The Christmas market is a centuries-old German Christmas tradition ignited by the need to procure food and goods during the cold winter months of Medieval Europe. A festive holiday atmosphere featuring holiday foods, handcrafts by local artisans, and Christmas decorations galore made the Christmas market a popular mainstay throughout Europe that eventually spread to the United States. Today, Christmas markets closely resembling those held in Germany are organized across the United States every December. To help you get in on the action this December, here is my pick for the top six best German Christmas markets in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.
New York City, New York
Union Square Christmas Market
Nestled next to the popular Chelsea and Greenwich Village areas of Manhattan, Union Square is a charming historic square surrounded by classy residential skyscrapers. From November to December, it transforms into a bustling Christmas market selling gifts and delicious snacks. It gets very crowded over the weekend, so plan your trip during off-peak hours for the best experience.
Other than that, what can I say? It’s New York City! Take a spin around town and check out the Christmas decorations after shopping to your heart’s content at the Christmas market.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Christkindlmarkt
Widely recognized as one of the best Christmas markets in the United States, the Bethlehem Christkindl Market is a festival befitting a town named after the famous Christmas town. This market features handcrafts from local artisans as well as a plethora of imported German Christmas decorations from famous Käthe Wohlfahrt.
Basic admission to the Christmas market is $15 at the door or $14 online, whereas most other markets are free. You get what you pay for, however, and it’s the live events and entertainment that set this German-style Christmas market apart from the rest. Kids can have breakfast with St Nick or have fun drawing at the Crayola station and adults can learn to blow ornaments from hot glass – just to name a few. The ice-skating rink, although not included in your ticket price, is just a hop skip and a jump away too.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Peoples Gas Holiday Market
Located at the heart of downtown Pittsburgh in Market Square, this Christmas market features a festive atmosphere with countless vendors to choose from. Live performances are also offered during peak visiting hours – mainly on weekends, on weekday evenings, and at lunch times during the week. There is always a giant Christmas tree to admire and plenty of snacks to sustain you.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Christmas Village in Philadelphia
As a local to the Philadelphia area, this Christmas market is dear to my heart. It bills itself as an authentic German Christmas market and is nestled in the heart of the city between the famous Love Park and beautiful City Hall. Visitors can take advantage of the temporary ice-skating rink right next to City Hall and step inside the neighboring cabin for a bite to eat when they get cold. There are countless snacks and local vendors to choose from – some of them more German-themed than others. The Käthe Wolfahrt store also makes an appearance at this Christmas market, so you can get your German Christmas ornament fix. Kids looking for a bit of fun can take a spin on the historic carousel in the middle of it all.
Baltimore, Maryland
Christmas Village in Baltimore
This Christmas market held at the Baltimore Inner Harbor is festively decorated with hundreds of Christmas lights and an enormous Weihnachtspyramide (Christmas Pyramid) housing the Glühwein (mulled wine) booth. It features vendors offering European cuisine as well as handicrafts from local craftsmen and women. Kids, families, and fun-loving singles can take a spin on the Ferris wheel or ride the carousel. At the heart of the Christmas market is a stage with live performances offered daily. Ornaments from the Käthe Wohlfahrt store are just a line wait away at this Christmas market as well.
Washington, DC
Downtown Holiday Market
Located in the heart of the city on F Street NW between 7th and 9th Streets, the entrance to this Christmas market is right next to the National Portrait Gallery. Regular live performances by local artists enliven the space, while over 70 exhibitors selling local handicrafts, gifts, and food make up the meat of the market. This market is so close to the most popular landmarks in DC, you might even want to use it as a starting point to explore Washington, DC at Christmas time.