Christmas Market Schedule 2025: Read About the Top Markets

Dreaming of mulled wine, twinkling lights, and handcrafted gifts? This Christmas Market Schedule 2025 roundup highlights the most beloved US markets—plus practical tips to plan your perfect festive getaway. From New York’s rink-side stalls to Chicago’s Old World chalets, here are the best Christmas markets in USA for 2025, with confirmed or officially listed dates where available.

The Big Picture: When & Where to Go

Use late November through Christmas Eve as your prime window. Many markets open the weekend before Thanksgiving; a few (like Bryant Park’s Winter Village) start even earlier and run into January for skating and food halls.

New York City

Bryant Park Winter Village

Opens Friday, October 24, 2025 (ice rink and Winter Village activation); Holiday Shops dates typically follow in late Oct/Nov and were TBA at last official update. Expect free-admission browsing, rink reservations, cozy igloos, and The Lodge for drinks and bites.

Union Square Holiday Market

Nov 13 – Dec 24, 2025 (closes 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve). A New York classic with ~185 vendors, artisan gifts, and great street eats.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market

Dec 2 – Dec 31, 2025 (closed Dec 25; open until 4 p.m. on Dec 31). Elegant stalls at the southwest corner of Central Park—perfect for pairing with Midtown lights.

Philadelphia, PA

Christmas Village in Philadelphia (LOVE Park & City Hall)

Nov 22 – Dec 24, 2025; Sun–Thu 12–8 p.m., Fri–Sat 12–9 p.m. Free entry; expect German ornaments, Käthe Wohlfahrt, bratwurst, and glühwein.

Washington, DC

DowntownDC Holiday Market (Penn Quarter/Chinatown)

Nov 21 – Dec 23, 2025. A juried maker market with rotating vendors, live music, and plenty of hot cocoa moments.

Chicago, IL

Chicago Christkindlmarket (Daley Plaza)

Nov 20 – Dec 24, 2025 (recurring daily). The country’s most famous German-style market: collectible mugs, strudel, and that iconic downtown backdrop.

Denver, CO

Denver Christkindlmarket (Auraria Campus)

Nov 21 – Dec 23, 2025 (organizers list dates and hours; entertainment calendar posts in early November). Beer tent vibes, alpine snacks, and live polka.

Bethlehem, PA

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem (SteelStacks)

Weekends Nov 14 – Dec 21, 2025 (Thu added from Dec 4). Indoor/outdoor halls of heritage crafts in America’s “Christmas City.”

Arlington, TX

Texas Christkindl Market (Globe Life Field North Plaza)

Nov 21–23 and Nov 28 – Dec 23, 2025, daily 11 a.m.–8 p.m., free admission. One of the largest German-inspired markets in the Southwest.

Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Christkindl Market

Organizers have publicized Nov 28 – Dec 24, 2025 (Wed–Sun hours), with Black Friday opening and Christmas Eve closing; check the official site for final confirmations.

What to Expect (and How to Plan)

Food & Gifts You’ll Love

From chimney cakes to raclette and hand-carved nutcrackers, these markets blend European tradition with local flair. NYC’s Bryant Park Winter Village layers on rink-side dining and après-skate cocktails; Chicago Christkindlmarket leans classic with collectible glühwein mugs; Philadelphia Christmas Village brings a strong lineup of German ornament makers.

Crowd-Savvy Timing

  • Weekdays and early afternoons mean shorter lines for popular treats and photo ops.
  • For NYC, visit Union Square right at opening or after dinner on weekdays; hit Columbus Circle on weeknights to pair with a Central Park stroll.
  • In DC and Philadelphia, plan 60–90 minutes to browse, then add time for a nearby museum, rink, or lights trail.

Budget & Logistics

  • Admission: Most markets are free; paid add-ons include skating and special tastings.
  • Transit: Take public transit where possible—parking fills fast near urban plazas.
  • Cash vs. Cards: Cards are widely accepted, but small bills speed up food lines.
  • Family tips: Strollers move easier earlier in the day; bring a reusable tote and dress in layers.

Suggested 3-Day Itineraries

NYC Sampler (Dec)

Day 1: Bryant Park rink + Holiday Shops; window displays on Fifth Ave.
Day 2: Union Square Holiday Market + East Village eats.
Day 3: Columbus Circle Holiday Market + Central Park lights.

Mid-Atlantic Duo

Philadelphia (Day 1–2): LOVE Park/City Hall market + Reading Terminal Market.
DC (Day 3): Downtown Holiday Market + National Gallery lights walk.

Classic “Christkindl” Pairing

Chicago (Day 1–2): Daley Plaza market + riverwalk lights.
Denver (Day 3): Auraria Campus market + Union Station holiday décor.

Final Tips for 2025 Travelers

  • Book city-center hotels near markets to walk between attractions.
  • For NYC skating, reserve rink slots early during peak weekends.
  • Watch each market’s Instagram or newsletter the week before you go for last-minute vendor maps, mugs, and entertainment calendars.