By Lincoln McElwee
With Thanksgiving Day officially behind us, the countdown to the New Year has most certainly begun! Christmas trees have already been decorated with care while Christmas lights adorn houses, streets, and buildings. Pumpkins and turkeys are being replaced by tinsel and mistletoe – and with Black Friday and Cyber Monday having just ended as well, the Christmas shopping season is also in full swing.
And so while planning all of your gift giving and holiday parties for the season, be sure to also plan some time with the family to enjoy the many festivities that are taking place all around the country. Even if you aren’t able to get away and travel out of town for the holidays, you can definitely take part in some of the holiday activities that are cropping up nationwide.
One such activity that is gaining momentum across the United States is the Christmas Market or, as it’s better known, the Christkindlmarket! These markets date back to 1545 when the first market was held in Nuremberg, Germany. Since then, the Christkindlmarket has been a time-honored tradition in Germany and Europe, and has made its way to the United States with an international flair that is coupled with regional/local additions.
One of the reasons that these markets are now so popular is the concept of tradition that surrounds the festivities. The markets also do a great job of providing a bevy of entertainment for every member of the family. Speaking of tradition and family-friendly entertainment, see if you can catch a glimpse of the Christkind at your local Christkindlmarket! What is the Christkind you ask? Simply put, the Christkind is a fairy-like woman dressed in gold and white. With her golden crown, it is the Christkind that brings gifts to children in many parts of Germany. So in addition to spotting Santa Claus at the market, be sure to look out for the Christkind!
So be sure to share an international experience and a bit of the season with the ones you love by exploring a Christkindlmarket near you! The following list provides some of the top Christkindlmarkets in the United States. Santa Claus may indeed be coming to town but, before he does, be sure to paint the town red with your own festive travel plans to one of these magical markets!
Christkindlmarket Chicago
One of the most famous Christmas markets in the nation is held in Chicago, Illinois.You can get your Christmas market fix by traveling to Christkindlmarket Chicago, which opened Thanksgiving week and, now in its 19th year, is the largest open air Christmas market in Chicago. The market will remain open until Christmas Eve this year, giving both travelers and locals alike ample time to sample its seasonal wonders. Christkindlmarket Chicago also caters to children of all ages, and has a plethora of activities available for children via its Kinder Korner.
In recent years, many other states have begun hosting their own Christmas markets. For markets on the East Coast, try the Christkindlmarkets being held in Baltimore, MD, Cincinnati, OH, Philadelphia and Bethlehem, PA, and New York City, NY. Arlington, TX is also hosting a Christmas market, as well as Georgetown and Denver, CO.
For full details, be sure to visit:
- Christkindlmarket Chicago: http://www.christkindlmarket.com/
- Other Christmas Markets in the US: http://www.christmasmarkets.com/USA.html
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
San Francisco has a unique take on the Christmas market tradition. Known as The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, the event is located at the Cows Palace Exhibition Halls. All 120,000 square feet of the event is designed to transport guests back in time to Victorian London. Actors dressed in period clothing help bring the magic and beauty of a miniature London town to life, complete with all of the fun and festivities that Christmas markets have come to be known for. As this fair is based off of the works of Charles Dickens, most notably A Christmas Carol, the fair also offers guests the chance to see staged productions of his work.
For full details, be sure to visit:
