US Christmas Markets 2026: Dates, Must-Sees and Insider Tips

New York's Bryant Park Winter Village opened on October 28, the earliest start of any of the big US Christmas markets, and the rest of the country is close behind. Over the next four weeks, wooden stalls, mulled wine and German-style pyramids will appear from Pennsylvania to Oregon. The catch is that every market keeps its own schedule. Some run only on weekends, some close on Mondays, and a few stay open well past Christmas.

This guide collects the confirmed 2026 dates for the most popular US Christmas markets, along with what makes each one special and the practical details worth knowing before you go. Dates come from official market announcements wherever possible. Start with the calendar below, then read on for the markets where timing matters most.

Key Takeaways

• Bryant Park Winter Village in New York is already open (October 28, 2026 to February 28, 2027) and is celebrating its 25th season.
• Bethlehem, Pennsylvania's Christkindlmarkt runs weekends only, from November 13 to December 20.
• Chicago's Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza turns 30 this year and runs November 20 to December 24.
• Philadelphia's Christmas Village stays open past Christmas Eve for the first time, through December 27.
• Most markets are free to enter, but extras like skating, igloos or preview nights can cost money.

Christmas Markets 2026: Dates at a Glance

Here are the 2026 dates for the markets in this guide, listed in order of opening:

• Bryant Park Winter Village, New York City: October 28, 2026 – February 28, 2027
• Christkindlmarkt, Bethlehem, PA: November 13 – December 20 (weekends only)
• Cullman Christkindlmarkt, Alabama: November 19 – December 23
• Christkindlmarket, Chicago (Daley Plaza): November 20 – December 24
• Texas Christkindl Market, Arlington: November 20–22, then November 27 – December 23
• Silverton Christmas Market, Oregon: November 20 – December 31
• Carmel Christkindlmarkt, Indiana: November 21 – December 24
• Christmas Village, Philadelphia: preview November 21–22, then November 26 – December 27
• Christmastown, Leavenworth, WA: November 27 – December 24
• Cambria Christmas Market, California: November 27 – December 31
• Roc Holiday Village, Rochester, NY: November 27 – December 20
• Christmas Prelude, Kennebunkport, ME: December 3–13

Hours and closed days vary a lot, so always check the official website before you travel. Now for the details, starting with the market that is already open.

New York: Bryant Park Winter Village

According to Quartz, Bryant Park's Winter Village runs from October 28, 2026 through February 28, 2027, marking its 25th anniversary. It is built around what Quartz calls New York City's only free-admission ice rink, surrounded by more than 180 vendor stalls selling crafts, gifts, food and drinks.

The location is hard to beat. It sits right beside the New York Public Library in Midtown and is a short walk from Rockefeller Center, so you can pair a market visit with the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in a single evening.

Tip: Weekend skating slots can fill up fast. If skating is the main reason for your visit, reserve a time on the official website before you go.

Photo: DR04 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Chicago: Christkindlmarket Turns 30

Chicago's Christkindlmarket is often described as the largest open-air Christmas market in the US. Quartz reports that it was founded in 1996 by the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, in partnership with officials from Nuremberg, Germany, home of one of Europe's most famous Christmas markets. It draws more than a million visitors a year, and 2026 is its 30th anniversary season.

The Daley Plaza market runs from November 20 to December 24. Expect rows of wooden huts, live music, imported ornaments, bratwurst and the collectible souvenir mug that many visitors buy every year. The organization also runs satellite markets in Aurora and in Wrigleyville at Gallagher Way. Check their dates separately.

Tip: With crowds that large, weekday afternoons are the easiest time to browse. Daley Plaza is in the Loop, so the CTA is the simplest way to get there.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: The "Christmas City"

Bethlehem has a strong claim to being America's most Christmassy town. It was founded by Moravian settlers on Christmas Eve in 1741, and Quartz notes that the town is home to the first documented Christmas tree in America, in 1747.

ArtsQuest, the nonprofit that runs the market, announced the 34th annual Christkindlmarkt for November 13 through December 20, 2026, at the SteelStacks campus. That setting is part of the appeal: the stalls sit beneath the huge blast furnaces of the former Bethlehem Steel plant. ArtsQuest says the 2025 market drew a record 145,552 visitors, up almost 14% from the year before.

New for 2026, the number of private heated igloos doubles from four to eight, there's a new bag check service at the visitor center, and the Holiday Pop-Up Artist Market expands into ArtsQuest's new Creative Factory. More than 200 artisans, crafters and retailers from 18 states and Scotland will be selling.

Tip: The market runs on weekends only, so don't plan a midweek visit. The igloos sold out on most weekends last year, so book early if you want one.

Photo: w_lemay / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Philadelphia: Christmas Village Gets an Extra Weekend

Philadelphia's Christmas Village, which first opened in 2008, returns to LOVE Park, the City Hall Courtyard and the North Broad section. According to the official press release, it opens on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, and runs through December 27, with a special preview weekend on November 21 and 22. This is the first year the market will stay open after Christmas Eve.

The centerpiece is a 30-foot German Christmas pyramid lit by more than 3,000 lights, with City Hall as the backdrop. The organizers say more than 120 vendors will set up in wooden booths, and the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market at nearby Dilworth Park adds more than 40 local makers. Families will like the 65-foot Ferris wheel in the North Broad section.

Food is a big part of the draw. The organizers list hot Glühwein from Pennsylvania's Mazza Wines, raclette-style cheese sandwiches, Austrian strudel and schnitzel, plus new additions for 2026 like a Churro Split and crab-loaded baked potatoes. The famous German ornament maker Käthe Wohlfahrt also returns with a large heated tent of glass ornaments, nutcrackers and pyramids. Two Snowflake Cocktail Bars and zero-proof drinks like hot chocolate and apple cider mean there's something for everyone in the group.

Tip: The market closes November 23 to 25, between the preview weekend and Thanksgiving, and on Christmas Day. Entry is free, and you pay as you go for food and drinks.

Arlington, Texas: Texas Christkindl Market

The City of Arlington says the Texas Christkindl Market returns in two blocks: November 20–22 and November 27 – December 23, 2026, on the plaza outside Globe Life Field. The market reflects Arlington's long sister-city relationship with Bad Königshofen in Germany, and visitors can expect German food, carved wooden smokers and ornaments.

Tip: The split schedule means there's a short break before Thanksgiving week. You could visit the opening weekend and again in December. If you're flying in for the holidays, our Thanksgiving travel guide covers the busiest days to avoid.

Photo: Rhododendrites / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Carmel, Indiana: A Glühwein Pyramid and a German Feel

The official Carmel Christkindlmarkt website lists the market as open November 21 – December 24, with a Wundernacht event on November 19 and the opening and tree-lighting ceremonies on November 21. Quartz describes its centerpiece as a 33-foot Glühwein pyramid built in Germany.

Tip: Check the hours before you go. Carmel is normally closed Mondays and Tuesdays, with special hours around Thanksgiving and in the days just before Christmas. TravelPirates also notes the market can close early when temperatures drop to 20°F or lower.

More US Christmas Markets Worth the Trip

Beyond the big names, several smaller US Christmas markets have devoted followings. All dates below come from Quartz's 2026 roundup:

• Leavenworth, Washington (November 27 – December 24): This Bavarian-style mountain town hosts Christmastown, and more than half a million lights stay on through the end of February.
• Cullman, Alabama (November 19 – December 23): Started with eight huts in 2019 and drew more than 415,000 visitors in 2025, with German traditions and a Southern twist.
• Silverton, Oregon (November 20 – December 31): Held at the Oregon Garden Resort, with local glassblowers and wood carvers, and even a Krampus display.
• Cambria, California (November 27 – December 31): A coastal market with roughly 3 million lights and mild weather. Don't expect snow.
• Rochester, New York (November 27 – December 20): Roc Holiday Village pairs local makers with a free ice rink and drew more than 200,000 people in 2025.
• Kennebunkport, Maine (December 3–13): Christmas Prelude is a town-wide celebration dating to 1982, with craft fairs, street festivals and a famously whimsical hat parade.

If you love small New England towns, Kennebunkport is a lovely winter companion to the places in our quiet fall foliage towns guide.

Photo: Christmas Village / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

How to Plan a Christmas Market Trip

A little planning goes a long way, especially in December, when weekends get crowded and hotels fill up.

• Go early in the season or on a weekday. The weekends closest to Christmas are almost always the busiest. Weekday afternoons are calmer and better for shopping.
• Arrive around dusk. You get the light-up moment, with plenty of time to browse before peak evening crowds.
• Dress for the cold. Most markets are outdoors. Layers, warm boots and gloves make a long evening far more fun.
• Bring a bag. Ornaments and glassware are fragile. A tote with some padding saves breakages on the way home.
• Book flights early. If you're flying to a market city, holiday fares tend to rise as December approaches. Our guide to Christmas flights in 2026 explains when to book.
• Check the official site the day you go. Weather can change hours, especially at outdoor markets in cold or snowy areas.

Shopping for someone who loves to travel? Our list of the best Christmas gifts for travelers has ideas that pack well.

FAQ: US Christmas Markets 2026

What is the biggest Christmas market in the US?

Chicago's Christkindlmarket is often described as the largest open-air Christmas market in the country, drawing more than a million visitors a year. It celebrates its 30th season in 2026.

Which US Christmas markets are open now?

Bryant Park Winter Village in New York opened on October 28, 2026. Bethlehem opens November 13, and most other major markets open the weekend before or after Thanksgiving.

Are US Christmas markets free to visit?

Most are free to enter, including Philadelphia's Christmas Village and Bryant Park. Some charge for extras such as ice skating, igloo rentals or special events, so check before you go.

Which Christmas markets are open after Christmas in 2026?

Philadelphia's Christmas Village stays open through December 27. Silverton and Cambria run through December 31, and Bryant Park Winter Village stays open until February 28, 2027.

When is the Bethlehem Christkindlmarkt in 2026?

Bethlehem's Christkindlmarkt runs on weekends from November 13 to December 20, 2026, at the SteelStacks campus.

Bottom line: Pick your market, check its days and hours, and go early in the season if you can. Glühwein tastes better when you're not stuck in a crowd.

Sources

• Quartz: The 10 most charming Christmas markets in the U.S. to visit in 2026
• ArtsQuest: Christkindlmarkt returns for 34th year
• Christmas Village in Philadelphia: 2026 press releases
• City of Arlington: Texas Christkindl Market returns
• Carmel Christkindlmarkt: official site and hours
• TravelPirates: Christmas markets in the US to visit in 2026

Featured image: Photo: Christmas Village in Philadelphia / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (with text overlay added by Trend Ranker).