Have you ever wanted to experience Christmas the way they do it in Germany? Or visit Victorian England during Winter? Or partake in a traditional Dutch celebration? Well, surprisingly, you can and you don’t even have to leave the country to do so! Christmas markets are a staple of holiday fun all throughout Europe, and, over the last few decades, they have been growing in popularity in the United States as well. American Christmas markets are usually modeled after the traditions of various European countries, and they are always filled with holiday cheer, equipped with seasonal food offerings, cozy drinks, and handmade mementos. But while they all have this in common, each one is unique and offers diverse experiences. Here are some of the best ones to visit in the U.S. if you’re looking for a cozy Winter getaway!
Not only is this the largest Christmas market in the U.S., it is also often coined as the most accurate one in terms of its similarity to its real European counterpart. Christkindlmarket is modeled after the market of the same name found in Nuremberg, Germany. This market offers a large expanse of German cultural food, music, drink and shopping. Spanning the length of Chicago’s downtown Daley Plaza, Christkindlmarket brings Christmas cheer to over 1 million visitors each year, who can walk through the winding alleys of stalls filled with traditional German goods, from bratwurst and Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes), to beer, hand-carved wooden, toys and more.
Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, this market is modeled after Charles Dickens’s Victorian England and is equipped with theaters, pubs, music halls, and shop stalls selling English food and handmade goods. Many visitors even take this market as an opportunity to put on their best Victorian Era dress and get into character to make the most of the experience. It even features a shop where you can buy Charles Dickens books, so don’t forget to pick up a copy of A Christmas Carol while there! Enjoy some high tea, fish and chips, and traditional meat pies at this English market that features over 140,000 square feet of Christmas joy.
As an ode to the town name in which it is located, this Christmas market is modeled after the holiday traditions of the Netherlands. Kerstmarkt features traditional Dutch food, artisan demonstrations, homemade gifts, and more. Spanning the entire 8th Street Marketplace, this market hosts over 20,000 visitors each year. If you have been looking for a unique Christmas getaway, Kerstmarkt market may be your destination! Be sure to try some kerstbrood (traditional Dutch Christmas bread), gluhwein (mulled wine), and some oliebollen (Dutch doughnuts) before you head out!