50 Great Christmas Markets Around the World

Let's get the disclaimers out of the way first.

It's 2020, the coronavirus pandemic is still wreaking havoc throughout the world, and many of the 50 great Christmas markets on our list this year will have gone virtual, been greatly impacted by social distancing, or outright canceled.

No matter what, these markets have established themselves as some of the best in the world, and this year we were sure to add in more of the world with markets in Asia, South America and Africa in addition to Canada, Europe and, of course, the United States.

So please enjoy this list, try to hit some of the markets that are still being held - um, call ahead - and put some of these destinations on your bucket list for 2021 and beyond, when we're back to normal.

For more than 60 years, Georgetown, Colo., in the foothills of the Rockies, has hosted a Christmas market with numerous vendors selling their wares. But it's so much more than that. Over two weekends in December, Georgetown transforms into a winter wonderland of Victorian carolers, horsedrawn wagon rides and the beautiful Santa Lucia Children's Procession at Noon each day.

In suburban Dallas, the annual Texas Christkindl Market is a German-inspired holiday spectacular with some of the coolest, and rare, Christmas gifts, decorations and ornaments. There's also plenty of food and live entertainment, and more than enough stuff to keep the kids in awe. Including The Man himself, Santa.

Now, let's be honest here. When would a Christmas market in a town named Bethlehem NOT be a must-see? That's what the Christkindlmarket is like over a five-week period during the holidays. This might be one of the most diverse holiday markets in the country, and we love the ice-sculpting demonstrations they have.

At T-Mobile Park, welcome to Enchant Christmas! The heart of downtown Seattle turns into one of the world's largest light maze every year, led by a mischievous elf who has a heart of gold. You can warm up at The Ice Bar - trust us - before going skating, and then wrap up your night by spending a few dollars at the market.

Yet another great party where you can get your inner Heidi or Hans on. The Alpine Village Christmas Faire has the literal flavor of Germany running throughout its vendor, including its food and breads. It's a great family event held both indoors and outdoors.

If you're getting the idea that "German-themed" or "German-inspired" has been used a lot here, you're right. Here's another one - the Old World Christmas Market, which is loaded with authentic German gifts, food, ornaments and more. In fact, if you never purchase a gift it's worth it to come just for the European-style food court.

It's not called the City of Brotherly Love for nothing (although if you ever attend a sporting event you might wonder why). At Philadelphia's beloved LOVE Park, the Christmas Village is like stepping into a European Christmas market, with nearly 100 vendors selling gifts and food from all over.

Now this is unique. Yes, it's a market in terms of having plenty of vendors and food. But The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is an homage to Charles Dickens and "A Christmas Carol," with a trip back in time to Victorian London. It's an elaborate party with hundreds of costumed players performing and interacting with patrons as if you were celebrating the holiday in the 1800s.

Welcome to the Kerstmarkt, a European-inspired, open-air holiday market. Hosted annually by the Holland Friends of Art, you will find unique, hand-crafted gifts and ornaments. Try the mulled wine while you shop; it's definitely an acquired taste, to be sure.

The Union Square Holiday Market is nothing short of spectacular. Held at Union Square Park, bordered by 14th St. in Manhattan, the holiday market - which has an equally spectacular fruit and vegetable market in the spring, summer and fall - welcomes more than 200 vendors for Christmas. You can spend $5 here on an ornament or trinket. Or you can spend $5,000 on jewelry. Your call.

In midtown, the Winter Village at Bryant Park is in a beautiful setting, nestled right behind the New York City Public Library (so be sure to walk around the front to say hello to Patience and Fortitude, the two lions who stand guard in front of the library). In addition to the many vendors, the Village has a lovely skating rink, pop-up restaurants, and one of the top-rated restaurants in the city built into the back of the library, the Bryant Park Grill.

Here's a fun one that you can brave in any weather. In the midst of the bustling Grand Central Terminal railroad station is the Grand Central Holiday Fair, open every day for a month in Vanderbilt Hall next door to the main terminal. It's smaller than Union Square and Bryant Park, but more than worthy of your time.

The Windy City has been heavily influenced by a variety of European counties, none bigger perhaps than Germany (try the brats!). For 25 years, The Christkindlmarket has been a joy as it brings a little bit of Germany to Chicago. It's a combination of vendors selling gifts as well as some of the most savory food out there. Hit the Grand Timber Haus for a full-blown meal.

Head to the area where the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum are located for the annual Downtown Holiday Market. One of the great, and most unique, things about this market is that the vendors change every day. So you'll always have great choices.

They have schnapps for sale at the Christkindl Market in the Mile High City. No, really, the ultimate warm-you-up shot - along with other hot beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic - are available here. Oh, uh, yeah, there's also tons of food vendors and gift-sellers.

As if Baltimore's Inner Harbor isn't beautiful enough at any time, it transforms into The Christmas Village during the holiday season and lights up the waterfront. The great part is, in addition to all the vendors The Christmas Village is in a prime tourist spot with plenty of bars and restaurants around, in addition to the brick-and-mortar stores that are there year-round.

It's called Holidazzle, and that's exactly what it does. It dazzles. This Christmas market has often been described as a county fair on ice for its laid-back style and good eats. And, yes, it does have the ice - a skating rink, as well as a movie night and Christmas sing-a-longs.

Founded about a dozen years ago, the Christkindlmarkt in Alpine Helen has quickly grown in stature to become one of the most well-liked holiday markets in the U.S. It only runs for two weekends every year so you'll need to get there fairly quickly to make sure you find one-of-a-kind gifts.

So, yeah, you're not only seeing Christmas markets with a heavy German influence, but you'll actually see markets where Christmas is revered - IN Germany! The Dresden Striezelmarkt goes above and beyond with a staggering display of lights along the river. This is actually the oldest Christmas market in Germany and runs for a month, and you'll be dazzled by all the stalls filled with vendors selling everything from gifts to food.

This is actually a conglomeration of markets around the city, starting with the Charlottenburg Palace where kids can explore the winter forest on a train. In the city square, the Gendarmenmarkt as wood-carvers and dressmakers work on their crafts live. The Fairy-Tale Christmas Market at Jagdschloss Grunewald is a short wire from the city square.

The Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt dates back to 1458 - and that makes it still only the second-oldest Christmas market in Germany. The Marketplatz is the place to be with a whopping 300 stalls filled with folks selling their wares. There are lights, music, parades and an incredible atmosphere. Leipzig takes Christmas seriously - this is where the solemn Christmas hymn "Silent Night" was composed.

The Munchner Christkindlmarkt is just a lovely market that embodies everything about the holiday, including a little romance. That's how you'll be feeling as you make your way through the many vendor huts toward the giant Christmas tree in front of city hall, with more than 2,500 candles lighting the way.

Think quality here at the Hamburger Weihnachtsmarkt, not quantity. There are a little less than 100 vendors here but just the simple act of walking through Hamburg's ancient streets will transport you back in time. So will the hand-made gifts and ornaments, not to mention a winemaker on-site. Don't forget to schedule a visit with Father Time.

Now, can you get a better location for one of Europe's best Christmas markets than to have it in front of one of the most stunning cathedrals in Europe? Winchester Cathedral is your host for the Christmas Market, with its chalets filled with vendors all centered around a beautiful ice rink.

Unfortunately canceled this year, the Bath Christmas Market normally runs over 18 days and is annually one of the biggest shopping events in all of England. Like Winchester, the vendors each have their own dedicated wooden chalets in Bath's World Heritage Site.

This Christmas Market is held in several different spots in the city, including Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Republic Square, Namesti Miru Square and Tylovo Square. The Prague market is widely considered one of the best in all of Europe and features glassware, wooden toys, ceramics, craft items, candles and holiday decorations. Try a glass of svarak, a mulled wine.

Hard to beat religion and romance at Christmas when the variety of markets in the city are all in the shadow of the ruins of one of the world's greatest destinations as well as the Vatican, the home of the Catholic Church. Markets can be found at the Plaza Novona, Plaza Mazzini and Plaza Verdi.

The Liege Christmas Market is Belgium's largest and caters mostly to the French-speaking section of the country called Wallonia. So don't be surprised to shop in the market and sip on champagne, French wine, and eat foie gras as you shop for some of the nicest treasures around.

This is not a joke - you can't walk around Colmar without tripping over a Christmas decoration. They take the holiday seriously here, and the town is literally lit up. One of the unique aspects of the Colmar Christmas Market is its location - just east of the German border, just north of Switzerland. You'll see the influences of all three countries in the market's offerings.

The Tallinn Christmas Market is relatively new but has come to be known as one of the best in Europe. What's not new is the city's love for Christmas. Tallinn has put up a Christmas tree in its town square since 1441, a feat that is generally considered the oldest such display in the world. Come for the market; stay for the tradition.

Despite its French background and traditions, Canada has plenty of culture from other European countries. Germany is one of them, and the Christkindl Market in Kitchener has a heavy German influence. Look for the appearance of Knecht Ruprecht, who carries a bag filled with sweets for children.

There's a little bit of everything here in Downtown Banff, which is why it's so popular. Want something made from reclaimed boat wood? It's here. Want clothes? It's here? Jewelry? Gifts? Ornaments? Yep, yep, yep. Don't forget to take a break by stopping to eat or meeting Santa Claus or taking a sleigh ride.

If you know anything about Calgary you know it's steeped in the western tradition, with a wildly popular rodeo every year called the Calgary Stampede. Well, the Calgary Expo Holiday Market certainly has a heavy western presence weaved among its holiday gifts, among other themes. Instead of horses, its stalls are now filled with vendors selling just about everything, including toys.

The Toronto Christmas Market is one of the best in Canada. Hosted every year in the city's historic Distillery District, it very much recreates a European market with German brass bands, beer gardens and folk dancers from several other countries, not to mention all the gifts and toys with every step in the market. Take a break by settling in with a pierogi, a market specialty.

Montreal is a ridiculously romantic city just perfect for Christmastime. Except at The Marche de Noel et des Traditions held in Longueuil, a suburb of Montreal. This Christmas market is all about the food, which ranges from something as simple as salted caramels to the elaborate, like duck confit. The kids can ride the wooden train and say hello to Santa Claus.

The Vancouver Christmas Market is yet another event with a German theme, especially when it comes to drinks and the containers - read: elaborate, elegant beer steins - they are held in. The hundreds of vendor stalls are filled with artisans making wood crafts, toys, even glass. Don't forget to pick up a couple of Poinsettia plants and some Advent wreaths.

OK, this is like markets on top of markets on top of markets. Quebec City's city center is large enough to host the Le Marche du Vieux-Port on Quai Saint-André, traders sell their wares including decorations and food. Then there's the German Christmas Market, which includes a wonderful craft fair which can range from a pot to a fur coat. And don't forget to visit everything lit up, including ice sculptures, at the Festilumiere at the city aquarium.

In addition to the regular Christmas Market, the 'Got Craft' fair has established itself as a unique, niche market. With more than 100 vendors in attendance, you can find virtually any type of craft making everything from knick-knacks to large pieces. Be sure to check out the do-it-yourself workshops offered during the market.

Well, this might be one of the most colorful markets in the country, that's for sure. The Lights of The North in Winnipeg is part light display and part holiday market. It's a perfect set-up - walk through the spectacular lights and at the end you'll find yourself in an equally terrific market.

See the previous slide on Winnipeg in terms of one of the most colorful markets in Canada. The Halifax Lights Festival, at the complete opposite end of the country, is a walk-through experience that features dazzling displays, musical concerts, live carolers, a petting zoo and, of course, a holiday market.

Located in the Xinban Special District, the market is known informally as Christmasland. It's an entire celebration that brings a market, lights, decorations, shopping and dining all together. It's one of the nicest celebrations in all of Asia.

The Ginza is one of the all-time great nightlife and shopping districts in the world. You think they're going to miss out on Christmas?!? Welcome to the Roppongi Hills Christmas Market. Tons of places to shop and eat, a great place to people-watch and certainly, with the nearby Oyane Plaza, a terrific chance to get Christmas gifts from Japan.

The Tokyo Christmas Market, held in the Shiba Park district of the city, is a relative newcomer to the Christmas market scene, having made its debut in 2015. You'll know you're there when you see … no, not a Christmas tree but the giant Christmas pyramid. From what we are told, the hand-crafted yet elaborate Christmas ornaments are especially desirable.

Sapporo, site of the 1972 Winter Olympics, is well-versed in hosting international visitors. So its Christmas market is a combination not only of Japanese culture and gifts and ornaments and tchotchkes but also a tribute to Germany's long tradition of Christmas markets. So don't be confused if you see a bunch of German trinkets and food mixed in with Japanese gifts.

Already a popular tourist attraction, Gardens by the Bay in Singapore takes on a whole new atmosphere during the holidays from late November through December with its Christmas Wonderland. The transformation of the Gardens is quite lovely and definitely worth a romantic stroll while checking out the numerous vendors.

The two cities are just 20 miles apart and worth the journey to check out two of the finest, most vibrant markets in the world. They are year-round, not necessarily Christmas-specific, but during the holidays they fill the market with seasonal, hand-made wares. Olinda is mostly outdoor; in Recife, the action is centered around the Mercado de Sao José.

This is one of the most beautiful cities in the world in which to celebrate the holiday, starting with the ultra-popular Christmas market in Praza da Quintana. The market features everything from food to crafts to gifts and, like in cities that are far colder than Santiago, the market even has an ice-skating rink.

Asuncion is the capital of Paraguay and, as such, has one of the greatest Christmas celebrations in South America. The Christmas market in the heart of Asuncion is the cultural meeting point, but the entire city is incredible with its lights and decorations. The market features items native to Paraguayan culture, including holiday gifts for loved ones.

Mexico is another country that is heavily religious, so the holiday means something special to its residents. In Mexico City, there are numerous markets that open as soon as Thanksgiving is over, including the El Bazar Navideno de las Estrellas at the Galerias Plaza de las Estrellas; the poinsettia market in Xochimilco; and a transformation of all the existing markets in the city's permanent shopping bazaars. Mexican-made Nativity scenes are extraordinarily popular.

Surprised? Don't be. Cape Town outdoes itself for the holidays with several different Christmas markets. That includes the Stellenbosch Kersmark, where tourists and locals alike can buy handmade goods and crafts, as well as the Cape Gift Market filled with merchandise from craft-makers from South Africa and Namibia. In fact, the Christmas market season is already underway - every mid-November, the Constantia Gift Fair kicks things off.