Why go
Downtown Market turns into a little pocket of Europe for more than a month when Christkindl Markt comes to town. It feels busy in the best way, with over 60 wooden stalls, lights everywhere, and a buzzy holiday energy.

What it is known for
This one leans hard into food and drink. Think raclette scraped over bread or potatoes, artisan waffles, bratwurst, pierogies, caramelized nuts, soup, macarons, and Glühwein in collectible mugs.

Live music, roaming performers, and appearances from Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Christkind are part of the plan.

Heated Alpenglobe  chalets and curling sheets (synthetic, fyi) pull it out of “just shopping” territory and into a whole night out.

Quick stats
Runs just over a month. More than 60 vendors. Located at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. Curling lanes and private chalets can be reserved.

If you go
Weeknights are your friend if you want elbow room. Weekends feel more like a festival. Give yourself time to eat once, wander, then go back for round two.

Why go
Kerstmarkt feels like a long-running neighborhood tradition. It sits along 8th Street and leans into Dutch holiday roots. Smaller than the big-city markets, but very cozy and very local.

What it is known for
Wooden huts, Dutch treats like oliebollen and poffertjes, and live demos from makers who actually work their craft. People come back each year for booths like Simpatico Coffee, Speckled Hen, Country Fresh Pie, and Marguerite Riker’s Kerstmarkt cards.

You might catch dog sled demos, handbell concerts, Dickens style carolers, and visits from Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Sinterklaas.

Quick stats
Weekend market. Close to 35 booths. Started in 1997 with 10 stalls and has grown steadily. Still run by volunteers who focus on Dutch culture and local makers.

If you go
It is super walkable and easy to pair with downtown Holland shops, dinner or the new ice skating ribbon. Go earlier if you are chasing down certain baked goods because they tend to sell out.

Why go
This is downtown Detroit in full holiday mode. You get the tree and ice rink at Campus Martius plus rows of decorated huts and the Cadillac Lodge right across the street.

What it is known for
Dozens of small businesses in their own little cabins, selling gifts, apparel, wellness items, art, home decor, and plenty of treats. The Cadillac Lodge is a big heated tent dressed up like a ski lodge with couches, games, desserts, seasonal cocktails, and local beer. It is an easy place to park yourself after shopping and watch the city roll by.

Quick stats
Runs from early November into early January. Typically open Wednesday – Sunday. Free admission. Located at Cadillac Square, next to Campus Martius and the ice rink.

If you go
Plan to skate, shop, then warm up in the Lodge. Garages nearby are the easiest parking move. Friday and Saturday nights are busy and feel more like a downtown party.

Why go
This is the “classic Chicago” Christmas Market. Right in the Loop with skyscrapers overhead and a tight cluster of red and white stalls underneath. It feels big, bright, and very Chicago.

What it is known for
Around 55 vendors, collectible mugs, German snacks, roasted nuts, Glühwein, ornaments, and gifts from local and international vendors.

The space is compact, so crowds are thick, especially on weekends. For a lot of people, that shoulder to shoulder energy is part of the fun.

Quick stats
Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago. Roughly 55 vendors. Long-running market with a loyal following. Free to enter.

If you go
A weekday visit is way easier. Weekends are packed. Dress for wind that tunnels between buildings and be ready to stand in line for food.

Why go
Same Christkindlmarket concept as at the Daley market, but with more room to breathe. Aurora sits along the Fox River at RiverEdge Park and has the biggest vendor lineup of the three Chicago markets.

What it is known for
More than 60 booths, wide walkways, and a layout that works well for strollers and groups.

It is close to Paramount Theatre, so you can pair the market with a holiday show.

Parking is straightforward, which is a win if you are driving in.

Quick stats
RiverEdge Park in Aurora. Over 60 vendors. Free admission. Runs through Christmas Eve with a schedule that leans into weekends and key holiday dates.

If you go
Good pick if you like the idea of Chicago’s Christkindlmarket, but do not want downtown traffic and crowds. Make a day of it with a show or extra time in town.

Why go
This one is playful. Located right next to Wrigley Field, it’s part of the Winterland setup, which means the whole area feels like a legit holiday playground. Lights, rides, bars, food, and nonstop people watching.

What it is known for
Around 25 vendors, a lot of photo spots, tree lighting events, and an easy walk to every bar and restaurant in Wrigleyville. You still get Glühwein, snacks, and collectible mugs, but the vibe skews more “grab your friends and make a night of it” rather than “quiet stroll with the family.”

And since Winterland is part of the same footprint, you also get the Gallagher Ice Rink, which runs from November 23 – February 15. People skate here, but the real draw is the ice bumper cars. They look goofy, they spin a lot, and people come back for them every year.

Gallagher Way also runs special skate nights, curling matches, and bumper car sessions, so checking their calendar pays off.

Quick stats
Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville. More than 25 vendors. Open through New Year’s Eve. Winterland, the rink, and all the extra activities run well into February.

If you go
Expect lots of groups and a younger crowd once the sun goes down. It is easy to hop between skating, bumper cars, the market, and nearby spots for drinks or dinner.

Why go
This is the one you hear about in the national best-of lists. Carmel’s Christkindl is a very German style market that has the food lineup, the vendor mix, the lights, the rink, and the big glühwein pyramid that basically stops people in their tracks.

If you want a market that feels close to what you would see in Europe, this is a strong pick.

What it is known for
Over 50 huts, a full German food lineup, and an outdoor rink called The Ice at Carter Green. Many of the vendors are German or German speaking, and a lot of the goods and ingredients come straight from Germany or other German speaking regions.

Food is a huge part of the draw here – you can eat your way through raclette, bratwurst, schnitzel, handbrot, kartoffelpuffer, stollen, lebkuchen, and cheesecake. The 33 foot Glühwein Pyramid pours more than 10 hot drinks, from mulled wine to hot chocolate and punch, all in souvenir mugs. It’s really hard to resist the bakeries and snack stands that send out constant clouds of good smells.

There are also artisan vendors like Frankenmuth Clock Company with Black Forest cuckoo clocks, Perlkönig with jewelry, and craft booths where you can watch world class makers work in real time. That mix of food, gifts, live performances and hands on demos gives the market something that sets it apart.

Quick stats
Located at Carter Green in Carmel. More than 50 vendor huts in 2025. Located at Carter Green. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ice rink on site. Typically pulls close to half a million visitors in a season. Free to enter. Frequently ranked near the top of U.S. Christmas market lists.

If you go
Show up hungry on purpose. Lines move fast, but some food huts do get backed up during prime times. Mugs sell out sometimes, so grab one toward the start of your visit. Weekdays are great if you want more space to walk around and take everything in. Kids tend to love the Kinderecke craft area and the rink.

Why go
North Loop Green turns into a small village of wooden huts and lights tucked into the middle of the city for Minneapolis Christkindl Market. It feels like a little pocket inside the downtown grid where you can slow down for a bit.

What it is known for
Glühwein, Swiss raclette, bratwurst, Spätzle, waffles, sweets, and imported treats, plus more than 35 vendors selling gifts and decor. There is live music, dance, lantern walks, and Santa visits on select days. The annual Glühwein mug has become a collector item.

Quick stats
North Loop Green, downtown Minneapolis. Weekends only. More than 35 vendors and growing year to year.

If you go
Plan for cold and wind. It is set around an open park, so it can feel extra chilly. Time your visit with performances if you like having something to watch while you snack.

Why go
Cincinnati turns its riverfront into a full holiday village, with Smale Riverfront Park and the Moerlein Lager House acting as the backdrop. You get river views, city lights, and a market that feels big without being overwhelming.

What it is known for
Bavarian style food, collectible mugs, lots of lights, and steady live entertainment. You will find bratwurst, big pretzels, roasted nuts, s’mores stations, warm glühwein, winter cocktails, and local beer. Vendors sell German ornaments, glassware, winter accessories, and holiday food.

Outdoor bars, holiday sweets, and collectible mugs add to the whole “walk around with something warm in your hands” vibe.

It also has more activities than most Midwest markets. There is an ice rink, a whole row of private heated igloos you can reserve, and even an outdoor ice slide that kids and adults both go for.

Weekends usually have something happening, whether it is carolers, jazz groups, Dickens style performers, Santa visits, or themed brunches that lean into storybook characters.

Quick stats
Runs more than a month. Free entry. Tied into downtown riverfront attractions and parking.

If you go
Check the calendar for special events, like Steinholding contests or themed weekends. Make time for the igloos or the ice slide if you are visiting with kids or a group. The riverfront walk is pretty at night, too.

Why go
This is the “Hallmark town square” version. Courthouse Square lights up, and the whole thing feels very relaxed.

What it is known for
Horse drawn wagon rides, hot chocolate, Santa visits, local crafts, and live music. People talk about it as something they do every year, not just a one off outing.

Quick stats
Free outdoor market. Open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 4 – 8 PM.

If you go
Best if you are nearby or driving through the area. Stay long enough to enjoy the evening lights and music.

Why go
When it’s time for the Sandusky Christmas Market, downtown’s Schade Mylander Plaza gets lined with stalls, lights, and a big tree, with fireworks thrown in for good measure.

What it is known for
Around 25 vendors, local food and drink, live music from bands and choirs, a tree lighting, and fireworks. It is newer than some of the other markets, but already has strong local support.

Quick stats
Held on select dates November 29 – December 14. Downtown setting at Schade Mylander Plaza.

If you go
Bundle up. People love the event but that plaza can get downright cold on windy nights. The entertainment and fireworks help make it worth sticking it out.

Why go
Old World Christmas Market is the one to pick if you want a German style market without being outside the whole time. The resort setting makes it feel like a holiday getaway.

What it is known for
European style gifts and ornaments, German foods like bratwurst, potato pancakes, and strudel, and mulled wine. Families can jump into cookie decorating, ornament making, and horse drawn carriage rides.

Quick stats
Open daily from 10 AM – 5 PM. Located at The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake. Ten day run.

If you go
Easy choice for anyone who likes the idea of going back to a warm lobby and a real bed after shopping. Turn it into an overnight or weekend trip to make the drive worth it.

Why go
Set at the Corner of the Past Museum, this one feels very “Door County,” with historic buildings, local makers, and winter air in the mix.

What it is known for
Handmade goods, local food, mulled wine, and live music in a historic outdoor setting. It is smaller, but very charming and pulls in people who already love Door County and want a holiday excuse to come back.

Quick stats
Three weekends of markets. Museum grounds in Sister Bay. Outdoor setup around historic structures.

If you go
Plan a full Door County day or weekend around it. Parking can take a bit on busier days, so arrive earlier rather than later.

Why go
If you’re going to cross the border for one Christmas market, go here. The Distillery District already looks cool with its old brick buildings and cobblestone streets, and then they layer on a million lights, cabins, music, and a massive Christmas tree. It feels like you walked into a holiday movie.

What it is known for
About 50 vendor cabins line the streets with Canadian goodies, imported ornaments, European snacks, roasted chestnuts, pastries, and a bunch of giftable stuff. There are outdoor bars pouring mulled wine and winter cocktails, and the whole place glows at night.

You’ll run into choirs, musicians, street performers, and random entertainment pretty much all season. Daytime is great for families. Nights are great for adults who want lights, drinks, and a wintery night out.

Quick stats
Runs from late November – December 31. Timed entry and paid admission on busy days. In the Distillery Historic District, an easy streetcar or Uber ride from downtown hotels.

If you go
Pick a weekday evening if you can. Weekends get crowded and can get pricey once you add in tickets, food, and drinks.

Most daytime and weekday visits are totally free. You only need a ticket for busy times, like evenings and weekends, or most days after mid December. General tickets are under twenty bucks, kids nine and under are free. Tickets are online only.