This U.S. Destination Has a Perfect Dupe for a Classic German Holiday Market

Frankenmuth, Michigan, hosts a pitch-perfect German Christmas market every year.

Towns and communities across Europe come to life over the holiday season to spread cheer through their adorable Christmas markets, hosting local artisans selling their goods, local bites, and delightful winter drinks. And while each market in Europe is worthy of a visit, you don't have to bust out your passport to get that same feeling, as there are several European-style markets right here in the U.S. And that includes one particularly adorable German-style market that will transport you the second you walk in.  

HomeToGo compiled a list of its top choices for European-style Christmas markets in the U.S., ranked by the number of searches conducted via HomeToGo domains between Jan. 1, 2024, and Sept. 30, 2024. Each spot, it says, "offers the magic of Christmas without the long-haul journey."

And one of those spots happens to be Frankenmuth, Michigan, AKA “Michigan’s Little Bavaria,” which hosts a pitch-perfect German Christmas market every year.

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"Frankenmuth is all about Christmas, especially at Bronner’s, the world’s largest Christmas store. The town’s charm shines during the holiday season, with a Christkindlmarkt, horse-drawn carriages, and festive decorations filling the streets," the home-sharing website said. "Warm up with a German pretzel or some special Christmas Town Spiced Ale before getting back to exploring under twinkling lights. Frankenmuth offers a slice of European Christmas right in the heart of Michigan."

As for how to see the city at its best, the town's website suggests trying to time your visit to mid-week to beat the crowds, use its free shuttle bus system to get around, pick up its Christmas Experience Guide and Tours & Map to know exactly where to go, use its "Peppermint Perks" card, which can be found at the visitor's center, to save on shopping, and lastly, remember to "cherish every moment."

Frankenmuth, however, isn't the only place to see this holiday season for some Euro-American charm. HomeToGo also pointed to the fantastic markets in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Seattle; and Philadelphia; as great choices. It also called out Saint Paul, Minnesota's markets, where you can snag some "handcrafted goods, bratwurst, and spiced glühwein" for more German-style fun.

Learn more about the markets, along with their European counterparts, at hometogo.com. 

Related: 13 Best German Christmas Markets — Including the Oldest in the World