Best Christmas Market 2026
Mulled wine, twinkling lights and the scent of roasted nuts fill the air at these festive markets, where every stall tells a story of craftsmanship and community. From city parks to seaside promenades, visitors browse handmade gifts, sample regional delicacies and linger by fire pits as carolers sing familiar tunes. Some emulate centuries-old European traditions; others reinvent them with local flair. Whether you're sipping glühwein, skating beneath skyscrapers or meeting artisans face-to-face, these markets prove that the true spirit of the season still thrives wherever people gather to shop, share and celebrate together.
Newsweek is proud to recognize this year's 10 standout Christmas markets—selected by our expert panelists and contributors and voted on by readers for their exceptional quality and distinctive excellence. Each has been officially recognized by Newsweek as one of the Best Christmas Markets of 2026.
1. Winterfest | El Paso, TX
Downtown El Paso sparkles during Winterfest, where a Christmas market lines the streets with crafts, lights and global flavors. Families skate under desert stars, shop artisan booths and ride illuminated trolleys past historic plazas. Blending Mexican and American holiday traditions, it's a borderland celebration rich in color, music and warmth.
2. Carmel Christkindlmarkt | Carmel, IN
Indiana's Carmel Christkindlmarkt channels German tradition with 60-plus huts, live artisan demos and more than 180 hours of free music. Visitors sip glühwein beneath a towering, 33-foot Glühwein Pyramid—the first of its kind in the U.S.—and browse handmade gifts and regional specialties. With skating nearby and nonprofit programming, it's a joyful, authentically crafted market that blends culture, community and Midwest warmth all season.
3. Armadillo Christmas Bazaar | Austin, TX
Celebrating its 50th season, Austin's Armadillo Christmas Bazaar blends fine art, quality gifts and a daily live-music lineup under one festive roof. Shoppers meet top artists, discover standout pieces and grab clever stocking stuffers, all in an upbeat, design-forward setting. A proving ground for Austin creativity, "Armadillo" turns holiday buying into a cultural hangout where audiences, makers and musicians connect and keep the city's creative spirit glowing.
4. ROC Holiday Village | Rochester, NY
Rochester's ROC Holiday Village turns downtown into a free, family-friendly winter festival with artisan huts, skating, music and Santa's Workshop. A heated lodge and fire pits invite lingering, while programs like The Giving Cup raise funds for local nonprofits. Supporting 100-plus small businesses and makers, the event blends European-style charm with hometown spirit, welcoming returning families and first-timers to build new traditions together.
5. Christkindlmarket | Chicago, IL
Chicago's Christkindlmarket brings Old World cheer to Daley Plaza with Bavarian-style stalls, handmade goods and collectible annual mugs. Visitors sip steaming glühwein, browse ornaments and toys, and take in downtown's skyline glow, often across multiple city locations. Admission-free and tradition-rich, the market mixes global vendors, cultural performances and cozy fare, creating a festive hub where locals and travelers return year after year to celebrate together.
6. Maker's Market | Solvang, CA
Set in Solvang's storybook Danish village, the Maker's Market brings California sunshine to European tradition. Visitors stroll cobblestone lanes past local artisans selling ceramics, candles and jewelry. Santa greets children by the windmill while bakeries serve aebleskivers and gløgg. It's the perfect blend of craft, community and cultural charm.
7. Bank of America Winter Village at
Bryant Park | New York, NY
In the heart of Manhattan, Bryant Park's Winter Village blends city energy with classic holiday charm. Dozens of glass-walled boutiques line the rink, offering everything from artisanal chocolates to handmade jewelry. Skaters glide under skyscrapers while the scent of cider fills the air. With curling lanes, cozy igloos and lights on the library façade, it's New York's most magical mix of shopping and sparkle.
8. DowntownDC Holiday Market
| Washington, D.C.
Stretching along F Street, DowntownDC Holiday Market shines with over 115 rotating vendors offering art, apparel and international gifts. Live jazz and gospel fill the air as visitors sip cider between booths. Located near the National Portrait Gallery, it's a cultural crossroads where holiday cheer meets city sophistication.
9. Christkindlmarkt | Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati embraces its German roots with a Christkindlmarkt of wooden stalls, traditional fare and live music. Guests enjoy bratwurst, pretzels and imported crafts beneath strings of golden lights. The city's heritage comes alive with every mug of mulled wine and chorus of carols.
TIE 10. Christmas Village | Philadelphia, PA
Set against historic City Hall, Philadelphia's Christmas Village channels the warmth of Europe with rows of wooden huts selling ornaments, wool goods and hearty fare. Visitors sip mulled wine as choirs perform onstage and the carousel spins beside the skating rink. It's festive and family-friendly, combining Old World style with Philly pride.
TIE 10. Union Square Holiday Market
by Urbanspace | New York, NY
Union Square's Holiday Market turns a beloved farmers' market into a festive labyrinth of more than 150 local vendors. Artisans sell candles, textiles and sweets while the park glows beneath the city lights. Hot cider stands and handmade gifts make it an urban retreat amid the bustle. Equal parts community and commerce, it's a true New York winter tradition.
FINALISTS
Century City Holiday Village | Los Angeles, CA
Craft Lake City Holiday Market | Ogden, UT
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair | San Francisco, CA
Winter Market at Washington Park | Cincinnati, OH
About Newsweek Readers' Choice™ Awards
Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readers.choice@newsweek.com.
Our Featured Panelists
Linnea Bailey
Linnea Bailey is an award-winning journalist specializing in travel and tourism. Her freelance work can be found in Southern Living, The Palm Beach Post, Florida Weekly, Modern Luxury, art&culture magazine, The Palm Beaches Blog and more. A former newspaper reporter, she now owns a communications company in West Palm Beach. Linnea is an active member of The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the North American Travel Journalists Association, the International Travel Writers Alliance, The Family Travel Association and The Adventure Travel Trade Association. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida's journalism school. Learn more about her travels at www.linneabailey.com.
Chez Chesak
Chez Chesak is an award-winning adventure travel writer, 29-year veteran of the outdoor industry, Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America and President of The Society of American Travel Writers' Central States Chapter. Learn more about him at www.chezconnects.com.
Marla Cimini
Marla Cimini is an award-winning writer and content creator who is passionate about travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures. An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), European getaways and incredible domestic and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Residing in New Jersey (Philadelphia area), Marla is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California and covers those destinations often. Follow her adventures at marlacimini.com.
Laurie Jo Miller Farr
An award-winning contributor to luxury lifestyle and travel magazines, Laurie Jo Miller Farr specializes in deluxe hotels and destination marketing. Based in New York City, she is a dual U.S./U.K. citizen, having spent half a lifetime in London. Formerly serving as the tourism promotion director for the city's official tourism boards in both NYC and Boston, she recently relocated from San Francisco, where she edited a weekly travel newsletter and co-hosted a podcast. Follow her @lauriejmfarr.
Mary Jo Manzanares
Mary Jo Manzanares is a digital travel content creator, author and avid traveler. She's at home in Seattle, with bags packed, ready for the next great adventure. She writes at www.travelingwithmj.com and is a member of SATW.
Catherine Parker
Catherine Parker has a passion for travel that's driven her across North America, visiting all 50 states, seven Canadian provinces and seven Mexican states as well as top destinations in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. After graduating from the University of Houston, Catherine started her career in travel and tourism as a flight attendant. A writer for over 10 years, she maintains an active roster of national publications. Catherine also publishes a travel website, CarfulOfKids.com. Her favorite places are national parks, museums and sidewalk cafés. She's torn between a weekend in the mountains or the beach.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie Davis Smith is a writer and attorney from Philadelphia who now calls Washington, D.C. home. She's traveled to more than 90 countries, often bringing her children along on her adventures. Her work can be found in The Washington Post, National Geographic, Travel + Leisure, Afar, The Huffington Post, USA Today and many other publications. Jamie can be contacted at byjamiesmith@gmail.com, and posts about her travels on Instagram.
Jacky Runice
When Jacky took her first flight at age 17 to Spain, she hadn't stepped a foot outside of Chicago. As a broadcast journalist for 20 years, she always managed to bring her travels back to her Chicago audience with radio documentaries about the culture and characters of places she visited. She transitioned to print journalism (syndicated travel column via Tribune Media Services and Travel Columnist for the Daily Herald Chicago) and then to the web where she has written for numerous outlets such as CBS, LuxuryHotels.com, Examiner.com, AOL, USA Today and others. Follow her on Facebook.
Newsweek contributors speak from a variety of backgrounds and offer expertise in a wide range of subject areas.