From the Middle Ages to today, traditional Christmas markets offer families a chance to buy decorations and gifts, as well as sample delicious holiday fare. Make one of these Christmas destinations a new tradition for your family this holiday season!
Denver’s Christkindl Market is Colorado’s only traditional German Christmas market and features nightly live entertainment. There are even special days like Krampusnacht and Canine Christmas… and an Ugly Sweater night that’s sure to make kids of all ages laugh in delight.
Key Information: Market hours are 11-7 most days – Market opens November 18 – No designated event parking
Good To Know: Kids love the hot chocolate available at the Cocoa Haus, while parents can enjoy some delicious mulled wine.
>>> Discover tons of kid-friendly places and experiences in Colorado, here.
2. Carmel Christkindlmarkt – Carmel, Indiana
Carmel’s Christkindlmarkt will remind you of the beautiful Christmas markets in Europe. This market offers traditional Christmas decorations and even has an ice rink. The Carmel Christkindlmarkt is also home to the unique Glühwein Pyramid, a structure based on a giant version of the traditional “Weihnachtspyramide,” a traditional German Christmas candle holder.
Key Information: Open Thursday-Sunday – Market opens November 19 – Free parking
Good To Know: The market doesn’t have an entrance fee, but there is a rink fee for ice skating. You are welcome to bring your own skates, or you can rent some.
Step into the world of A Christmas Carol at the Dickens Christmas Fair! You’ll feel like you’re really on the streets of Victorian London as you listen to traditional caroling performances and interact with costumed performers. Daly City is home to one of the most special Christmas markets. This year, 2022, is the fair’s first year back since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it promises to be an amazing event for all ages.
Key Information: Tickets start at $25 for adults – Kids under 5 are free – Fair opens November 19.
Good To Know: Victorian-era costumes are welcomed, but not required.
>>> Find more holiday fun for the whole family in California, here.
Bustling Union Square Park in downtown NYC turns into a winter wonderland every year, bringing Christmas cheer to families from all over. Home to over 160 vendors selling handicrafts, holiday gifts, and delicious food, the Union Square Holiday Market is fun for the whole family.
Key Information: Market runs from November 17-December 24 – Street parking available – Free admission
Good To Know: There’s a movie theatre right across the street from the Holiday Market– you can make a great family evening when you visit the market and then see a fun family movie together afterward.
Just like a beautiful Christmas market in Germany, Leavenworth’s Christkindlmarkt gleams with old-fashioned charm. Leavenworth is home to a Bavarian-styled city hall and charming downtown area, and the town’s traditions and history make it very popular for Christmas activities.
Key Information: Market is only open on Thanksgiving weekend – Open 10:00-7:00 on Friday and Saturday – Market closes early on Sunday
Good To Know: This year’s Christkindlmarkt is taking place outside in Front Street Park, with limited indoor vendor space.
One of the biggest Christmas markets in the US, Chicago’s Christmas market offers three locations and sees over one million visitors each year. Don’t miss the Christmas market opening festivities and lantern parade!
Key Information: Free admission – Market opens November 18 – Open from 11:00-8:00 most days
Good To Know: Kids can pick up free Kinder Club passports with riddles and activities at any of the three locations.
Houston’s annual Nutcracker Market celebrates and supports the Houston Ballet, and features fashion shows and lots of unique items. This Christmas market is a Houston tradition and is one of the most popular holiday events in the area.
Key Information: Admission is $18 – No strollers allowed – Open November 10-13
Good To Know: If you’re visiting Christmas markets with a baby and want to visit the Nutcracker Market, changing stations are located in all restrooms and designated mother’s rooms are located just off the lobby.
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Christmas carols fill the air at this beautiful small-town Christmas market located just an hour outside of Denver.
Key Information: Market happens the first two weekends of December – No admission fee – Tree lighting ceremony the day after Thanksgiving
Good To Know: For more Christmas cheer, visit the classic shops on 6th Street.
Christmas lights twinkle over four music stages, street performers, and nearly 200 vendors at this annual Texas tradition. Don’t miss the Christmas market opening “Willkommen” ceremony!
Key Information: Market is open December 9-11 – Free parking shuttle – Free admission
Good To Know: There’s a carnival with a Ferris wheel, petting zoo, pony rides, and much more for kids!
>>> Find more things to do in Texas with kids, here.
10. Old World Christmas Market – Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
This traditional Christmas market at the Osthoff Resort features incredible German food and Bavarian handicrafts. Stroll and sip a warm beverage from a boot-shaped mug, or shop for a one-of-a-kind gift while snacking on schnitzel. There’s so much to see and do!
Key Information: Admission is $7 – Kids under 14 are free – Open from December 2-11
Good To Know: Kids love having breakfast with Santa Claus or brunch with St. Nicholas… and a live reindeer!
St. Paul’s Christmas market is home to lots of classic German traditions mixed with fun new traditions. This Christmas market is great for the whole family and is sure to start some beloved new traditions for you.
Key Information: Open weekends after Thanksgiving to December 19 – Lots of available free parking – Free admission
Good To Know: There are several specialty kid-focused boutiques; you can get a lot of Christmas shopping done here!
The Germania Society’s Christkindlmarkt is Cincinnati’s oldest and most authentic German Christmas market. You can find traditional German products like steins, blown glass ornaments, nutcrackers, cuckoo clocks, and much more! There’s an impressive array of traditional German food on offer as well, including the market’s famous pastries and homemade cabbage rolls.
Key Information: Market runs from November 4-6 – $5 admission for adults, kids under 12 are free – Cashless payment only
Good To Know: There’s a petting zoo for the kids, as well as familiar Christmas faces like Santa and Mrs. Claus… and some traditional German characters to meet, like Krampus!
Atlanta’s Christkindl Market in the charming Buckhead Village district is home to lots of vendors and a festive atmosphere that makes it the perfect place to spend time with your family. Enjoy delicious treats and make holiday memories together.
Key Information: The market is open from November 25 to December 24 – Free admission – Paid parking available
Good To Know: Pictures with Santa will be available as long as the market is open.
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The WeihnachtsMarkt at the Harmony Museum features authentic Bavarian traditions and entertainment like horse-drawn carriage rides, wine and moonshine tasting for parents, and demonstrations of dancing and craft production. The museum’s historic properties are open for touring, and your family will have so much fun learning about Christmas traditions dating back hundreds of years!
Key Information: The market is held on November 12 and 13 – Admission is $7 for adults and kids under 6 are free – Free visitor parking along the side of the museum
Good To Know: Don’t miss the Weavers Cabin! Just one block down from the WeihnachtsMarkt, you can see demonstrations of weaving and spinning, and kids can meet and pet friendly sheep and Angora goats. You can even weave your own mug mat for a small fee–it’s a great activity for kids and grownups alike.
>>> Discover local recommendations from parents, for things to do with kids in Pennsylvania, here.
15. Christmas Village – Bernville, Pennsylvania
For 75 years, Koziar’s Christmas Village has been dazzling visitors with over one million Christmas lights and an unmatched festive atmosphere. When you visit this huge walk-through Christmas village, you’ll see beautiful Nativity scenes, an old-fashioned toymaker’s shop, Santa’s post office, and much more. Koziar’s Christmas Village is home to time-honored traditions– what memories will your family make here?
Key Information: Open Thanksgiving-January 1st – Admission is $12 for adults – Free parking
Good To Know: Santa Claus is present every night until December 23 for pictures.
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The Christkindl Market at the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum is home to a juried craft show and vendors that sell items you simply can’t get anywhere else. Kids will love storytime with Santa at his charming cottage!
Key Information: Market runs from November 11-November 13 – Admission to be determined – Market hours are 11:00-6:00 – Parking is by the admissions section.
Good To Know: After the market, stop by the Festival of Trees to enjoy seeing over one hundred beautifully decorated Christmas trees.
Washington, DC’s Downtown Holiday Market is located right across from the National Portrait Gallery and is a great place to visit after spending the day absorbing DC’s cultural treasures. The market is full of interesting vendors and hosts live music from some of the region’s best rock, jazz, blues, country, world, and soul musicians.
Key Information: The market is open from 12:00 to 8:00 – Starts November 18 – Valet parking and street parking are available
Good To Know: Vendors accept market dollars. You can pre-buy these gift certificates for your kids and let them do their own shopping!
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Helen is a little piece of Bavaria on the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. Buildings from the town hall to the downtown shops all look as though they’ve been plucked right out of the Black Forest. Its annual Christmas market embraces German traditions and invites visitors to explore this charming alpine-inspired town with a cup of cocoa or mulled wine.
Key Information: The market is held the last weekend in November and the first weekend in December – Free admission – Free parking
Good To Know: There’s lots of fun family adventure to be had around Helen, and the climate means you can zip line or ride the local mountain coaster before or after your market visit.
When you visit Yorktown’s Christmas Market, you’ll get to experience colonial-era flair when the town crier opens the market to the tune of fifes and drums. Over a hundred vendors sell handmade crafts and artisan goods that are the perfect gift for anybody in your life.
Key Information: Free admission – Market is open December 3 and 4 – Market hours are 11:00-4:00 – Ample parking is available throughout the town.
Good To Know: The market’s opening festivities begin at 10:00 on December 3; in addition to the fife and drum band, Santa Claus himself rides in on a vintage fire truck. Your kids will definitely want to see that!
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