Christmas markets are opening for business across the United States this month. Plenty of places are preparing to set up artisanal stalls, position ice rinks and drape the whole town in twinkling lights – you can almost smell the aromas of mulled wine and bratwurst filling the air.

From New York to Chicago and from Pittsburgh to Denver, festive markets sell distinctive artisanal goods, such as hand-blown glass ornaments and alpaca sweaters.

There is also all manner of delicacies on offer, too, from spiced glühwein to sizzling bratwurst. Keep an eye out for special events at the market too, from ice-carving demonstrations to holiday tunes belted out by performers as you browse.

Read on for a sleigh’s worth of tips for Christmas markets that fizz with festive cheer, including top places to stay nearby.

1. Christkindlmarket

Chicago, Illinois

When: November 20 - December 24 2026 (December 31 in Aurora)

Chicago takes its Christmas markets extremely seriously and offers not one but three Christkindlmarket locations — two in the city itself and a third in the suburb of Aurora — all gold-standard, German-inspired affairs guaranteed to infuse visitors with holiday cheer.

In the city, one is set against the dazzling backdrop of historic Daley Plaza in the heart of the Loop, while the other unfolds in the lively Wrigleyville neighborhood beside the legendary Wrigley Field baseball stadium. The Aurora Christkindlmarket is held at RiverEdge Park and features around 60 vendors.

As you wander through them, you’ll uncover artisanal treasures from around the world, including hand-blown glass ornaments, crispy potato pancakes (kartoffelpuffer), sizzling bratwursts and spiced glühwein, the beloved German mulled wine, to keep you warm.

And don’t leave without the famous souvenir mug, available at all three locations. The design changes every year and they’ve become something of a collector’s item among locals. There are four sizes available this year, and are themed around the Christkindlmarket’s 30th anniversary.

Find out more on the Christkindlmarket website

Where to stay

L7 Chicago by Lotte is handily placed for the Daley Plaza market — less than half a mile away — and offers boutique bedrooms with 55-inch LCD TVs, perfect for those all-important Christmas movies after a long day on your feet.

Read more: Why your next city break should be to Chicago, not NYC

2. Christmas Markets

New York City, New York

When: Bryant Park October 28 2026 - January 3 2027, Union Square November 13 - December 24 2026, Grand Central November 9 - December 24 2026

A New York Christmas has to be experienced at least once in your life, with its flurry of festive markets one of the most compelling reasons why.

There are several excellent options. One is Bryant Park Winter Village, which features more than 100 market stalls and NYC’s largest free-admission ice rink, although you may have to rent skates. While the holiday shops close on January 4, the rink and the après-skate "Lodge" food hall overlooking it — where you can buy festive cocktails and hot cocoa from vendors like S'mores N'more — stay open until February 28.

Head to the charming Union Square Holiday Market (open until December 24) for crafts, gifts and food stalls downtown, then take the 4, 5, or 6 train to Grand Central Terminal, where the station’s iconic Vanderbilt Hall transforms into an elegant indoor Christmas market (also until December 24). Artisans sell distinctive gifts you won't find on Amazon, like unique handcrafted jewelry, pottery, and artwork.

Find out more on the Bryant Park, Union Square and Grand Central websites

Where to stay

Refinery Hotel has loft-style rooms, a rooftop bar, and perfectly placed proximity to the Bryant Park market — it’s just four minutes away on foot.

Read more: I drove the length of Mississippi – these are the spots you should visit on a road trip

3. Christkindlmarkt

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

When: November 13 - December 20 2026

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, leans heavily into Christmas celebrations, as you might expect from a settlement founded in 1741 on Christmas Eve and that, capitalizing on its heritage, calls itself "Christmas City, USA.”

The Christmas market is at the heart of the festivities, and it's an eye-opener, set against the backdrop of the old Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces — known today as the SteelStacks. The contrast between the rusting industrial structure and the rustic market is bewitching.

Highlights include spectacular live ice carving demonstrations and glass-blowing sessions. And locals will urge you not to miss a visit to the tent dedicated to Käthe Wohlfahrt — a world-renowned German provider of handmade ornaments — or a slice of Heidi's apple strudel.

Find out more on the Discover Lehigh Valley website

Where to stay

Historic Hotel Bethlehem is blanketed in lavish decor and is within easy walking distance of the market.

Read more: Forget the Rockies – five East Coast ski resorts to try instead

4. Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt

Cincinnati, Ohio

When: November 20 - December 28 2026

Located next to the Moerlein Lager House in Smale Riverfront Park, Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt is an all-ages German-American affair, with twinkling holiday lights, choir performances and an “igloo boardwalk,” where visitors can sit inside transparent igloo-style private seating domes with river views.

There are also stalls selling handcrafted gifts and ornaments, and Bavarian sausages and roasted nuts are available to satisfy hunger pangs.

Find out more on the Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt website

Where to stay

AC Hotel by Marriott Cincinnati at The Banks puts you in the heart of Cincinnati’s festivities and is a snowball’s throw from the market.

Read more: Five bucket-list train journeys that showcase America’s most breathtaking scenery

5. Hallmark Christmas Experience

Kansas City, Missouri

When: Weekends November 27 - December 20

Movie-watching is part and parcel of the Christmas experience, and Kansas City embraces this wholeheartedly with its annual Hallmark Christmas Experience at the Crown Center.

It brings to life the charm of a Hallmark movie town square, complete with light shows, an ice rink, enormous Christmas trees, vendors selling Hallmark gifts, festive foods and card-sending stations.

Hallmark holiday movies are, of course, part of the magic, with weekend marathons screened inside the Crown Center.

Fans can also get an exclusive signature from The Groomsmen actor Tyler Hynes on their very own keepsake ornament shaped like the actor on the first two weekends.

Find out more on the Hallmark Christmas Experience website

Where to stay

Make your visit to the market even more special with a holiday-themed room within The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center, the official hotel of the Hallmark Christmas Experience. Guests are greeted with a welcome basket filled with Hallmark gifts, hot cocoa, and stunning views across the Hallmark experience.

Purchase a Find Magic or Make Memories package to receive an email with a booking link.

Read more: Taylor Swift has put Kansas City on the map – but there’s so much more to Missouri

6. Holidays on Houston Street Market

San Antonio, Texas

When: Weekends December 4 - December 20 2026

This Christmas, five blocks of San Antonio’s historic Houston Street will be transformed into a Christmas-market-style wonderland.

Last year, more than 390,000 mini LED lights illuminated 80 trees, wreaths adorned the lampposts, and local businesses switched to festive menus and holiday treats – so we can only expect more great things this year.

Over the two weekends, the market hosts San Antonio’s best local artisans, as live performances and family-friendly activities keep guests entertained.

Find out more on the Holidays on Houston Street website

Where to stay

Hotel Valencia Riverwalk puts you in the thick of the action — it’s just steps from the center of the city.

Read more: Forget Route 66 - five under-the-radar road trips that get to the heart of America

7. Christmas Village

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

When: November 21 - December 27 2026

Philadelphia’s Love Park likes to throw itself headlong into the Christmas spirit, transforming into a European-style open-air Bavarian village, usually with more than 120 vendors offering ornaments, crafts, winter accessories and handmade gifts.

Hungry for festive staples? You’re in for a treat, stalls will sell raclette sandwiches, spiced wine, strudel and more.

At the centre of it all will be a 30-foot-tall German Christmas pyramid — an illuminated, multi-tiered wooden tower often found in Alpine town squares.

Find out more on the Philadelphia Christmas Village website

Where to stay

At The Notary Hotel, Philadelphia, Autograph Collection, you’ll be a short stroll from Love Park’s glowing celebrations.

Read more: Crowd-free state parks that are just as beautiful as U.S. national parks — and they’re free

8. Peoples Gas Holiday Market

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

When: November 20 - December 24 2026

Peoples Gas Market has been running for 15 years and is a much-loved annual tradition in downtown Pittsburgh. Last year, the city’s Market Square was decorated for the holiday season, sparkling with more than 150,000 LED lights and a 35-foot-tall illuminated tree.

Set in the heart of downtown in Market Square, and framed by twinkling lights and the city’s towering Christmas tree, locals wander among alpine-style chalets and stalls selling handcrafted gifts and festive treasures. Live music is also on hand to entertain shoppers, with local musicians scheduled throughout the day and chances to belt out your own tune during the karaoke slots.

In a city known for its industrial grit, the “old-world” atmosphere of Peoples Gas Holiday Market is delightfully unexpected.

Find out more on the Visit Pittsburgh website

Where to stay

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh by IHG would be the icing on the Christmas cake of a stay in Pittsburgh.

Read more: A journey along the Trail of Tears is essential to understanding Tennessee’s history

9. Christkindl Markt

Grand Rapids, Michigan

When: November 18 - December 24 2026

Grand Rapids has come late to the Christmas market party — 2026 is only the fourth year of its Christkindl Markt.

But it’s making up for lost time with a grand European-style Christmas village at the Downtown Market that features more than 60 artisan and food vendors.

The market offers classic delights such as glühwein (mulled wine), culinary specialities like raclette and bratwurst, Alpenglobes (transparent heated pods) for cozy private dining, and even curling experiences. Visitors can also expect candles, olive wood, cocktail kits, small-batch hot sauce and alpaca blankets being sold from the rows of stalls.

Find out more on the Christkindl Markt website

Where to stay

JW Marriott Grand Rapids is an ideal luxury base for Grand Rapids holiday cheer.

Read more: These two coastal Florida cities are both great for family holidays – but in very different ways

10. DowntownDC Holiday Market

Washington, DC

When: November 13 - December 23 2026

DowntownDC’s Holiday Market, now in its 22nd year, transforms F Street NW (between 7th and 9th Streets) into a bustling festive village.

This enormous market fizzes with energy as stalls do brisk trade in an almost bewildering array of items. Here you can buy alpaca sweaters, artist-designed puzzles, hand-painted ceramics, and food and drink from authentic German pretzels and gooey raclette cheese to infused cocktails.

After you peruse the market, you can check out the free-to-enter Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, which are right opposite.

DC also has a more intimate Christmas market (until December 23) located at Dupont Circle (1500 block of 19th St NW). Here, you'll find arts and crafts gifts, and treats such as mini donuts and roasted nuts.

Find out more on the DowntownDC website

Where to stay

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC by IHG is next door to the market, with spacious guest rooms, a restaurant and bar.

Read more: The most beautiful downtowns in America — and they’re all walkable

11. Old World Christmas Market

Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

When: December 4 - December 13 2026

For nearly 30 years, The Osthoff Resort has been running a Christmas market in the spirit of the centuries-old Christkindlesmarkt of Nuremberg, Germany.

Guests stroll the aisles of a grand heated tent filled with the aroma of roasted almonds, hot glühwein and Nuremberg bratwurst, while regional artisans sell everything from blown-glass ornaments and nutcrackers to stained-glass art and fine chocolates.

And be prepared for a festive selfie with Santa Claus — he makes frequent appearances.

Find out more on The Osthoff Resort website

Where to stay

The Osthoff Resort, set on the shores of Elkhart Lake, is the perfect property with which to pair with a visit to the market.

Read more: Natural spectacles in the US that you must see at least once

12. Denver Christkindlmarket

Denver, Colorado

When: November 20 - December 23 2026

Denver’s Christkindl Market, inspired by traditional German markets, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026, so marketgoers can expect even more holiday magic than before.

The market has a new home this year on Auraria Campus in Denver and will include new festive features such as a carousel and a glass ornament workshop.

You’ll be able to smell the evidence straight away — the air fills with the aromas of candied nuts, gingerbread, strudel and cheese-stuffed sausages, along with glühwein and hot chocolate.

There are also artisanal gifts for sale and live performances, including German polka displays.

Find out more on the Denver Christkindlemarket website

Where to stay

If festive buzz is the priority, look no further than Hotel Teatro, which is a short walk or ride from the market.

Read more: America’s most historic hotels – from a Santa Fe hacienda to a Charleston inn

Read More