US Merry Christmas Eve to those of you who celebrate! Have you been dreaming of visiting the Christkindlmarkts over in Europe? Do you simply not have the time you need to jet off to Europe with your family to do this memorable experience? Well, there are a few Christmas Markets right here in the US. And some of them are just as appealing, and fairy tale like, as the Christmas Markets you would find on the other side of the world! These markets offer traditional foods and all the handmade gifts you have been craving. The best part is it is so much easier to take a weekend family vacation to check out these US-based Christkindlmarkets. And yes, I realize it is too late to visit these this year. However, now is the perfect time to start planning a magical holiday trip with your family for next year!

US Christmas Markets Your Family Must Visit This Holiday Season

Kerstmarkt in Holland, Michigan – A Popular US Christmas Market

You may or may not have heard about Holland, Michigan. This small town in Michigan is famous for their tulips in the spring, as well as its Dutch heritage.

Well, during the holiday season, your family will appreciate Holland for its Christmas magic! The Christmas Market, Kerstmarkt, is just like all the Christkindlmarkts in the Netherlands. There are normally eighteen booths selling everything from crafts to Dutch cuisine and traditional Michigan holiday foods.

Kerstmarkt is held on certain days every November and December.

Christmas Village in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Christmas Village in Philadelphia is inspired by the Christkindlmarkets in Germany. This Christmas Market is near City Hall.

Your family won’t want to miss the twinkling lights that surround the wooden huts selling gifts and delectable cuisine. They added a German food court this year. Therefore, your family will want to bring their appetite if they want to try all the spätzle, bratwurst, and Belgian fries.

Oh, and the kids can take a ride on the double-decker carousel while you and your spouse enjoy a beer or glass of spiced wine in the beer garden.

The Christmas Village is open every day from the end of November until Christmas Eve.

Christkindlmarket in Chicago, Illinois

The holiday magic is everywhere in the city of Chicago! Your family can wander the streets as you check out holiday window displays.

As you all get swept away in all the yuletide joy, you won’t want to forget to visit the Christkindlmarket. A Christmas Market in Nuremberg, Germany was the inspiration for this US Christmas Market.

The wooden stalls are full of food, drinks, and beautifully crafted gifts. A gingerbread treat is a must, but so is a glass of mulled wine, or glühwein, for the adults.

The Christkindlmarket opens in the middle of November each year and runs until Christmas Eve.

Savannah Christmas Market in Savannah, Georgia

The Savannah Christmas Market is one of the newer Christmas Markets in the US.  You will find this Christkindlmarkt down near the river.

The vendors sell everything from beer and mulled wine to Bavarian pretzels and tons of chocolate items. Numerous special events coincide with this market.

The featured events are always the tree lighting ceremony and the Savannah Harbor boat parade of lights.

Savannah’s Christmas Market is open Thursdays through Sundays from the end of November through right before Christmas Eve.

Consider these amazing family friendly activities during a holiday vacation in Savannah. 

Scandinavian Christmas Fair in Raleigh, North Carolina

The Christkindlmarkt in Raleigh is called Julmarknad. Your family will love all the Swedish elements that are incorporated into the festivities.

Visit Tomten after eating all the Swedish delicacies. This is Santa Claus in Scandanavia!

Make sure you plan to stay at this Christmas Market for a while. Your family won’t want to miss out on traditional folk dancing. And don’t forget to grab your Norwegian sweaters and gnomes for all those holiday gifts you need!

The Scandinavian Christmas Fair is only held on one day each year. I can help you determine when that day will be next holiday season.

Consider a Christmas Market river cruise for your family vacation next holiday season.

Après Ski Holiday Market at Dairy Block in Denver, Colorado

There are multiple Christkindlmarkets in the city of Denver each year. While they are all amazing, you will want to begin your family time at the Après Ski Holiday Market at Dairy Block.

Your family will feel as if you stepped into a Swiss ski village that looks like a winter wonderland. Coffee inside a bubble tent and wine in a heated igloo are only two of the unique experiences your family can enjoy at this Christmas Market.

This Christkindlmarket is open on Fridays through Sundays from the end of November through the middle of December.

Check out these incredible activities for your family vacation in Denver. 

Solvang Julefest in Solvang, California

Over at the Solvang Julefest, it is all about Danish culture and the Christmas season. The entire downtown area of Solvang transforms into a quaint Christmas village.

As your family wanders around, you can visit with Santa, devour a few dozen different Christmas cookies, and even complete a scavenger hunt.

This Christmas Market in California opens at the end of November, and the fun continues until New Year’s Day.

These are the best US Christmas Markets, and your family must visit at least one of them this holiday season. You don’t need to travel out of the country any more to get an authentic Christkindlmarkt experience. Instead, choose one of these Christmas Markets and make those holiday memories you will cherish forever!

Are you ready to take a quick family vacation to a Christmas Market?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar. You can easily schedule a time that is convenient for you.

And if you are not ready to plan a trip to a Christmas Market this year, you can sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. This will ensure you continue to receive travel information from me, as well as stay in touch, so I can plan your family’ Christkindlmarkt festivities for next year.