The best Christmas markets in the US copy the German tradition: wooden stalls, mulled wine, bratwurst and handmade ornaments, set up in a city square from late November to Christmas. Most are free to enter and open every day.
These 7 are the best Christmas markets to visit in 2026, from the 30th Christkindlmarket in Chicago to a Bavarian-style market outside a baseball stadium in Texas.
The 7 markets at a glance
| Market | City | 2026 dates | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christkindlmarket | Chicago, IL | Nov 20 – Dec 24 | Free |
| Christmas Village | Philadelphia, PA | Nov 21 – Dec 27 | Free |
| Bryant Park Holiday Shops | New York, NY | Oct 28 – Jan 3, 2027 | Free |
| Christkindlmarkt | Bethlehem, PA | Long weekends, Nov 13 – Dec 20 | Paid |
| Carmel Christkindlmarkt | Carmel, IN | Nov 21 – Dec 24 | Free |
| Denver Christkindlmarket | Denver, CO | Nov 20 – Dec 23 | Free |
| Texas Christkindl Market | Arlington, TX | Nov 20–23, Nov 27 – Dec 23 | Free |
1. Christkindlmarket Chicago, Illinois
Chicago’s Christkindlmarket turns 30 in 2026 and is the best-known German-style market in the country. It fills Daley Plaza downtown from November 20 to December 24, and entry is free. A second market at Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville stays open until December 31, closed on Christmas Day.
- What to eat and buy: bratwurst, pretzels, potato pancakes, mulled wine in the collectible mug, glass ornaments
- Where to stay: the Loop or River North, a short walk away
- Tip: bring some cash, since a few vendors don’t take cards
2. Christmas Village, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Christmas Village fills LOVE Park and the City Hall courtyard from November 21 to December 27, 2026. It opens with a preview weekend on November 21 and 22, then closes November 23 to 25 and reopens on Thanksgiving Day. Entry is free.
- What to see: the 30-foot glowing German Christmas pyramid, a 65-foot Ferris wheel and a double-decker carousel in the City Hall courtyard
- Hours: noon to 8 PM Sunday to Thursday, noon to 9 PM Friday and Saturday
- Where to stay: Center City, within walking distance
It’s open on Thanksgiving Day from 9 AM to 5 PM, so it pairs well with the morning parade.
3. Bryant Park Holiday Shops, New York City
The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park’s Winter Village have about 180 glass-walled kiosks in the middle of Midtown, open from October 28, 2026, to January 3, 2027. Next to them is the only free-admission ice rink in Manhattan.
- What to buy: gifts from local makers, jewelry, candles, hot chocolate and street food
- Hours: 11 AM to 8 PM on weekdays, 10 AM to 8 PM on weekends
- Where to stay: Midtown
Go on a weekday morning. Evenings and weekends in December get very crowded.
4. Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem, known as Christmas City, USA, runs its Christkindlmarkt at SteelStacks, beside the old Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces. It’s open on long weekends only: November 13–15, 20–22 and 27–29, then December 3–6, 10–13 and 17–20, 2026. Admission is charged.
- What to buy: hand-blown glass ornaments, German food, local crafts
- Where to stay: the historic downtown on Main Street
- Tip: buy tickets online for Saturdays, the busiest day
Bethlehem is also on our list of the best Christmas towns in the USA.
5. Carmel Christkindlmarkt, Indiana
Carmel, about 30 minutes north of Indianapolis, started its Christkindlmarkt in 2017 to celebrate Indiana’s German roots. It runs from November 21 to December 24, 2026, at Carter Green, and the Christkind, the Christmas angel from Nuremberg’s market, visits during the season.
- Hours: 4 to 9 PM Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 9 PM Friday and Saturday, 2 to 8 PM Sunday. It’s closed most Mondays and Tuesdays
- What to eat: German sausages, schnitzel, strudel, hot chocolate
- Where to stay: Carmel City Center, next to the market
6. Denver Christkindlmarket, Colorado
Denver’s market runs from November 20 to December 23, 2026, at the Tivoli Quad on the Auraria Campus, close to downtown. Entry is free, and the cold mountain air makes the mulled wine taste better.
- What to buy: German food and beer, wooden toys, ornaments
- Where to stay: downtown or LoDo
- Tip: dress warm, since Denver nights in December often drop below freezing
7. Texas Christkindl Market, Arlington
The Texas Christkindl Market celebrates its 15th year in 2026 on the North Plaza of Globe Life Field, between Dallas and Fort Worth. It’s open November 20 to 23, then November 27 to December 23, with a tree lighting on Black Friday. Entry is free.
- What to eat: bratwurst, German chocolate, mulled wine
- Where to stay: the Arlington entertainment district, near the stadiums
- Tip: it’s the warmest market on this list, so a light jacket is usually enough
Tips for visiting Christmas markets
- Go early on a weekday. Weekend evenings in December are the most crowded at every market here
- Bring cash and a bag. Some vendors don’t take cards, and you’ll collect small gifts fast
- Keep the mug. Many markets serve hot drinks in a collectible mug you can keep or return for a deposit
- Use transit when you can. Parking near downtown markets is limited and expensive
Planning a longer trip? See our list of the best places to travel in December.
FAQ
Chicago’s Christkindlmarket, the best-known German-style market in the country. Philadelphia’s Christmas Village is a close second, with rides and a giant Christmas pyramid.
Most are. Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Carmel, Denver and Arlington are free to enter. Bethlehem charges admission.
Most open the weekend before Thanksgiving, around November 20 in 2026, and close on or just before Christmas Eve. New York’s Bryant Park opens in late October.
It’s the German name for a Christmas market, after the Christkind, the Christmas angel. The tradition comes from cities such as Nuremberg, and US markets copy it with wooden stalls, mulled wine and German food.
Final takeaway
Of all the Christmas markets in the US, Chicago’s Christkindlmarket is the 1 to visit first, and Philadelphia’s Christmas Village is the best for families. For a quieter, smaller market, go to Carmel or Bethlehem.
Sources: Choose Chicago: Christkindlmarket 2026 · Christmas Village in Philadelphia · ArtsQuest: Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem · Visit Denver · Visit Arlington via DFW Child
