Christmas markets in Wisconsin are among the most festive and inviting holiday traditions in the Midwest. They are more than worth traveling for during the season, and certainly rank as some of the best places to visit at Christmas. These Christmas Markets in Wisconsin bring together the charm of European-inspired Christkindlmarkets with the warmth of small-town gatherings, offering everything from handmade gifts and holiday décor to mulled wine, spiced nuts, and local specialties. The glow of twinkling lights, the sound of carolers, and the aroma of fresh-baked treats create an atmosphere that makes Wisconsin Christmas markets some of the best in the US.
Popular Christmas Markets in Wisconsin include the Wauwatosa Christmas Market, the Christkindlmarket Milwaukee, and the Door County Christmas Market, but these more recognizable names are just the beginning. Regardless of where you go, each of these Christmas markets in Wisconsin showcases its own festive personality and traditions. Beyond the markets, Wisconsin sparkles with seasonal attractions that make a December visit unforgettable. You can enjoy Wisconsin ski hills or snowshoeing through forests, attend holiday concerts and theater performances, or explore downtown shopping districts dressed in their holiday best. Whether you prefer a large city celebration or the intimate charm of a small-town holiday event, Wisconsin has no shortage of ways to enjoy Christmas.
To complete the perfect holiday getaway, the Midwest Association of Independent Inns offers the best places to stay in Wisconsin. Each Bed and Breakfast is unique and thoughtfully designed, offering elevated comfort along with personalized hospitality you won’t find in traditional hotels. From historic homes to boutique inns, you’ll enjoy warm service, inviting spaces, and a sense of place that enhances your holiday travel. Pairing Wisconsin’s Christmas markets with a stay at one of these exceptional properties is the perfect recipe for a Christmas getaway. Book your December getaway today!
Explore These 7 Christmas Markets in Wisconsin
Christmas markets in Wisconsin capture the magic of the holiday season, bringing communities together in the most festive way. Inspired by European traditions but infused with local character, these Christmas Markets feature handcrafted gifts, holiday treats, live entertainment, and plenty of seasonal cheer. Whether you are visiting a bustling city like Milwaukee or a charming small town in Door County, each market offers something unique that makes a Wisconsin Christmas getaway unforgettable.
Our Favorite Wisconsin Christmas Markets
- Christkindlmarket in Milwaukee is one of the best Christmas markets in Wisconsin. It’s held in downtown Milwaukee and recreates the German Christmas market tradition with wooden stalls filled with ornaments, artisan gifts, German food, and warm glühwein.
- Another popular Wisconsin Christmas Market is the Wauwatosa (Tosa) Christkindl Markt. This European-style holiday market transforms the town into a festive village with shopping, live music, and the scent of cinnamon-roasted nuts and freshly baked pretzels wafting through the air.
- Head to Sister Bay in Door County for another of our favorite Christmas markets in Wisconsin. The Door County Christkindlmarkt blends Scandinavian and German traditions, with a wonderful selection of artisan crafts, delicious food, and an enchanting small-town holiday setting.
- Looking for something a little more off the beaten path? Head to the Sparta Kriskindlmarkt. You won’t be disappointed! This charming market is renowned as one of Wisconsin’s most authentic German-inspired markets, offering a diverse array of handmade goods, traditional foods, and festive entertainment.
- The Madison Holiday Market won’t disappoint December travelers. This vibrant Wisconsin Christmas market showcases artisan gifts, live performances, and holiday foods in the capital city, where you’ll find plenty more holiday festivities to round out your Christmas getaways.
- Want to bring a little Old World fun into your Christmas getaways? Then don’t miss the Elkhart Lake Old World Christmas Market. Inspired by the markets in Nuremberg, this is one of the best Christmas markets in Wisconsin, offering authentic German food, specialty gifts, and live entertainment within a grand, heated tent.
- The Oconomowoc German Christmas Market is a lively annual event featuring traditional German fare, children’s activities, and holiday shopping, drawing visitors from across southeastern Wisconsin.
10 More Midwest Christmas Markets to Explore
Christmas markets in Wisconsin aren’t the only stop to make this holiday season. The Midwest is filled with Christmas markets that rival some of the best in the country, each offering its own unique spin on holiday cheer. From historic small towns to bustling city centers, these markets make December travel feel nothing short of magical.
Here are some of the best Christmas markets in Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan.
- Christkindlmarket in Chicago, Illinois: One of the most famous Christmas markets in the US, this authentic German-style event features traditional wooden stalls, festive food and drinks, and artisan vendors in the heart of Chicago.
- Des Moines Christkindlmarket, Iowa: A European-inspired holiday celebration in downtown Des Moines, this market includes handmade gifts, German beer, mulled wine, and family-friendly entertainment.
- Holidazzle in Minneapolis, Minnesota: This winter festival combines a Christmas market with ice skating, food trucks, light displays, and festive shopping in the heart of downtown Minneapolis.
- St. Paul’s European Christmas Market: Browse 60+ holiday-inspired kiosks, and don’t miss your chance to collect your 2025 Glühwein Mug and Beer Stein, a St. Paul Christmas Market tradition!
- Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt, Minnesota: A small-town market on Lake Waconia, Excelsior’s event offers German-inspired gifts, food, and old-fashioned holiday charm.
- Duluth Winter Village, Minnesota: Held on the shores of Lake Superior, this market brings together local makers, holiday food and drinks, and a magical outdoor winter setting.
- Frankenmuth ChristKindlMarkt, Michigan: Known as Michigan’s “Little Bavaria,” Frankenmuth’s Christmas market is filled with German crafts, food, and plenty of holiday spirit, making it one of the best in the Midwest.
- Holland Kerstmarkt, Michigan: This open-air European Christmas market features artisan vendors, wooden stalls, festive décor, and traditional foods in downtown Holland.
- German Christmas Market in Omaha, Nebraska: This is one of the best Christmas markets in the Midwest. From the elaborate 15-foot German Tannenbaum to the festival food and drink, this is a holiday experience you won’t want to miss.
- Dutch Kerstmarkt in Pella, Iowa: Finally, don’t miss this incredible Dutch-inspired market right here in the Midwest. From sweet and savory pannekoeken to hand-painted arts and crafts, this is a holiday market not to miss. It just so happens to be at the same time as Pella’s Christmas Tour of Homes, too, for even more holiday magic this December.
The Best Bed and Breakfasts in Wisconsin
Visiting any of these Christmas markets in Wisconsin or beyond is more than just a place to do a little shopping. These markets are a unique experience that brings together festive tradition, community spirit, and seasonal charm. Why not elevate the experience even further with a December getaway at one of our Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts, or other Midwest lodging properties? These inns are thoughtful places to stay, full of character and comfort. And many of them just so happen to be near some of the best holiday markets in the Midwest.
Each Bed and Breakfast offers its own special twist for your getaway, whether it’s a historic inn with centuries-old charm, a boutique retreat with modern amenities, or a countryside escape near Wisconsin’s beloved small towns. What they all share is elevated hospitality that goes far beyond what you’ll find at a traditional hotel. From gourmet breakfasts to cozy common spaces, personalized recommendations, and special holiday touches, these inns help you experience Wisconsin in the most authentic way.
These unique places to stay in Wisconsin transform a simple holiday trip into a meaningful Christmas getaway. After a day of exploring Christkindlmarkets, holiday concerts, and light displays, returning to your inn feels like coming home. Choosing one of our Bed and Breakfasts ensures that your lodging is as exceptional as the destinations you’re exploring, and they are no doubt the perfect complement to Wisconsin’s best Christmas markets. Book your Christmas getaways today!
