While Nuremberg might be home to one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world, the Christkindl tradition has taken hold in the U.S. and produces some truly festive results. If you can’t make it to the best Christmas markets in Germany this year, that doesn’t take you out of the al-fresco holiday market game altogether. The 50 states work hard to produce enough Bavarian charm to host holiday markets that are classic and charming in their own right. And while the American holiday markets history may not rival the German markets’ long-standing history, their Bavarian-esque feeling can certainly compare to some of the best Christmas markets in Europe.
If a European winter break isn’t in the cards this year, here are nine holiday markets in the U.S. well worth visiting.
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Christkindlmarkt, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
A Pennsylvania holiday institution, families flock to Bethlehem for the ice sculptures, live holiday music, and sweet treats that have all become synonymous with the December holidays. With upwards of 150 booths, the shopping possibilities are seemingly endless—you’ll want to leave plenty of time to sift through all numerous sections of the market.
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Downtown Holiday Market, Washington D.C.
D.C.’s Downtown Holiday Market opens November 22 and runs for 31 continuous days—with the exception of Thanksgiving Day. The 2019 spectacle will be the 15th annual market, and you can find the market in front of the National Portrait Gallery, between 7th and 9th streets. In addition to shopping, make sure you peruse the work of more than 180 artists who exhibit art on a rotating basis within the market.
MarkEYE/Courtesy The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, Daly City, California
Daly City transforms during the holiday season, bringing an atmosphere reminiscent of the best Christmas markets in Europe. There are live performances that bring Dickens to life, spirited events, and inviting Victorian-style tearooms. This year, the fair looks forward to celebrating Queen Victoria’s 200th birthday. Their 20th annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair runs from November 23 to December 22, 2019.
Courtesy German American Chamber of Commerce
Christkindl Market, Denver
The vendors at Christkindl Market Denver have classic holiday offerings and eclectic Colorado gifts—there is something here for everyone’s palette. Whether you’re after cashmere scarves, plant-based beauty products, or glass ornaments, you’ll find it all on Denver’s 16th Street mall. Beyond the shopping, one of the market’s biggest claims to fame is their live music offerings every single day the market is open.
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Christkindlmarket, Chicago
The market kicks off in mid-November with a Grand Opening Ceremony featuring a traditional recitation from the Christkind, a traditional German fairy-like figure who visits the market to share in the holiday joy. Wander the market sipping Glühwein (mulled wine) while exploring the market, or bring your children by the kinder club to partake in a cheer-filled scavenger hunt. The main Christkindlmarket, which heads into its 24th year in 2019, is in Daley Plaza, though they also do a Christkindlmarket at Wrigleyville.
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Christkindlmarkt, Alpine Helen, Georgia
If you’re aching for the delicacies served at the best Christmas markets in Germany, you may be surprised to find them within the 50 states. Sure enough, they’re serving up classic German snacks in Alpine Helen, Georgia for the first two weekends of December this year at their eighth annual Christkindlmarkt.
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Union Square Holiday Market, New York City
The market at Union Square makes an appearance every holiday season—and has done so since 1994. The red-and-white tents are all but a December guarantee. Some of the wares you’ll find might include ornaments, clothes, jewelry, and art, some of which are made with love within the five boroughs. If the open-air market gets too chilly, grab a hot beverage and visit the market’s warming station. This year, it’s open from November 21 to December 24.
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Christkindlmarkt, Leavenworth, Washington
Front Street Park plays host to a Bavarian Christkindlmarkt each year—and it only runs for three days. This year, Leavenworth will be decked out November 29, November 30, and December 1 to host a lantern parade, serve Bavarian fare that taste as though they’re straight from the best Christmas markets in Germany, and sell crafts made by local artisans.
