North American Christmas Markets to Visit

European  Christmas markets have been held for hundreds of years. Christkindelsmarik, or market of the infant Jesus, in Strasbourg, France has been around since 1470. North American Christmas Markets are more recent - the Denver Christkindl Market has been in existence for 20 years and Chicago's since 1996.  Filled with wooden huts selling handmade arts and crafts, sweets, sheepskin rugs, ornaments, and the ever popular gluhwein, or mulled wine, Christmas markets are visited by millions each year. Here are a few of the North American Christmas markets you can visit (hopefully) next Christmas.

Winter Village at Bryant Park, New York City

Bryant Park's European inspired open-air market features artisans from around the world housed in "jewel box" kiosks. There is an ice skating rink with free skating though ice skate rentals will cost you. Rinkside there is the Lodge Deck that serves cocktails and food that you can enjoy while watching the skaters. There is also a Curling Cafe where you can try that Canadian sport and igloos for rent for that ultimate winter experience. (The market is happening this year though it is an entirely outdoor experience for the safety of it's patrons)

Chicago's Christkindl Market

Christkindl Market is held annually at Daley Plaza in Chicago and is a German style outdoor market. It attracts more than one million visitors per year. The event is free and features international and local vendors. In fact it's so popular that outposts of this market have been opened at Wrigleyville and in Wisconsin. Inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremburg, Germany, the namesake for the market is the Christkind - a fairy like being dressed in gold and white with a crown - who holds a story time detailing German traditions every Sunday. Over 40 stalls sell roasted nuts, fresh pretzels, bratwurst, Christmas ornaments and gluhwein. Unfortunately, this year the event is virtual only.

Marche de Noel allemand de Quebec City

The German Christmas Market take places in the heart of Old Quebec City. Like other Christmas markets, it's modeled after European Christmas Markets with it's traditional wooden kiosks, Christmas lights and free entertainment - when we were there we enjoyed a choral concert and a band playing at the bar. There are also free tastings of German delicacies and the above mentioned bar for warming up with some spirits. It is the largest Christmas market I have visited and I believe, my favorite so far. In fact, we went twice - once at night and once during the day. But then again, my whole visit to Quebec City was one of my favorites - it is quite magical at Christmas time. I'd happily return!

How about you? Have you been to a Christmas Market?

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