.
Colorado
Christkindl Market, Denver
Enjoy traditional German music and dance and meet Christkindl, the age-old European Christmas gift-bringer. The market, held at Skyline Park, features handmade toys, Christmas ornaments, crystalware and other gifts. Fill up on German treats such as stollen, bratapfel (baked apples) and lebkuchen.
Connecticut
Hartford Saengerbund, Newington
This traditional market at the Hartford Saengerbund Club features handmade crafts and works of art by the finest artisans, and delicious German food. Stay for the live music and performances of medieval Christmas customs.
Delaware
Winter Wonderfest, Lewes
Open throughout the holiday season, the Festival of Cheer features a Light Spectacular. Check out the Christmas Village for carnival rides, a concert stage and Santa’s Workshop.
Florida
Miami Theater Center Holiday Bazaar, Miami Shores
Take center stage at the Miami Theater Center, which is transformed into a Christmas market for a couple of days in December. Jewelry, art and other gifts are available to buy while nibbling on sweet Christmas treats.
Georgia
Atlanta Christkindl Market, Atlanta
At this outdoor winter holiday festival held at Atlantic Station, your family can enjoy authentic German food and drinks and shop for holiday gifts before dropping in at Santa’s Cottage or stepping aboard the Snowball Express.
Hawaii
Season’s Best Craft and Gift Fair, Honolulu
Held over three days at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, the craft and gift fair offers treasures made by Hawaii’s finest artisans, from handbags to stocking stuffers.
Idaho
Twilight Christmas Market, Meridian
Warm yourself with mulled wine and craft beers while nibbling on fresh, seasonal food and holiday treats. Listen to live entertainment and browse for gifts among the hand-crafted items in the glittering indoor-outdoor twilight market at City Hall.
Illinois
Christkindlmarket, Chicago
One of the nation’s oldest German holiday markets, this Chicago institution held at Daley Plaza boasts more than a million visitors each year. Inspired by the 16th century Christkindlmarket in Nuremberg, Germany, the market has European traditions mixed with international and local delights. The Kinder Club runs activities for children, including a scavenger hunt and a life-size Advent calendar.
Indiana
Carmel Christkindlmarkt, Carmel
At this event on Center Green, children can see Santa and his reindeer and watch artists carve wooden animals. Skate around the city’s first outdoor ice rink, and shop for gifts and collectibles before stopping for a well-earned sweet treat.
Iowa
Christkindlmarket, Des Moines
Traditional German gifts such as cuckoo clocks, nutcrackers and other wooden handicrafts are the specialty at this Cowles Commons market. Visitors can watch the crafts being constructed, then purchase the freshly made products. Look for the impressive hand-blown, painted and straw ornaments.
Kansas
Kristkindl Markt, Brookside
Get your fill of German fare, then shop for handmade gifts and a quirky Christmas flea market. Round off your day at the market, sponsored by Country Club Congregational Church, with a little gingerbread house decoration, with proceeds going to charity.
Kentucky
Christmas Market at Michler’s, Lexington
This romantic Christmas market is set within a blooming greenhouse on E. Maxwell Street. It features plenty of locally made gifts to check off your list, such as jams, soaps, ceramics and jewelry. Watch the florists craft wreaths and decorate boxwoods, then take one home.
Louisiana
Christmas Marketplace Days, White Castle
Head to the Nottoway Plantation for one of the country’s most unique Christmas markets, which is held aboard the famed steamboat American Queen. Sparks will fly with fireworks and bonfires on the levee.
Maine
Season of Giving Art Sale, Kennebunk
Like its host, the Brick Store Museum on Main Street, this market is dedicated to highlighting local arts and entrepreneurs who are selling their handcrafted goods.
Maryland
Christmas Village, Baltimore
Among Maryland’s newest Christmas markets is its best. Held at West Shore Park in the Inner Harbor, the Christmas Village is an indoor-outdoor experience modeled after the famous Nuremberg Christkindlmarkt. Devour waffles and gingerbread while wandering the village, which is filled with traditional German-style wooden huts.
Massachusetts
Harvard Square Holiday Fair, Cambridge
One of the state’s oldest and most popular fairs, this one serves up great music and affordable handcrafted gifts.
Michigan
Holiday Kerstmarkt, Holland
The Dutch version of the German Christkindlmarkt, the Kerstmarkt honors this city’s Dutch heritage. Visitors come to the 8th Street Marketplace to shop and watch the Santa Claus Parade and Sinterklaas Eve procession.
Minnesota
European Christmas Market, St. Paul
Here’s a cultural event in the heart of the city (Union Depot East Plaza, to be exact). Find gifts and handcrafted items, including nutcrackers, beeswax candles, wool mittens and decorative glass.
Mississippi
Vintage Christmas Market, Laurel
Nearly 100 vendors descend onto Front Street, bringing vintage, antique and trendy handmade items to sell at this old-school-meets-new-school event. Get a snack from the on-site food trucks, then watch out for Santa.
Missouri
Christkindl Markt, Rolla
Boasting a program packed with a Christmas Parade, a living Nativity and plenty of music, the Christkindl Markt is the place to be if you’re in the spirit of giving. Many of the vendors are raising money for community causes, and the festival is working toward becoming environmentally sustainable.
Montana
Little Red Truck’s European Christmas Vintage Market, Missoula
Shop for an array of gifts in the comfort of the county fairgrounds’ heated barns. Take the kids along for free activities such as face painting, ornament making and appearances by the Man in Red.
Nebraska
A Very Vintage Christmas Market, Lincoln
If you love all things vintage, head to the Lancaster Event Center for antique and retro gifts as well as handmade items. (A non-perishable food donation to the Food Bank of Lincoln ensures a discount on admission.)
Nevada
Elko Christmas Bazaar, Elko
Vendors come from all around the Southwest with their handcrafted goods: furniture, jewelry, clothes, accessories and more. Santa will make an appearance at this event, held on Moren Way.
New Hampshire
Vintage Christmas, Portsmouth
A holiday parade and Christmas tree lighting open this annual event. Artisan crafts and holiday wares fill the 19th century brick storefronts, and apple cider and cookies are among the tasty treats available.
New Jersey
Weihnachtsmarkt, Lake Mohawk
New Mexico
Holiday Fair Craft and Plant Sale, Albuquerque
Shop your way through dozens of holiday-themed arts and crafts stalls, then check out the fresh Christmas wreaths, handmade centerpieces and gorgeous red poinsettias at this event at the Albuquerque Garden Center on Lomas Boulevard.
New York
Columbus Circle Holiday Market, New York City
Located at the southwest entrance to Central Park, this festive market features many stockings’ worth of unique Christmas gifts, such as artisan chocolates, handmade wooden puzzles and home accessories from local makers. Many items are locally sourced, organic or fair trade certified, or made from recycled items.
North Carolina
Christmas Village Christkindlmarkt, Charlotte
lebkuchen, a stop at the German bakery is a must.
North Dakota
Countdown to Christmas Bazaar, Minot
Support local businesses and crafters at this annual event at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds. Mondy from the Christmas Bake Sale goes toward purchasing gifts for children in need.
Ohio
Germania Christkindlmarkt, Cincinnati
Keep cozy as you wander the market stalls in heated tents at the Germania Society on West Kemper Road. Fill up on traditional German food, including pastries and delicious dill pickle soup, and wash it all down with a mug of German beer. There’s plenty of fun for the kids, too, such as a lantern parade, petting zoo, caroling and carriage rides.
Oklahoma
German-American Society of Tulsa Christkindlmarkt, Tulsa
The GAST Center on 15th and Terrace turns into a Christmas wonderland for good shopping (check out the authentic ornaments!) and festive eats. There’s a spielstube for the children, where they can listen to Christmas stories and do activities, and maybe even spot St. Nicholas and Christkindl.
Oregon
German Holiday Market, Beaverton
At Christmastime, the Beaverton Library on SW 5th Street hosts a tented holiday market with performers, German food and vendors selling German classics such as advent calendars, nutcrackers, and local and imported handmade holiday decorations. (There’s a tree lighting, too!)
Rhode Island
Christkindlmarkt: A German Christmas Bazaar, Pawtucket
Eat and drink traditional German fare and sift through the gifts, crafts, ornaments and clothes on sale. Stop by the Alpine-themed model railroad, too. You can find it all at the German Hall on Carter Avenue.
South Carolina
Christkindlmarkt, Charleston
South Dakota
Christmas at the Capitol, Pierre
A South Dakota tradition for more than 35 years, this event is a Christmas tree extravaganza, with about 100 of them creating a winter wonderland. Get your South Dakota gifts at the Heritage Center and pick up a treat on Pie Day.
Tennessee
Christmas Village, Nashville
One of the largest Christmas markets in America, this pop-up village at the fairgrounds features 250-plus vendors and hosts about 30,000 shoppers from across the country.
Texas
Texas Christkindl Market, Arlington
Wander through the market stalls and down the market lane, which oozes old-time holiday charm. The market is now part of the new Enchant, a festival that also includes the world’s largest Christmas light maze, a skating pond and Santa’s Palace. Find all of this winter cheer at Globe Life Park.
Utah
Christkindlmarkt, Salt Lake City
Vermont
Vermont Farmers Market Christmas Holiday Fair, Rutland
Vendors from the Vermont Farmers Market join craft and food merchants to create this annual fair at the Holiday Inn. Goods are reasonably priced and include Christmas wreaths, fabric, wood and glass creations, baked goods, and specialty local food.
Virginia
Lovettsville Christkindlmarkt, Lovettsville
Browse the stalls of crafters with gifts aplenty, then say hello to an authentically dressed St. Nick. Need a snack? Listen to live music while sampling a selection of artisan sausages, brought to you by the Lovettsville Game Protective Association on South Berlin Pike.
Washington
Christkindlmarkt, Leavenworth
West Virginia
Christmas Village Festival, Huntington
Make plans to stroll through the enchanted evening market at Heritage Farm Museum and Village on Harvey Road. Enjoy the live nativity and a visit with Santa while munching on fresh baked goods. You’ll have no trouble finding your Christmas gifts among the array of handmade items.
Wisconsin
Old World Christmas Market, Elkhart Lake
The picturesque Christmas market is held on the grounds of the Osthoff Resort. European gifts abound, including Russian nesting dolls, Turkish pashminas, Estonia woollens, and German hand-crafted smokers and nutcrackers. The Old World Food Court gives guests a place to rest while eating delicious German fare.
Wyoming
Santa’s Workshop, Evanston
A Boy Scout initiative brings a day of fun, food and booths to find the perfect Christmas gifts. Even Santa will be at the Evanston Machine Shop for this event of the year!
Originally Published: November 28, 2017
