Visit Some of the Best Christmas Markets in the USA!
Mulled wine, decorated stands, delicious bratwurst and strudel and most importantly, the spirit of community all make Christmas Markets a staple of the holiday season. This German tradition has made its way to the United States, where an estimated 44 million Americans have full or partial German ancestry. Cities all over the country are now hosting their own iteration of German Christmas Markets, and the result is a wonderful German tradition with an American flair. Below are some of the most prominent Christmas Markets in the USA, all easily accessible by bus.
Save Money this Holiday Season by Taking the Bus!
No matter where you live in the country, spend less money on transportation and more on your holiday shopping by taking the bus! Bus companies, such as Greyhound or megabus offer cheap travel alternatives to cities across the country to help you get you where you want to go without breaking the bank.
Christkindlmarket Chicago, IL
When: November 17 through December 24
Over a million visitors come each year to one of the country’s oldest Christmas markets. This open aired market will be at Daley Plaza through Christmas Eve and will even feature its own Christkind, the blond-haired mythical figure from the famous Christmas markets in Nuremberg. A Kinder Club offers fun activities for children, like scavenger hunts and a supersized advent calendar. Visitors can even enjoy another market in the nearby Naperville Illinois for some more holiday cheer!
Bus Connections to Chicago, IL:
Ann Arbor, MI ↔ Chicago, IL with megabus starting from $10.00
New York,NY ↔ Chicago, IL with Greyhound starting from $48.00
Indianapolis, IN ↔ Chicago, IL with megabus starting from $22.00
Epcot Disney World, Orlando, FL
When: November 18 to December 30, 2018
The German Pavilion at Epcot takes a slice of Germany to Disneyworld with authentic German wares and foods and staffed by young workers from Germany. The pavilion has eight different shops, where visitors can browse through wares, such as cuckoo clocks, beer steins, cookbooks and beautiful Christmas ornaments.
Bus Connections to Orlando, FL:
Miami, FL ↔ Orlando, FL with Jet Set Express starting from $20.00
Atlanta, GA ↔ Orlando, FL with megabus starting from $10.00
Fort Lauderdale, FL ↔ Orlando, FL with Greyhound starting from $17.00
Downtown Holiday Market Washington DC
When: Opens Daily through December 23
Washington DC’s downtown holiday market attracts as many as 100,000 shoppers each weekend and offers an assortment of holiday wares from fine crafts to imported snacks, coffee, donuts and delicious empanadas. The market covers the sidewalk in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery with more than 150 artisans and vendors. Each day, musical acts across multiple genres perform, providing a nice backdrop for the shoppers.
Bus Connections to Washington DC:
Richmond, VA ↔ Washington DC with Eastern Coach starting from $15.00
Philadelphia, PA ↔ Washington DC with Peter Pan Bus Lines starting from $15.00
New York, NY ↔ Washington DC with BoltBus starting from $16.00
Denver Christkindl Market, Denver, CO
When: Runs through December 23
Overlooked by the snow-capped Rockies, Denver, Colorado evokes an alpine atmosphere that makes it the perfect place for a German Christmas Market. The Denver Christkindl Market features a skating rink, warm tents and mulled wine and hot chocolate. The market is located at Skyline Park at the city’s 16the Street Mall. Like any true Christmas Market, the scene will be filled with decorated stalls, and plenty of schnitzel and strudel to enjoy to the tune of German music.
Bus Connections to Denver, CO:
Albuquerque, NM ↔ Denver, CO with Greyhound starting from $26.00
Colorado Springs, CO ↔ Denver, CO with Greyhound starting from $11.00
Salt Lake City, UT ↔ Denver, CO with Greyhound starting from $68.00
Christmas Village, Philadelphia, PA
When: Runs to December 27
From Thanksgiving onward, JFK Park is transformed into a festive Christmas Village with as much delicious Bratwurst and Strudel you can eat. The village is made up of more than 80 wooden booths, where visitors can purchase homemade gifts from around the globe as well as various sweets and goodies, like waffles, strudel and gingerbread. In fact, the Philadelphia Christmas Market is one of the only ones in the country to receive visits from the original Christkind from Nuremberg.
Bus Connections to Philadelphia, PA:
New York, NY ↔ Philadelphia, PA with BoltBus starting from $13.00
Washington DC ↔ Philadelphia, PA with Ourbus starting from $15.00
Pittsburgh, PA ↔ Philadelphia, PA with megabus starting from $14.99
Columbus Circle Holiday Market, New York, NY
When: November 28 – December 24
Over 150 vendors gather to markets throughout New York cities to sell wares from all over the world. Prominent markets are in Columbus Circle, Grand Central Station, Union Station and of course, the Bryant Park Winter Village. The ice-skating rink is one of the key attractions and skating here has become its own tradition. The global city takes on some German flavor with mulled wine and decorated stalls abound.
Bus Connections to New York, NY:
Boston, MA ↔ New York, NY with megabus starting from $13.99
Washington DC ↔ New York, NY with Ourbus starting from $13.00
Philadelphia, PA ↔ New York, NY with BoltBus starting from $10.00
