You don’t need a passport or a transatlantic flight to soak up the festive Old World charm of a European Christmas market. All across the U.S., you’ll find holiday markets serving up steaming mugs of Glühwein, rows of handcrafted gifts, and the kind of twinkling, storybook atmosphere you’d expect in a German, Dutch, or Scandinavian village. Here are my top picks for this year’s best Christmas markets that bring a touch of Europe to your winter travels in the United States.
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1. Carmel Christkindlmarkt
Carmel, Indiana
Founded in 2017, the nonprofit Carmel Christkindlmarkt draws almost half a million visitors each year to Carter Green in Hamilton County, Indiana. Open from November 22 through December 24, 2025, the market hosts German woodworkers and glassblowers and other artisans selling their wares from traditional wooden huts.
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Festive foods and beverages are easy to find, including Swiss-German raclette sandwiches and authentic Ditsch German pretzels. Make time for a spin around the outdoor ice rink and to admire the 33-foot-tall traditional Glühwein Pyramid. New free shuttle service will be available on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the 2025 market season to make parking for the event easier.
Where to stay: Hotel Carmichael, Autograph Collection puts you literal steps away from the market, offering a boutique hotel vibe and a prime location in the heart of Carmel City Center and along the Monon Trail.
2. Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
When you’re known as “the Christmas City,” it’s not surprising to be the locale of a much-lauded Christmas market. Now in its 33rd year and held on weekends from November 14 through December 21, 2025, Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem offers lots of German-style holiday cheer.
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Shop for Moravian glass stars, nutcrackers and ornaments from Germany’s Käthe Wohlfahrt, and other crafts and collectibles by local and regional artisans. Then watch ice sculptors at work, make some holiday crafts of your own, and pay a visit to Old St. Nicholas.
Where to stay: Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit at Historic Hotel Bethlehem, where you’ll find more than 25 uniquely decorated Christmas trees, two life-sized nutcrackers, a gingerbread house modeled after the hotel, and other festive touches.
3. Texas Christkindl Market
Arlington, Texas
A local tradition since 2011, the Texas Christkindl Market was inspired by the relationship between Arlington and its German sister city, Bad Königshofen. Open this year between November 21 and December 23, 2025 (with a small break around Thanksgiving), the German-style Christmas market showcases artisans from around the world (including exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt holiday merchandise) in a festively decorated setting on the North Plaza of Globe Life Field. Along with seasonal eats, there’s a Holiday Train for the kids, plus live entertainment from area schools and traditional German music groups.
Where to stay: Check in to the Loews Arlington Hotel for easy access to the Christmas market and a slew of fun family-friendly amenities like firepits, a kids club, and an Italian restaurant with two “Texas-sized” wood-fired pizza ovens.
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4. Christkindlmarket Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Inspired by the 16th-century Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, Christkindlmarket Chicago returns for its 29th season in the Windy City at Daley Plaza. Open daily from November 21 through December 24, 2025, the popular annual event features merchants galore as well as holiday musical performances throughout the Christmas season. While you’re shopping, the adults can sip on imported German hot spiced wine and everyone can sample stuffed pretzels, pierogis, and other German fare.
Where to stay: A partner hotel offering special deals for Christkindlmarket visitors, The LaSalle Chicago, Autograph Collection is only four blocks from the market with spacious rooms averaging 400 square feet and lots of high-end amenities.
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5. Solvang Julefest
Solvang, California
Celebrate the holiday season in Danish style at the Solvang Julefest, which features an open-air, European-style Maker’s Market on Wednesdays in December. Find seasonal treats, crafters selling holiday gifts, and lots of Christmas cheer. The Julefest celebration takes place from November 28, 2025, through January 4, 2026, and also includes live musical performances, photos with Santa, and a 10-minute light and music display on the hour every night.
Where to stay: Book a room at the recently remodeled, Scandinavian-style boutique hotel The Landsby and you’ll be right in the heart of Solvang and an easy stroll from Solvang Park, where the Julefest takes place.
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6. Holland Kerstmarkt
Holland, Michigan
Speculaas cookies, stroopwafels, stollen: The food alone is worth a trip to the Holland Kerstmarkt. But you don’t want to miss out on all the other fun at this Dutch-inspired Christmas market in this town near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, not too far from Grand Rapids. Vendors set up on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and the weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas for some holiday shopping, accompanied by carolers, dog sled demos, and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Where to stay: Courtyard Holland Downtown has modern rooms, a fitness center and indoor pool, a fresh new lobby with a spot for coffee or cocktails, and a convenient location for exploring downtown Holland on foot.
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7. Denver Christkindlmarket
Denver, Colorado
Grab a hot chocolate, Bavarian-style bier, or traditional Glühwein to enjoy while strolling the Denver Christkindlmarket, taking place November 21 to December 23, 2025, at a new location at Tivoli Quad on Auraria Campus. More than 40 vendors from Colorado and around the world will be selling gifts, crafts, and treats from oh-so-charming wooden huts at this German-style holiday market. There’s live entertainment throughout the season, and you might even get the chance to meet St. Nikolaus or Krampus.
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Where to stay: Roomy suites with kitchenettes, complimentary daily breakfast, an indoor pool, and a convenient location make Staybridge Suites Denver Downtown a great option for families during the holiday season.
8. Marché de Noel: Macon Christmas Market
Macon, Georgia
The first-ever Marché de Noel: Macon Christmas Market will take place December 5 through 14, 2025, at the city’s Cherry Street Plaza. Inspired by Macon’s sister city relationship with Mâcon, France, the market will draw from French, Bavarian, and German traditions and offer everything from a bier garden and Glühwein to festive music and vendors in charmingly decorated wooden chalets. The inaugural market takes place in coordination with the Macon Christmas Light Extravaganza, where more than one million lights move in time to holiday music.
Where to stay: The 94-room Hotel Forty Five, Macon, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel sits at a unique 45-degree angle in downtown Macon and makes it easy to explore the city.
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9. Christkindl Markt
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Now in its third year, Christkindl Markt transforms the Grand Rapids Downtown Market into a European-style Christmas village from November 19 to December 23, 2025. You’ll find more than 60 artisan and food vendors offering ornaments, candles, pottery, and other crafts plus Glühwein, raclette, bratwurst, and other holiday food and drink. Reserve a private Alpenglobe or some time on the curling sheet to add to the festive fun.
Where to stay: Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown is offering a free shuttle between the hotel and the Christkindl Markt; an indoor pool and free dining for kids under 12 at on-site restaurant Burger Theory add to the appeal for families.
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10. Cambria Christmas Market
Cambria, California
Taking place most dates between November 28 and December 31, 2025, the annual Cambria Christmas Market features open-air stalls selling Glühwein, traditional German foods, nutcrackers and glass-blown ornaments from Germany, and other handmade gifts. After you’re done shopping, you can visit with Santa, take a holiday train ride, sit by a firepit, enjoy live music, and admire more than three million Christmas lights.
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Where to stay: The market is located on the grounds of Cambria Pines Lodge, which offers family- and pet-friendly rooms and is surrounded by 25 acres of wooded grounds and gardens.
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