From German-inspired markets to cowboy-themed festivals, Texas offers unique holiday traditions across the state. These festive community events typically provide open-air stalls selling unique gifts, decorations, seasonal treats, and warm beverages. It’s a place visitors and residents can get into the holiday spirit and spend time with their loved ones. Check out these ten incredible Christmas markets only in Texas and learn about their amenities and refreshments.
1. Texas Christkindl Market
The Texas Christkindl Market has handcrafted trinkets from Germany
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This free family-friendly tradition is in Arlington, Texas, at the Globe Life Field, every late November through late December. The Christkindl Market has been an Arlington tradition since 2011 and provides handcrafted trinkets and gifts, including some you can typically only find at the iconic Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village, one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany. Along with vendors, you will find live entertainment, visits with Santa, and plenty of delicious food, such as award-winning BBQ, gourmet candy, schnitzel, and bratwurst.
2. Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market
The annual Nutcracker Market is a fundraising shopping event that benefits the Houston Ballet. It takes place in mid-November and kicks off the holiday season with a festive and jam-packed event. The Nutcracker Market features more than 260 merchants selling clothing, jewelry, holiday decorations, toys, gourmet food, and gifts for everyone on your list. You can find everything from handcrafted nutcrackers and wreaths to gourmet soups and dessert mixes.
3. Magical Winter Lights: Festival & Christmas Light Show
Christmas markets often have live entertainment, light displays, and lots of tasty food
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The Magical Winter Lights event in Houston is a Christmas spectacle for the whole family! Along with vendors, guests will experience thousands of dazzling lanterns, illuminated tunnels, interactive exhibits, holiday music, and lots of entertainment. Once you walk through the towering and glowing lantern displays, you can ride the roller coaster and Ferris wheel before heading to the tasty food trucks and vendors stocked with delectable treats.
4. Holiday Market by Sister Cities
Hosted at the Outlet Shoppes at Laredo, the Holiday Market by Sister Cities takes place in mid-November to kick off the holiday season for the area. This event has only run for three years, but it’s a huge hit. The market features more than 80 artisans from Latin America and Mexico and you will find everything from homemade food and holiday decor to clothing and accessories. Partnered with Hispanic International and Farmer’s Market, there are many items to browse and take home.
5. NTX Vintage Markets Holiday Bazaar
Vintage holiday markets provide unique jewelry, apparel, and other items
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Located at The Rustic in Dallas, the NTX Vintage Markets is only one day in early December, where patrons will find plenty of holiday shopping, sweet treats, ornament painting, and vintage jewelry and apparel. Visitors can attend for free and the event lasts five hours. With dozens of local vendors, you can find something for everyone on your list.
6. Pioneer Museum Holiday Home Tour & Market
Hosted by the Gillespie County Historical Society, this historic home tour and holiday market is a yearly favorite for the people of Fredericksburg. It takes place for one day in mid-November and features several holiday vendors, hors d’ouvres, champagne, and entertainment, all inside a historic home.
7. Pearl Holiday Night Market
For several weekends in December, San Antonio visitors and residents can check out the Holiday Night Markets at Pearl from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Along with perusing more than 60 local vendors, visitors can listen to Christmas carols, pick up some sweet treats, and visit with Santa!
8. Winterfest Market
Holiday markets capture the festive spirit and allow people to get a jumpstart on their shopping
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Winterfest is an annual event in Downtown El Paso that runs from mid-November to January 1st. Admission is free and visitors can enjoy local eats, shopping, Santa visits, ice skating, and plenty of holiday cheer. Vendors provide artisan products, tasty treats, and fresh locally-grown produce.
9. Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is in Austin, Texas, and runs the week before Christmas. It provides a music festival and immersive art experience, as well as live music, artisan products, and a festive atmosphere for the whole family. Children can also visit with Santa and there is plenty of delicious food and drinks for every palette.
10. Hogwarts Christmas Village & Holiday Market
Calling all Harry Potter fans! The Hogwarts Christmas Village and Market is a Harry Potter-themed Christmas event. Located at the Westminster United Methodist Church in Houston, this mid-December spectacle provides butterbeer, house sorting, wizard’s chess, and dozens of local vendors selling unique gifts and sweet treats.
A Summary of the 10 Incredible Christmas Markets Only in Texas
| Number | Christmas Markets in Texas | Location |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Texas Christkindl Market | Arlington |
| #2 | Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market | Houston |
| #3 | Magical Winter Lights: Festival & Christmas Light Show | Houston |
| #4 | Holiday Market by Sister Cities | Laredo |
| #5 | NTX Vintage Markets Holiday Bazaar | Dallas |
| #6 | Pioneer Museum Holiday Home Tour and Market | Fredericksburg |
| #7 | Pearl Holiday Night Market | San Antonio |
| #8 | Winterfest Market | El Paso |
| #9 | Armadillo Christmas Bazaar | Austin |
| #10 | Hogwarts Christmas Village and Holiday Market | Houston |
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com