Famous throughout Europe, Christmas markets have been enjoyed by Europeans for hundreds of years, with visitors traveling from all over to experience their magic.
In recent years, this tradition has spread to America, with cities around the United States setting up Christmas markets to celebrate and prepare for the holiday season. Every market offers something unique and different, from recreated German markets to mulled wine and live music.
To enjoy the holiday spirit stateside, you can head to one of these impressive American Christmas markets and try some mulled wine, experience the magic, and purchase holiday gifts from wooden stalls with a cup of hot cocoa in hand. Here’s our guide to 10 of the best Christmas markets to experience in the USA.
1) Kerstmarkt – Holland, Michigan
Just 30 miles from Grand Rapids, Holland was founded by Dutch Americans in the 1840s, and many Dutch Americans still live there today.
Since its first Christmas market in 1997, the Kerstmarkt has allowed locals to sell and buy local artisan and specialty products. Kerstmarket, which means Christmas market in Dutch, strives to represent and thrive on its European heritage, to recreate a typical German market with wooden booths and Dutch delicacies such as stroopwafels and concerts and carolers dressed in Dickens-era attire.
Where: 8th Street Market Place, 150 West 8th Street, Holland
Market Dates: Mid-November to Mid-December
Find out more: Kerstmarkt
Where To Stay In Holland
Luxury Holland Hotels
- Haworth Hotel at Hope College – This hotel has 50 rooms, including rooms with queen beds and king beds, sleeping up to four people comfortably. This hotel is also located in the center of Holland, with easy access to the city’s attractions.
- Tulyp, Tapestry Collection by Hilton – This hotel is within walking distance of Hope College, New Holland Brewing and the Kerstmarkt.
Mid-Range Holland Hotels
- Courtyard by Marriott Holland Downtown – Within walking distance of the Kerstmarkt and other city attractions, this hotel is a great city center option. The hotel itself has a bar, a gym and two onsite restaurants.
- Holiday Inn Express Holland – This hotel has 118 individually furnished rooms with premium comforts and multiple configurations, keeping up to six people, with two queen beds and a double sofa bed in one room.
Budget Holland Hotels
- White Pines Inn and Suites of Holland – Located on West Shore Drive, this hotel is within walking distance of the Dutch Village and the Holland Area Arts Council. The hotel also has a swimming pool and 80 rooms with premium comforts.
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott Holland – This hotel consists of 40 rooms, including king rooms, queen rooms and rooms which can sleep up to five people, making it ideal for a girl’s getaway or a family trip.
2) Tomball German Fest – Tomball, Texas
Tomball German Fest is the perfect mix between a Christmas market and a festival. Taking place over one weekend in December, the festival has over 150 street vendors, with four live music stages and over 30 entertainers.
As one of the largest festivals in the surrounding Houston area, this festival attracts people from all around the state and further afield. The three-day festival is inspired by German heritage with dance acts, Christmas decorations and German souvenirs.
Where: 201 S.Elm Street, Tomball
Market Dates: December
Find out more: Tomball German Fest
Where To Stay In Houston
Luxury Houston Hotels
- 1950s Cottage – This two-bedroom cottage is located in Tomball, close to the Tomball Museum Center and the festival.
- The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston – This luxury hotel in Uptown Houston has four onsite restaurants, an outdoor swimming pool and a spa. The hotel has rooms with city views, residential suites, luxury rooms and classic suites.
Mid-Range Houston Hotels
- Residence Inn Houston Tomball – This hotel offers rooms with kitchens and rooms which sleep up to five people. The hotel has a tennis court, an outdoor swimming pool and free self-parking.
- Maple Creek Bed and Breakfast – This bed and breakfast is located in Tomball and has an outdoor swimming pool, free parking, free wifi and a game room. All guestrooms are unique and have thoughtful premium touches throughout.
Budget Houston Hotels
- Hilton Garden Inn Houston – Located close to the Woodlands Mall, this hotel has an onsite restaurant with a happy hour, a bar and a gym.
- Courtyard by Marriott Houston Northwest – This suburban hotel is located northwest of Houston and has a coffee shop, an outdoor swimming pool, an onsite bistro and a library. The 126 rooms are available in multiple configurations, including rooms that sleep up to four people.
3) Christkindlmarkt – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem, or The Christmas City as it’s otherwise known, is a big Christmas destination. The yearly Christkindlmarkt covers 10 acres, with shopping stalls, live music and great food options.
Every year, over 100 vendors come from all over the country to participate in the market, with everything from German treats like strudel to modern favorites and everything in between. The market has received annual recognition as one of the best holiday markets in the United States.
Where: PNC Plaza at SteelStacks, 645 East First Street
Market Dates: Weekends in Mid-November to Mid-December
Find out more: Christkindlmarkt
Where To Stay In Bethlehem
Luxury Bethlehem Hotels
- Hotel Bethlehem – Located just a short walk from Historic Hotel Bethlehem and the Historic Bethlehem Visitors Center. The hotel offers rooms with city views and rooms which sleep up to four people.
- Wilbur Mansion – This luxury hotel offers premier suites and deluxe and superior rooms. The unique hotel offers a piece of history close to Wind Creek Bethlehem and has complimentary self-parking.
Mid-Range Bethlehem Hotels
- Hyatt Place Bethlehem – Located within walking distance of the Historic Bethlehem Visitor Center and the Historic Hotel Bethlehem, this hotel is a great location to explore the city. The hotel has 124 rooms, including king rooms, queen rooms and rooms which sleep up to six people.
- Hampton Inn and Suites Bethlehem – Located in Bethlehem in the business district close to the Bethlehem Golf Club and the Steamboat National Historic Site. This hotel has an indoor swimming pool, a coffee shop and a garden.
Budget Bethlehem Hotels
- Hilton Garden Inn Allentown – This hotel has an indoor swimming pool, complimentary self-parking and free breakfast. Located in Allentown, this hotel is close to the Bethlehem Golf Club and Allentown Lehigh Canal Trailhead.
- Staybridge Suites Allentown – Located in Allentown, just a short drive from Bethlehem, this hotel is a great place to stay to visit the market. The hotel offers two-bedroom suites sleeping eight people and one-bedroom suites sleeping four.
4) Christmas Village – Philadelphia, PA
Modeled after the traditional Christmas markets in Germany, the Christmas Village offers the City of Philadelphia a great place to do their holiday shopping. The authentic open-air style market is located at LOVE Park and attracts large numbers of visitors every year.
Visitors can purchase gifts from all around the world, traditional holiday foods, and beer and wine tastings. The market happens in conjunction with the Made in Philadephia Holiday Market, the Ice Rink at Dilworth Park and the Christmas Tree on North Broad Street.
Where: LOVE Park 1500 Arch Street, Philadelphia
Market Dates: Mid-November to December 24th
Find out more: Christmas Village
Where To Stay In Philadelphia
Luxury Philadelphia Hotels
- The Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia – This luxury hotel is just a short walk from the Pennsylvania Convention Center and the Reading Terminal Market. The hotel offers club rooms with king beds, superior rooms, deluxe rooms and luxury suites.
- Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia – This luxury spa hotel is just a short walk to Rittenhouse Square and the city’s major attractions. The hotel offers rooms with views of landmarks, city views and skyline views.
Mid-Range Philadelphia Hotels
- Le Meridien Philadelphia – This pet-friendly hotel is connected to the Philadephia Convention Center and the Reading Terminal Market.
- Aloft Philadephia Downtown – Located Downtown, this Beaux Arts hotel has a 24-hour gym, a bar and a coffee shop.
Budget Philadelphia Hotels
- Marriott Philadelphia West – This suburban hotel in West Conshohocken has a gym, an indoor swimming pool, a grocery store and an onsite restaurant.
- Chestnut Hill Hotel – Located in Chestnut Hill, this hotel has three restaurants, a hair salon and a bar. It has 36 rooms, including king and queen rooms and king suites.
5) Christkindlesmarket – Chicago, Illinois
This Christmas market is so popular that it now has three locations around the city. Christkindlmarket is inspired by 16th-century Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, with Christmas ornaments, handmade wooden nutcrackers, hot species wine, and handmade gifts.
The admission-free market has a cozy atmosphere with the smell of roasted nuts, fresh pretzels, bratwurst and hotel wine in every corner.
Where:
- 50 W Washington St, Chicago
- Gallagher Way, 3635 N Clark St, Chicago
- RiverEdge Park, 360 N Broadway, Aurora
Market Dates: Mid-November to December 24th
Find out more: Christkindlesmarket
Where To Stay In Chicago
Luxury Chicago Hotels
- Langham Hotel – This 5-star hotel has 316 individually furnished rooms, including suites with four guests and club view rooms. Some rooms also have river and city views.
- The St Regis Chicago – Located in downtown Chicago and within walking distance of Millennium Park and Michigan Avenue, this hotel offers a luxury place to stay in the city’s heart.
Mid-Range Chicago Hotels
- The Peninsula Chicago – Located in Downtown Chicago, this hotel is within walking distance of bars and restaurants and popular tourist attractions like the Millennium Park and Chicago Riverwalk.
- Westin Chicago River North – Located close to the Chicago Riverwalk and Michigan Avenue, this hotel is an excellent base for visiting the market. The hotel has an onsite restaurant and bar, with easy access to other great bars and restaurants in the city.
Budget Chicago Hotels
- Virgin Hotels Chicago – Complete with two restaurants and a nightclub, this hotel is just a short walk from the riverfront.
- Chicago Athletic Association Hotel – This hotel is just two minutes from Millennium Park, with many rooms overlooking the park. The 4.5-star hotel has a rooftop terrace, a coffee shop and two onsite restaurants.
6) Christkindlmarkt – Carmel, Indiana
Winner of the USA Today’s Best Holiday Market for the last four years running, Christkindlmarkt has over 60 huts, German food and drink offerings and music performed by people worldwide.
Located just outside of Indianapolis, this market thrives on being as authentic as possible. From the Glühwein Pyramid, a tiered wooden structure with lights at the front entrance to vendors who fly to Germany to bring back specific types of breads to replicate.
Where: 10 Carter Green, Carmel, IN
Market Dates: Mid-November to December 24th
Find out more: Christkindlmarkt
Where To Stay In Indianapolis
Luxury Indianapolis Hotels
- Conrad Indianapolis – Located in Downtown Indianapolis, this hotel is connected to a shopping center close to the Eiteljorg Museum. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool with sun loungers, a spa and an onsite restaurant.
- Le Meridien Indianapolis – This pet-friendly hotel is an excellent base for exploring the Christkindlmarkt in Carmel. The hotel offers guests a relaxing stay with a full breakfast, an onsite restaurant and a coffee shop.
Mid-Range Indianapolis Hotels
- Omni Severin Hotel – A downtown Indianapolis hotel connected to the convention center and allows pets. The hotel features three restaurants for guests to enjoy.
- Bottleworks Hotel – Located in Downtown Indianapolis, this hotel is within a walkable area of the city, perfect for exploring. The hotel has an onsite spa and restaurant.
Budget Indianapolis Hotels
- Hotel Indy – Located close to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse and the Indiana Convention Center, this hotel has a bar, a gym and a restaurant.
- Crown Plaza Indianapolis – This hotel is close to the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. The hotel also has a bar, a 24-hour gym, and two onsite restaurants.
7) Texas Christkindl Market – Arlington, Texas
Since 2011, the Texas Christkindl Market has been celebrating the 70+ year relationship between Arlington and its sister city, Bad Königshofen, the Bavarian town. In 2011, Arlington was so inspired by their relationship that they created an annual Christmas market to commemorate the holiday season.
The city partners with Rothenburg ob der Tauber to bring the magic of European Christmas markets to Texas each year, featuring handcrafted gifts, collectibles, and designs from the iconic Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village.
Where: 1650 E Randol Mill Road, Arlington, TX 76011
Market Dates: Mid-November to December 23rd
Find out more: Texas Christkindl Market
Where To Stay In Dallas
Luxury Dallas Hotels
- Live by Loews, Arlington – Steeped in luxury, this hotel is located close to the Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium and has a poolside bar, rooftop terrace and shopping all onsite. The hotel has 300 rooms with premium comforts and many room configuration options.
- Sheraton Arlington Hotel – Located in East Arlington, this hotel is close to the local theme parks, the Christmas market, Heritage Park and Ruth Paine House Museum. The hotel offers three onsite restaurants, an outdoor swimming pool and a hotel tub.
Mid-Range Dallas Hotels
- Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Arlington – Located near Six Flags Hurricane Harbor and AT&T Stadium, Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Arlington features a grocery store, coffee shop and onsite restaurant. The hotel also has both an outdoor and indoor swimming pool.
- Aloft Dallas Arlington Entertainment District – Located in the North Arlington neighborhood, this property is situated in the entertainment district and close to theme parks.
Budget Dallas Hotels
- Four Points by Sheraton – Located in East Arlington, this hotel has 102 rooms, including executive suites, king rooms, queen rooms and rooms that sleep up to five people, great for a girl’s trip or family getaway.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Arlington DFW South – This hotel has a terrace, a bar and a 24-hour gym. The hotel also features an outdoor swimming pool with sun loungers and complimentary self-parking.
8) Christmas Village – Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore has a rich German heritage that dates back to its founding. The city was established in 1729 and among its first residents were German settlers already living on the Chesapeake Bay. By the late 19th century, Baltimore had become the second leading port of entry for European immigrants in the United States, right after New York City’s Ellis Island.
This heritage is celebrated each year at the Christmas Village. Visitors can enjoy a hot glass of mulled wine at the Glühwein Pyramid, sample an array of sausages, and wander around the almost 60 vendors. Warm up with glühwein and Belgian fries, or grab a German beer stein at the Hofbrau stall.
Where: West Shore Park, 501 Light Street, Baltimore
Market Dates: Mid-November to December 24th
Find out more: Christmas Village
Where To Stay In Baltimore
Luxury Baltimore Hotels
- Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore – Located in the neighborhood of Harbor East in Baltimore, this property is conveniently located near the airport and a metro station. This hotel offers 256 rooms, including rooms with harbor or city views and rooms with balconies.
- Sagamore Pendry Baltimore – This hotel is located near Baltimore’s Inner Harbor Marina and features a garden, terrace, and poolside bar.
Mid-Range Baltimore Hotels
- The Inn at Henderson’s Wharf – The Inn at Henderson’s Wharf is conveniently situated by Harbor Point Central Plaza and Baltimore Cruise Terminal, boasting a marina, a terrace and even a complimentary manager’s reception.
- Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel – This hotel is conveniently located close to the Baltimore Inner Harbor Marina and within walking distance of the National Aquarium in Baltimore.
Budget Baltimore Hotels
- Admiral Fell Inn Baltimore Harbor – With 80 rooms, this hotel has a room option to suit everyone, from rooms sleeping four to city-view rooms and rooms with balconies. The hotel also features two restaurants, with French cuisine, al fresco dining and a superb brunch.
- Pier 5 Hotel Baltimore – Located near the Pier Six Concert Pavilion and Baltimore Convention Center, Pier 5 Hotel Baltimore offers a marina, terrace and garden.
9) The Great Dickens Christmas Fair – Daly City, CA
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is a unique holiday market in the USA. Located in the Cow Palace arena just outside San Francisco, the organizers transform the venue into Dickensian London, with street performers, music halls, festive shops, and festive foods such as roasted chestnuts, fish and chips, and Christmas pudding.
The vendors dress in Victorian costumes, with shops filled with handmade goods and festive foods.
Where: Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, 2600 Geneva Boulevard, Daly City
Market Dates: Mid-November to December 17th
Find out more: The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Where To Stay In San Francisco
Luxury San Francisco Hotels
- St Regis San Francisco – This luxury bayside hotel is within walking distance of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Moscone Convention Center. The hotel offers suite options, presidential suite options, and grand rooms.
- Orchard Garden Hotel – Located just a short walk from Union Square, this hotel offers an excellent base for visiting Daly City and exploring San Francisco. The hotel has a rooftop terrace and an onsite restaurant.
Mid-Range San Francisco Hotels
- Hotel Triton – This upscale hotel has 140 rooms, including executive king rooms, deluxe rooms and premium rooms. The hotel also has valet parking and an onsite cafe.
- Handlery Union Square Hotel – Located in the entertainment district this hotel is close to some of the city’s major attractions. The hotel also has a heated swimming pool with sun loungers, a sauna, a gym and valet parking.
Budget San Francisco Hotels
- Hotel Zetta San Francisco – Located in Downtown San Francisco in the entertainment district this hotel is a great location to visit the market and explore everything the city has to offer. The hotel has 116 rooms, with free bicycle rentals and a cooked-to-order breakfast.
- Handlery Union Square Hotel – With rooms sleeping up to four people this hotel is a great option for a friend group visiting the market or a family trip.
10) Union Square Market, New York, NY
New York is often considered by many to be a Christmas City, with lights and festivity around every corner. The Union Square Holiday Market features over 160 vendors where visitors can weave through treats, sweet and savory stalls and holiday gifts.
Where: Union Square Park, New York
Market Dates: Mid-November to December 24th
Find out more: Union Square Market
Where To Stay In NYC
Luxury New York Hotels
- Mandarin Oriental New York – A 5-star luxury hotel just a two-minute walk from Central Park. The hotel has 244 rooms with Hudson River views, Central Park views and two-bedroom rooms which can sleep up to seven people.
- 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge – This five-star hotel offers guests a luxury escape from the city. The hotel has a poolside bar, swimming pool, rooftop bar, coffee shop and an onsite cafe.
Mid-Range New York Hotels
- Hotel Belleclaire Central Park – This 4-star hotel is located on Broadway close to a metro station and within walkable distance of top attractions. The hotel has 254 rooms with premium comforts and thoughtful touches throughout.
- The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York – A luxury hotel located on 61st Street, close to Central Park, Broadway and Times Square. This hotel features rooms with two bedrooms, suites and executive suites with a mixture of park and city views.
Budget New York Hotels
- Arlo Williamsburg Hotel – Located in Brooklyn, this hotel is close to Grand Central Terminal and has easy access to the city. The hotel also has a poolside bar, nightclub, terrace and outdoor swimming pool.
- The Surrey – This art deco boutique hotel has a rooftop terrace and garden, an onsite spa and a restaurant. The Surrey hotel has 189 rooms with premium bedding and pillow menus.
Best Christmas Markets In The USA Wrap Up
I hope you’ve found this USA Christmas markets guide helpful and you are now excited to visit a Christmas market with your friends!
If you have questions about Christmas markets or tips for our readers, please leave these in the comments below! And suppose you’re interested in visiting Christmas markets in Europe. In that case, you can check out all our European Christmas Markets guide for inspiration and trip ideas.
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit USA Christmas Markets. If you have any questions or advice to share with our readers, please leave these in the comments below.
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Read More About Christmas Markets
- Poland: 3 Day Itinerary in Krakow and Zakopane
- Complete Guide to the Riga Christmas Market
- Ultimate Guide to Christmas in Edinburgh
- 12 Best Christmas Markets in Europe
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