Carmel Christkindlmarkt

This Midwest Christmas Market Is the Best in the U.S.

"A festive, European-style Christmas market in Carmel, Indiana, this annual celebration runs from Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve and feels genuinely German, with dozens of vendors, live music, and even an open-air ice-skating rink. I could smell the gooey, rich raclette before I saw the stalls selling it—and it’s worth the wait—while the spätzle, grilled sausages, and schnitzel are spot-on, comparable to what you’d find along the Rhine or nestled into the Alps. For something sweet, I go for a traditional chimney cake or syrupy stroopwafel, then sip a Bavarian beer or glühwein served in souvenir boot-shaped mugs, or a hot chocolate (plain or spiked) to chase the chill. Shopping is part of the fun, too: more than 20 retail stalls tempt with beer steins, cuckoo clocks, hand-blown glass ornaments, and wooden nutcrackers, and at the werkstatt I can watch German artisans create treasures in real time. Towering above it all, a 33-foot Glühwein pyramid—the first of its kind brought to the U.S.—spins and sparkles with thousands of lights, delivering a dose of holiday magic without needing a passport. Founded in 2017 by civic leaders, the market has quickly grown while staying committed to an authentic experience." - Erika Ebsworth-Goold Erika Ebsworth-Goold Erika Ebsworth-Goold is a St. Louis-based freelance journalist specializing in travel, wellness, lifestyle, and parenting. Her work has appeared in publications including TravelAwaits, Fodor's, and Matador Network. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines