#Christmasmarket Archives - The Nitty Gritty Travel OT

Christmas Markets in New York City (And Beyond)

New York is always magical, but the magic truly comes alive at Christmas time. From the millions of sparkling lights to bustling events, New York City has so much to do for the holidays. However, one of my favorite festive activities are exploring charming Christmas markets. So, without further ado, here’s the ultimate list of Christmas Markets in New York City (and beyond) to check out now and in the future!

Disclosure: This blog post has affiliate links which means if you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at NO additional cost to you. These are my own personal suggestions based on products/experiences I love and use. Read the full disclosure here.

Christmas Markets in New York City

If you find yourself visiting The Big Apple during November or December, you’re in luck! There are SO many fun and festive holiday markets to check out. Whether you are looking to support local vendors or simply take in the holiday cheer, these Christmas markets in New York City should not be missed!

alt txt = "Decorated Christmas tree surrounded by tall buildings, black statues and a water pond in New York City".

1. Winter Village at Bryant Park

Address: Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Dates: October 25, 2024 – January 5, 2025

Located near Midtown, this market offers more than just shopping. You can ice skate with the NYC skyline behind you (which I’ve done here), challenge your friends to an iceless game of curling, or enjoy a meal inside a private igloo.

The European-styled shops are open from late October through early January, but everything else stays open until March. FYI, Central Park also offers a cool ice skating experience in case you can’t make it to Bryant Park. This fun experience also includes a tour of St. Patrick’s Cathedral as well as ice skating at Central Park.

alt txt = "People ice skating at night surrounded by white igloos and tall buildings at Bryant Park".

2. Grand Central Holiday Fair

Address: 89 E 42nd Street New York, NY 10017
Dates: November 11th – December 24th, 2024

Set in the beautiful Vanderbilt Hall, this indoor market is a must for holiday shoppers looking to escape the cold (winters in NYC are chilly!) It’s open from mid-November until Christmas Eve, with handcrafted goods from dozens of artisans.

Bonus! After shopping, be sure to bring your gifts to the Grand Boutique for complimentary wrapping. If you’re like me and you like to learn the history of where you’re visiting, check out this Grand Central Terminal and Summit One tour which will enthrall you.

3. Holiday Market at the Oculus

Address: 185 Greenwich Street New York, New York 10007
Dates: November 25th- January 2nd

The Holiday Market at the Oculus is the perfect place to shop for unique Christmas gifts, snap those Instagramable photos, and taste some festive food. In past years, I’ve especially enjoyed the roaming carolers to really spread that Christmas cheer.

This market is held in the Westfield’s World Trade Center and runs from the end of November to January 2nd. It’s open 7 days a week!

alt txt = "A group of people standing surrounded by Christmas lights in New York City".

4. Wallabout Wonderland Holiday Market

Address: Brooklyn Navy Yard
Dates: Saturday, December 7 – Sunday, December 8

For one weekend only, you can stroll through the festive rows of over 200 local vendors! In addition to shopping, you’ll also find family-friendly activities (anyone up for a cookie decorating contest?), family portraits, DIY stations, and even a sports and wellness center.

There’s even a shuttle bus that runs every 15 minutes from the Atlantic Terminal shuttle stop so you won’t have to worry about parking hassles or long walks. Or, you can park onsite for $10. After the holiday market, I’d highly recommend checking out Dyker Heights in Brooklyn to see the spectacular Christmas decorations. I used to go here all the time as a child, so I’m hoping you can also check it out with this tour.

Christmas Markets in New York

Looking to venture a bit outside of the city? Here are some of the best Christmas markets throughout the state of New York. It sounds like the perfect festive road trip to me. Who’s in?

1. Holidays in the Market (Buffalo)

Address: 444 Forest Ave Buffalo, NY 14213
Dates: November 29th- December 22nd
Distance from NYC: 7 hours

Although Buffalo is a long way from NYC, this holiday market is a must on anyone’s Christmas in New York’s bucket list. It’s held at the beautiful Richardson Olmsted Campus and runs from November 29th to December 22nd.

While exploring, you’ll find many local vendors housed in the cutest wooden chalets. It brings all the European Christmas market vibes right to New York. There’s also live music, carriage rides, kids activities, and of course visits from Santa Claus. If you’d like to check out Buffalo’s top Christmas sites during the season, this tour is for you.

Before you leave Buffalo, make sure to check out Niagara Falls, and a Buffalo Bills or Buffalo Sabres game.

2. Holiday Village Stroll (Lake Placid)

Address: Lake Placid (various locations)
Dates: December 13-14
Distance from NYC: 5 hours

This 3-day event is more of a celebration than simply a Christmas market. It’s situated in the beautiful Adirondacks (one of the most beautiful places in the state in my opinion) and features a Christmas tree lighting, a skating party, photos with Santa, free holiday movies, and so much more!

You’ll definitely feel as though you’ve entered a Hallmark Christmas movie scene. If you have more time, I’d highly recommend seeing more of Lake Placid. With this tour, you’ll be picked up directly from NYC for a 2 day trip seeing natural wonders such as Whiteface Mountain and High Falls Gorge.

alt txt = "Tall green tree frosted with white snow in Lake Placid".

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3. Christkindlmarkt (Poughkeepsie)

Address: 37 Old DeGarmo Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Dates: November 22 and November 23rd
Distance from NYC: ~2 hours

Spending a Christmas in Germany is definitely high up on my bucket list but for now…I’m forever scoping out the Christmas markets in New York that are modeled after the charming country. The Christkindlmarkt at Germania of Poughkeepsie offers traditional German holiday treats, crafts, and ornaments, giving visitors a taste of an authentic European-style Christmas market.

It only runs for 2 days, so if you find yourself in Poughkeepsie on the right dates, definitely add it to your list!

4. Italian Christmas Market (Albany)

Address: American Italian Heritage Museum
Dates: November 30- December 2nd
Distance from NYC: 2.5 hours

If you would like to continue your “Europe” tour right here in New York, then do not miss Albany’s Italian Christmas Market. The Albany American Italian Heritage Museum transforms into a winter wonderland and celebrates all things Italian.

You’ll find Italian holiday traditions with Italian-made decorations, sweets, and a special Christmas nativity exhibit. While in Albany, don’t forget to take a scenic tour of the Hudson River after checking out the market for an unforgettable experience.

alt txt = "People shopping and walking in Christmas market during winter".

Christmas Markets in New York City and Beyond Recap

What a magical list! I know I’m ready for the holiday season to be in full swing. I can’t wait to be aimlessly strolling down the market rows while soaking in all the Christmas magic. Anyone else?

If so, here’s a quick recap of the best Christmas Markets in NYC and beyond. Which one will you check out first?!

Christmas Markets in New York City

1. Winter Village at Bryant Park ( October 25 – January 5)

2. Grand Central Holiday Fair (November 11th – December 24th)

3. Holiday Market at the Oculus (November 25th-January 2nd)

4. Wallabout Wonderland Holiday Market (December 7th-8th)

Christmas Markets in New York

1. Holidays in the Market (November 29th- December 22nd)

2. Holiday Village Stroll (December 13- 14)

3. Christkindlmarkt (November 22-November 23)

4. Italian Christmas Market (November 30th-December 2nd)

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Final Thoughts

I’ve said it countless times before, but New York is truly the most magical (and best) place to be during the holidays. Which Christmas market will you be visiting first? Did you learn anything new or have any feedback? Let me know. Please comment below and don’t forget to subscribe here.

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alt txt = "Christmas market Pinterest pin with a snow globe, decorations and brown shops".

Photo Credit

Thank you to Jess Sanchez for the Rockefeller Center photo, Jen Dries for the Manhattan photo, Johnell Pannell for the Bryant Park Winter Village photo, Richard Bell for the market photo, Jay Joshi for the ornament photo by Radio City Music Hall and Aditya Siva for the Lake Placid photo. I discovered their work from Unsplash.com. Please check them out!

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Disclosure

This blog post has affiliate links which means if you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission. This commission comes at NO additional cost to you. These are my own personal suggestions based on products/experiences I love and use. Read the full disclosure here.

Covid-19 Disclaimer: The recommendations listed are based on my own suggestions and in no way endorses or condemns travel at this time. If you decide to take a trip, follow national and state guidelines, and of course the CDC when traveling.

This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Top 5 Christmas Markets to Visit Now in the US

Oftentimes when I think of Christmas markets, I think of Europe. How about you? If you agree, I’m pleased to announce that some of the best and most beautiful Christmas markets can also be found in the USA during holiday season. In fact, I’d even go as far to say that many of the best Christmas markets in the world can be found in the US. Without further ado, allow me to share some of my favorite markets with you that I can’t wait to visit and some that I have already visited. They aren’t in any particular order. Read on for more!

Disclosure: This blog post has affiliate links which means if you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at NO additional cost to you. These are my own personal suggestions based on products/experiences I love and use. Read the full disclosure here.

Covid-19 Disclaimer: The recommendations listed are based on my own suggestions and in no way endorses or condemns travel at this time. If you decide to take a trip, follow national and state guidelines, and of course the CDC when traveling.

1) Atlanta Christkindl Market

First on the list is the Atlanta Christkindl Market which is a German market within The Buckhead Village District. This market takes place in you guessed it…Atlanta, Georgia during Christmas time. This market is is not only a great place to get into the holiday spirit, but they also serve delicious German food and beverages.

You can also do some major shopping with more than 50 vendors, sample local foods, and snap a couple of pics with Santa to complete the holiday tradition. The market operates from November 26^th, 2021-January 2^nd, 2022 Monday-Thursday from 11:30am-9:30pm, Friday and Saturday from 11:30am-10:30pm, and Sunday from 11:30am-9:30pm (It will be closed Christmas Day).

One of the best parts about this market is that the admission is free and there’s a plethora of convenient parking options available. Feel free to check it out for yourself and let me know what you think! More information can be found here. Traveling to Atlanta for the first time and want to explore further? Take this tour which highlights the best of ATL.

Atlanta Christkindl Market — *Latkes stand*

2) Cambria Christmas Market

Second on the list is the Cambria Christmas Market located in Cambria, California. What makes this Christmas market so special is that they have 2 million Christmas lights and just from looking at the pictures alone, it’s truly a sight to see. Visiting this market gives you the opportunity to support the local artisans, buy unique gifts, sample delicious food and warm drinks. If you like hot apple cider, then you must experience the German hot spiced wine.

If you’re interested in staying longer than one visit, you can book a room at the Cambria Pines Lodge and eat a special themed dinner. The Christmas market dates are currently open from November 26^th, 2021-December 23^rd, 2021 from 5pm-8:30pm and complimentary shuttles are offered from the parking lot. Parking is available on a first come first serve basis. More information can be found here. If you enjoyed the hot spiced wine, then you’ll definitely enjoy this hop-on, hop-off wine tasting tour which covers 70 wineries.

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3) Bank of America Winter Village (Christmas Market) at Bryant Park

Now there was absolutely no way I could make a list of Christmas markets without including my hometown of NYC. Third on the list is the Christmas market (or Winter Village) at Bryant Park which is one of the most popular Christmas markets and is SO fun! There is a lot to do here including free ice skating at The Rink (you will need to bring your own skates and back pack), and delicious food options including one of my favorite pop-up shops Wafels and Dinges for hot Belgian waffles and hot chocolate.

Wafels and Dinges at Bank of America Winter Village Christmas Market in New York City — *Wafels and Dinges at the Bryant Park Christmas Market (Village) and wafel with spekuloos topping pictured.*

This is an open space market where you can not only shop local and more, but you can watch the skaters at the skating rink if you’re not quite up to getting on the ice rink. The shops are open from 11am-8pm, and are open from now until January 2^nd, 2022. The shops will close by 4pm on January 2^nd.

Just an FYI, Bryant Park is a great NYC destination all year round as there is always something going on. You won’t regret visiting any time of the year, especially during Christmas. Parking in the city can be quite difficult if you aren’t using a parking garage, so I would highly recommend public transportation.

Read more about the Bank of America Winter Village here. Admission is also free; you only pay for the activities and food. Still feeling festive? How about taking a Christmas holiday walking tour which includes some of the best Christmas sights in New York City. This tour is perfect for New Yorkers or tourists alike, but if you’d prefer to explore on your own you can take a short walk to Central Park. Even though I’m not a fan of cold weather, this is one of those Christmas traditions I really enjoy. Come to think of it, this is one of the first Christmas markets I’ve visited.

The Rink at Bryant Park in New York City Bank of America Winter Village Christmas Market — *Bryant Park Winter Village*

Friends at The Rink at Bryant Park Christmas Village — *Bryant Park Winter Village*

4) Christmas Village in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a cool city in the winter months and The Christmas Village in Philadelphia is no exception to the rule due to it’s festive atmosphere. This is my fourth recommendation and it is an outside German Christmas market with a historic carousel and Ferris wheel you can actually ride. This market has a large selection of savory treats, and drink options including beer, raclette stube, pretzels, and cider to name a few.

There’s plenty of shopping to keep you warm as you peruse the market as well. The Christmas village is currently open starting from November 25^th, 2021-December 24^th, 2021 and the hours of operation are from Sunday-Thursday 11am-7pm, Friday & Saturday from 11am-8pm, and Christmas Eve 11am-5pm. Parking is also difficult in PA, so I would suggest utilizing a parking garage or public transportation. Admission is free; you only pay for food, drink, shopping, and activities you partake in. Check out more general information here. In addition to visiting the market, did you know Philadelphia is a very popular city? Taking a bus tour is the perfect place to learn all about its history.

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5) European Christmas Market at Union Depot in Saint Paul, MN

Last but definitely not least, is the fifth recommendation on my list; the European Christmas Market in MN. This market aims to preserve and share European culture while serving delicious food, and hand crafted items. This is a free event so you’ll only pay for food, and items purchased while holiday shopping. If that alone doesn’t entice you, then you’ll be thrilled to know that there are different kinds of entertainment scheduled on each day the market is open, just refer to the calendar.

The market is officially open starting from starting from late November to the end of the year (November 26^th, 2021-December 19^th, 2021) and is only open on the weekends on Friday 4pm-9pm, Saturday 10am-8pm, and Sunday 11am-6pm. There’s plenty of parking available at this location so you won’t have to worry. Check it out for yourself here. Minnesota is not only a good place to visit, but it also has a great culinary scene. Aside from visiting this awesome market, how about checking out a food tour featuring delicious eats downtown? You wont regret it.

Bratwurst at Christmas Market — *Bratwurst*

Dressing Tips to Wear At Christmas Markets

These locations will be very cold when and if you decide to visit. I would recommend wearing a really warm scarf, hat, gloves, coat, and winter boots to help keep you warm and toasty.

Final Thoughts on Christmas Markets

That concludes my list of Christmas Markets to visit in the US. If you live in the United States like me, now you can experience the allure and grandeur of a European Christmas Market right here in the U.S! Christmas is truly a magical time, and I can’t think of a better way to enjoy picturesque markets, beautiful Christmas trees, and Christmas music. If you’ve visited any of my suggestions in this post, please write to me and tell me all about it. As always, thank you for reading. Did you learn anything new or have any feedback? Let me know. Please comment below and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Find me here: I’m on most social media, so let’s be friends! Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. Need suggestions on how to travel safely? More info here. Interested in how I spend the Christmas holiday? Check it out here. Want to know some of my must have travel items? Read more here. Having wanderlust, or traveling out of the country? Check out my detailed travel itineraries to Aruba, Belgium, London, Paris, and Amsterdam. Need resources related to blogging? Check out my tips on email marketing here and how to protect your blog here. Have a long flight planned and need tips on how to get through it? I’ve got you covered here.

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Blog Disclaimer

Disclosure: This blog post has affiliate links which means if you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at NO additional cost to you. These are my own personal suggestions based on products/experiences I love and use. Read the full disclosure here.

This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Photo Credits

Thank you Sheenamahsheensphotography for the photos on the Atlanta Christkindl Market, Tengyart for the hot mulled wine photo, Heidi Kaden on the hot cider photo, and Matt Seymour for the bratwurst photo. I discovered all of their work from Unsplash.com and Instagram. Please check them out!