11/27/2023
Who is up for a weekend getaway? Would you like to visit a Christmas Market? Europe has long been known for their tradition of beautiful markets but visiting Europe is not always the easiest trip to make during the holidays. Did you know that there are also Christmas Markets here in the US? Here is a list of the 10 most popular markets a little closer to home and more easily planned for a long weekend.
1. Christkindlmarket Chicago, now in its 27th year, is one of the nation's oldest German holiday markets. Literally meaning "Christ Child Market," the market is modeled after the 16th-century Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, and its Christkind (a golden fairy in white robes) is the German equivalent of Santa Claus.
Along with classic German culinary delicacies — like lebkuchen (gingerbread), giant pretzels, hot spiced wine, bratwurst and roasted nuts — there are twinkling lights, live music and authentic German handicrafts like weihnachtspyramide (Christmas pyramids), ornate nutcrackers and whimsical tree ornaments. Chicago's largest open-air Christmas festival draws more than 1 million people annually across its two locations in downtown Chicago (at Daley Plaza and further north in Wrigleyville) and in the western suburb of Aurora. The downtown and Aurora locations are open daily from Nov. 17-Dec. 24, while Wrigleyville (in front of the iconic ballpark) goes through Dec. 31; hours vary by location.
2. Bethlehem, PA
3. Downtown Holiday Market, Washington DC
4. North Pole, Alaska
5. Peoples Gas Holiday Market, Pittsburgh PA
6. Cambria Christmas Market, California
7. Carmel Christkindlmarket, Indiana
8. Christmas Village, Philadelphia PA
9. Texas Christkindl Market, Arlington TX. the largest open-air Christmas market in the Southwest. It's inspired by a 70-year relationship between Arlington and its sister city, Bad Konigshofen, Germany. Working with its partner Christmas city, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, since 2011, the Texas Christkindl Market aims to bring the European Christmas market experience to the Lone Star State. Celebrating its 13th annual Christmas market, the family-friendly event will run this year from Nov. 24 through Dec. 23 at North Plaza at Globe Life Field.
10. Union Square Holiday Market, NYC