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Holiday Markets Around the World

pointsettia lights holiday market

Anyone going cruising to find the nearest Candy Cane lane in their neighborhood this holiday season?

Here in California, “Candy Cane Lane” is where an entire neighborhood bands together to put up festive holiday decorations – thus creating a winter wonderland of a neighborhood!

There are also festive holiday markets popping up everywhere this season – places to find last-minute gifts for your family, friends, and neighbors or to indulge in some beverages spiked with seasonal offerings such as pumpkin spice, peppermint, or egg nog.

Here’s a list of some fantastic holiday markets around the world!

The Niagara Holiday Market

Opened on Black Friday, The Niagara Holiday Market is touted as “the largest European-style holiday market and festival in America” and features “the best in holiday shopping, from national retailers to local boutiques, showing their unique artisans, crafts, gift, apparel, and specialty foods and 20+ extraordinary events and special experiences in a family-friendly environment.

Charlottenburg Castle Christmas Market

The holiday markets in Germany are world-famous, happening during the 4 weeks prior to Christmas Day and dozens of them pop up all over the country.  Berlin is considered the capital city of holiday markets, with the Charlottenburg Castle Christmas Market being one of largest, with over 150 vendors from all over Germany and abroad congregate under the lights of the Castle and the surrounding park.  Try some Glühwein, a mulled Christmas wine consisting of red wine combined with spices and served warm, or a spiced cider.

Christkindelsmärik

Strasbourg, France, touted as the “Capital of Christmas,” hosts the Christkindelsmärik.  The town has hosted their famous Christmas market since 1570.  Hundreds of artisans sell their wares amongst the brightly lit streets, windows, church facades, and and balconies.  Even the walkway is strewn with Christmas lights

Christkindlmarket Chicago

t’s considered the largest German Christmas festival outside of Germany, and you can find it right here in the United States.  First held in 1996, the open-air market welcomes students and teachers of the German language to converse with the many German-speaking vendors who come sell their holiday goods, and share in the festivities – which include scavenger hunts, educational activities, and even German holiday songs.

Edinburgh Christmas

In 6 weeks of celebration Edinburgh, Scotland, becomes transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with an ice rink, a giant lighted Ferris wheel, and the Giant Edinburgh Santa Race, where hundreds of fundraisers dress up like Santa Claus and go racing through the city streets, including the festive West Princes Street Gardens and Princes Street.   The festivities range from live reindeer visits to pop-up restaurants and street performances!