The right Christmas market is the one that is open when you can go. A late-November trip, a December weekend and a visit after Christmas can lead to very different shortlists.
This guide compares 10 Christmas markets in the U.S. for 2026 by dates, trading days and admission. Start with the calendar, then choose the setting: a downtown plaza, a waterfront village or a market weekend with time to explore the surrounding city.
The quick decision
- Before mid-November: start with Bryant Park in New York; its Holiday Shops open October 28.
- After Christmas: consider New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore or Chicago’s Wrigleyville location. Their closing dates differ.
- For a weekend: Saint Paul runs Friday–Sunday. Bethlehem also adds Thursdays in December.
- For free entry: most choices below have it. Bethlehem usually requires a ticket, while Baltimore charges adults for its heated tent on selected weekends.
How we chose these markets
Each selection has multiple seasonal vendors, a recurring schedule across several weeks and published 2026 dates. We include outdoor markets and events with heated tents, and group them geographically rather than rank them. Chicago’s two city locations count as one selection, with separate calendars.
Market calendars checked: November 2, 2026. The dates below come from organizers; entry details also use the local tourism authority where noted. Follow the linked official pages before booking and again on your visit day, since holiday hours and weather closures can change.
YOUR 2026 HOLIDAY SHORTLIST
Find a Christmas market
for your trip
Choose a region and when you’re travelling. Find the markets in this guide with at least one scheduled opening day during your visit.
A match means at least one opening day in your chosen period, not every day. Weekend-only schedules and published holiday closures are included. Chicago counts as one pick, with two separate market calendars.
The finder needs JavaScript. You can always use the complete date table below.
Dates to confirm
Official calendars checked November 2, 2026. Dates are local to each market. Check the organizer’s current hours and any weather closures before travelling. This finder covers the 10 picks in this guide.
2026 Christmas market dates at a glance
Dates are in 2026 unless marked otherwise. A season’s start and end dates do not mean the market opens every day. On a small screen, swipe the table sideways.
| Market | Season | Trading days | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York — Bryant Park | Oct 28–Jan 3, 2027 | Daily Holiday Shops | Free to browse; skating extras separate |
| Philadelphia | Nov 21–Dec 27 | Closed Nov 23–25 and Dec 25 | Free |
| Bethlehem, PA | Nov 13–Dec 20 | Fri–Sun in November; Thu–Sun in December | Ticketed; free Friday evenings |
| Washington, D.C. | Nov 13–Dec 23 | Daily except Thanksgiving | Free |
| Baltimore | Nov 21–Dec 27 | Wed–Sun, plus Dec 21–22; closed Nov 25 and Dec 25 | Outdoor area free; tent fee on selected weekends |
| Chicago | Daley: Nov 20–Dec 24; Wrigleyville: Nov 20–Dec 31 | Daily; Wrigleyville closed Dec 25 | Free market entry |
| Carmel, IN | Nov 21–Dec 24 | Usually Wed–Sun; extra Dec 21–22 opening; Thanksgiving closed | Free |
| Saint Paul, MN | Nov 20–Dec 20 | Five Friday–Sunday weekends | Free |
| Arlington, TX | Nov 20–22 and Nov 27–Dec 23 | Opening weekend, then daily | Free |
| Denver | Nov 20–Dec 23 | Daily; shorter Thanksgiving hours | Free |
East Coast: five choices
1. New York: Bryant Park Holiday Shops
Choose Bryant Park if the market is one part of a Manhattan break, or if you want an early start to the season. Its kiosks sit within the park between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, so you can build an afternoon around browsing without committing the whole trip to one event.
The key distinction: the Holiday Shops run October 28–January 3. The rink’s longer season ends February 28, 2027; that is not the full market’s closing date. Some shops may stay later.
Regular shopping hours are 11 a.m.–8 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m.–8 p.m. on weekends. Opening day starts at noon. Skating needs a reservation; rental skates cost extra.
Check the official Bryant Park calendar. For accommodation, compare the walk or subway journey to the park with the other places on your itinerary. For a full city break, follow our three-day New York Christmas itinerary, with Rockefeller Center, holiday windows and a separate Dyker Heights evening.
2. Philadelphia: Christmas Village
Philadelphia suits a city break where the market and other downtown stops share the same base. Christmas Village operates around LOVE Park and City Hall from November 21 through December 27, with free admission.
The important gap is immediately after opening weekend: November 23–25 are closed. Christmas Day is also closed. Regular hours are noon–8 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and noon–9 p.m. Friday–Saturday.
If your trip falls between Christmas and New Year, target December 26 or 27. A Center City base can keep the market visit simple, but compare the actual route from the hotel rather than rely on a broad neighborhood label.
Official Philadelphia dates and holiday hours.
3. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: Christkindlmarkt
Choose Bethlehem for a trip built around the market itself. Christkindlmarkt takes place at the SteelStacks campus; use that location when planning transport and accommodation.
It opens on November 13–15, 20–22 and 27–29, then December 3–6, 10–13 and 17–20. Calling it simply a weekend market would miss the December Thursdays.
Admission normally requires a ticket, but Friday entry from 5–8 p.m. is free. This can change the budget for a family or group, although it also gives you a shorter visit window. Check the current ticket terms and full daily hours before choosing that option. Bring a card or mobile payment for admission, food, drinks and official merchandise; individual artisan stalls may accept cash.
Official market dates · Tickets and free-entry information.
4. Washington, D.C.: DowntownDC Holiday Market
The DowntownDC Holiday Market works as an afternoon or evening addition to a Washington trip. It occupies F Street NW between 7th and 9th Streets, close to Gallery Place–Chinatown Metro.
The season runs November 13–December 23, with free entry and a Thanksgiving closure. Regular hours are noon–8 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Friday–Saturday and 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sunday.
Affiliate disclosure: If you book through this link, BoardingNotes may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Choose a hotel by its walking route or Metro connection. A market visit is easier to fit around sightseeing when getting back to your room does not require another long journey. You can compare Washington, D.C. accommodation on Booking.com; confirm your dates, guest count, exact property address, total price and cancellation terms. This is a city accommodation search, not a guarantee of walking distance to the market.
Official DowntownDC schedule · Admission and visitor information.
5. Baltimore: Christmas Village at the Inner Harbor
Baltimore is useful if you want both waterfront stalls and somewhere heated to browse. The village at West Shore Park runs November 21–December 27, with outdoor booths and a festival tent.
It is not open every day. Mondays and Tuesdays are closed except December 21–22; November 25 and Christmas Day are also closed. Regular hours are noon–8 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and noon–9 p.m. Friday–Saturday.
The outdoor area is free. Tent admission is free on weekdays and opening weekend; on selected other weekend days, adults 18 and over need a $5 season pass. Under-18s enter free.
An Inner Harbor base puts the venue close at hand. Check the official dates and admission rules before choosing a day.
Midwest: Chicago, Carmel and Saint Paul
6. Chicago: Daley Plaza or Wrigleyville
Chicago gives you two city settings, but they are not interchangeable late in the season. Daley Plaza closes December 24; Wrigleyville continues through December 31 and closes on Christmas Day. Both open November 20 and offer free market admission.
Choose Daley Plaza for a downtown itinerary. It opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. Sunday–Thursday or 9 p.m. Friday–Saturday. Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve finish at 4 p.m.
Choose Wrigleyville at Gallagher Way if you are staying nearby or traveling after Christmas. Regular hours are 3–9 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Friday–Saturday and 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Sunday. December 21–23 and 28–30 have extended 11 a.m.–9 p.m. hours; Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve end at 4 p.m.
For a short break, pick one market first and keep the second optional. Check Daley Plaza and Wrigleyville separately.
7. Carmel, Indiana: Carmel Christkindlmarkt
Carmel suits a market-focused outing, especially if you would rather keep shopping, food and an optional skating session in one area. Market admission and parking are free; the ice rink is a separate activity.
The season is November 21–December 24. Regular hours are 4–9 p.m. Wednesday–Thursday, noon–9 p.m. Friday–Saturday and noon–8 p.m. Sunday. Thanksgiving is closed.
There are useful exceptions: November 25 and December 21–23 open noon–9 p.m.; Christmas Eve opens noon–4 p.m. Those Monday and Tuesday dates near Christmas add options beyond the usual weekly pattern.
If you are making an Indianapolis-area trip, compare the journey to Carmel when choosing your base. Check the official hours and visitor information.
8. Saint Paul, Minnesota: European Christmas Market
Saint Paul is a clear choice for a dedicated December weekend. The European Christmas Market occupies Union Depot’s East Plaza and opens for five Friday–Sunday weekends, November 20–December 20.
Entry is free. Hours are 3–9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday, with an earlier 1 p.m. opening on Friday, November 27.
Three warming tents offer breaks from the outdoor setting, but plan clothes and footwear for time outside. Keep a backup indoor activity so a weather change does not leave the day dependent on one event.
Look at Lowertown or downtown options by their route to Union Depot. The official FAQ covers dates, access and weather updates.
Texas and Colorado
9. Arlington, Texas: Texas Christkindl Market
Arlington offers a southern option for travelers already planning a Dallas–Fort Worth visit. The Texas Christkindl Market is at 1650 E. Randol Mill Road.
The organizer’s main calendar lists two periods: November 20–22, then November 27–December 23. Its official market subpage instead extends the first period through November 23. Confirm November 23 directly with the organizer; November 24–26 is outside both published versions. Arlington’s tourism authority lists it as a free event.
The official market subpage lists 11 a.m.–8 p.m. for 2026. Because the organizer’s pages disagree on November 23 and still contain older calendar text, reconfirm both the date and hours for your visit. For accommodation, compare the complete journey from your base with your other plans around the metro area.
Official Texas market dates · Arlington tourism information.
10. Denver: Christkindlmarket at Tivoli Quad
Denver’s 2026 market is at Tivoli Quad on the Auraria Campus, so use that venue when mapping the trip. It runs November 20–December 23 and is free to enter.
Regular hours are 1–9 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Friday–Sunday. From December 17–23, the market opens daily at 11 a.m. Thanksgiving is shorter, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
If the market is part of a wider Colorado trip, give it its own unhurried block of time rather than squeeze it between a long arrival journey and another reservation. A downtown stay may work well, but check the route to Tivoli Quad for the specific property.
Official Denver location, dates and hours.
Thanksgiving, Christmas and late December
Holiday travel needs a day-specific check. Use these exceptions to narrow your choice:
- Thanksgiving, November 26: Philadelphia opens 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Baltimore noon–5 p.m.; Denver and both Chicago locations 11 a.m.–4 p.m.; Bryant Park’s shops 11 a.m.–8 p.m. DowntownDC and Carmel are closed.
- Christmas Day: Bryant Park’s Holiday Shops list noon–5 p.m. Philadelphia, Baltimore and Wrigleyville are closed; the other selections have finished their seasons.
- December 26–27: New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Wrigleyville remain options.
- December 28–31: narrow this list to New York and Wrigleyville. Wrigleyville closes at 4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve; Bryant Park warns that the park may close before its advertised evening time.
- January 1–3, 2027: Bryant Park is the remaining full Holiday Shops season in this list. New Year’s Day hours are 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Plan a short market trip
Choose the market date before the hotel. Then build the trip around one main visit, with enough time to eat, browse and stop somewhere warm. Two nights can give you an arrival evening, a full day and a departure morning; the useful amount of time depends on your travel schedule.
Plan a short market trip
Find a stay for your chosen city
Enter your chosen U.S. city, dates, and guest count. Check the property’s exact address and journey to the market, total price, and cancellation conditions.
This opens a general accommodation search, not preselected market-area results. A city label alone does not mean the hotel is within walking distance.
Affiliate link: BoardingNotes may earn a commission if you purchase through this link.
Search accommodation on Booking.com- Keep the route compact. Affiliate disclosure: If you book through this link, BoardingNotes may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. For one weekend, choose one city. If you want two nearby cities, compare the actual transport schedule and door-to-door time before adding the second. For a Northeast trip between New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., compare trains and buses on Omio. This opens a general search: enter your departure city, destination and travel date, then check stations, transfers, baggage and ticket conditions.
- Budget beyond admission. Food, drinks, shopping, parking and activities can matter more than the entry fee. Our travel budget guide helps separate those costs.
- Check the hotel’s full price and cancellation terms. Include parking or local transport in the comparison. Use our hotel booking checklist before confirming.
- Pack for standing outdoors. Choose layers, a weather-resistant outer layer, gloves and comfortable shoes with suitable grip. Check the local forecast rather than assume every market will have snow.
- Keep one alternative. Affiliate disclosure: If you book through this link, BoardingNotes may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. An indoor visit or flexible meal reservation can make a short trip work when weather changes the market plan. If you want a separate paid sightseeing stop in New York or Chicago, you can browse U.S. tickets and experiences on Tiqets. Browse the United States collection and choose New York or Chicago; check your date, timed-entry rules, what is included and cancellation terms. Top of the Rock in New York and Skydeck Chicago are options to research, not included market admission or guaranteed holiday availability. These paid activities are optional and separate from the Christmas markets.
Visiting the U.S. from abroad?
Affiliate disclosure: If you purchase through this link, BoardingNotes may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. If your existing mobile plan does not cover the trip, you can browse United States eSIM plans. Check that your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible, the coverage suits your route, and the data allowance and validity match your trip. Compare with your current roaming plan before buying. For the device, activation and home-line checks, use our international eSIM guide before choosing a plan.
Considering a trip across the border?
On a three-day winter trip to Québec City, leave an evening for the German Christmas Market. Its published 2026 season is November 19–December 23, generally Thursday–Sunday with additional opening December 21–23. Check the official Québec City calendar and allow for international travel planning; our international travel checklist covers the preparation.
If you are considering Europe instead, our Prague or Vienna Christmas market comparison also starts with the dates that change the decision.
Frequently asked questions
Which U.S. Christmas market opens first in 2026?
Among these selections, Bryant Park’s Holiday Shops open first, on October 28. That makes New York the starting point for an October or early-November market trip.
Which markets stay open after Christmas?
Four selections have post-Christmas dates: New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Chicago’s Wrigleyville location. Check the late-December section above; they do not all continue to New Year.
Are Christmas markets free to enter?
Many are, but a free market does not make every activity free. Bethlehem normally has paid admission with a free Friday-evening window, while Baltimore’s outdoor and tent areas follow different entry rules. Skating, rides and special events may cost extra.
Are the markets open every weekday?
No. Saint Paul is a Friday–Sunday event, Bethlehem has selected dates, and Carmel and Baltimore have recurring closed days with exceptions. Use the trading-days column, not just the season’s date range.
How much time should I allow?
As a planning starting point, allow two or three hours to browse and eat, then add time for a reserved activity or a busy queue. That is an itinerary allowance, not a promise about the size or pace of every market.
Will there be snow?
Do not book a market trip on that assumption. Weather varies by city and day. Check the forecast and the organizer’s latest notices, and plan a visit you would still enjoy without snowfall.
Before you go
Save the official page for the market you choose, check the exact trading day and note any ticket or holiday-hour exception. Book a base that makes the return journey easy, leave room in the budget for the stalls, and give yourself time to enjoy the visit.