7 Incredible Christmas Markets Only in Illinois

Ready for the holiday season? If you’re living or visiting Illinois, rest assured that the holiday season is ready for you. The Land of Lincoln hosts some of the most outstanding Christmas markets in the nation. Visitors are rewarded with a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, family-friendly activities, and cozy atmospheres with festive music, sparkling Christmas ornaments, and a variety of seasonal food and beverages.

Get your sled ready to travel to some of the best Christmas Markets in Illinois.

Christkindlmarket Chicago

Location: Chicago

Products: Traditional German crafts, ornaments, gifts, food, and drinks.

Christkindlmarket Chicago is widely considered the premier holiday market in Illinois and the country. Attendees will be hard-pressed to find a more authentic Christmas German atmosphere outside Europe. Holiday lovers can relish traditional fresh roasted nuts, warm potato pancakes, pretzels, bratwurst, hot spiced wine – and broader holiday experiences like family-friendly activities and entertainment. What’s more, this Christmas market has expanded to the neighborhood of Wrigleyville and the city of Aurora.

The Hobnob Holiday Market

Location: Springfield

Products: Christmas fare and drinks, as well as local, handmade holiday gifts and decorations.

The Hobnob Holiday Market is a festive holiday center taking place in the capital of Illinois. It’s also the largest Christmas market in the state, featuring over 120 vendors that sell handmade gifts, jewelry, clothing, and home décor. The area brims with food trucks and thrilling visits from Santa Claus. The Hobnob Holiday Market is held in the Expo Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Belleville Christkindlmarkt

Location: Belleville

Products: Traditional German crafts, ornaments, and gifts, as well as food and drinks.

Like the Christkindlmarket Chicago, Belleville Christkindlmarkt is an open-air, traditional German Christmas celebration with all the holiday bells and whistles: shopping, family activities, seasonal music – all under the alluring aroma of pretzels, roasted nuts, fresh pretzels, bratwurst, and hot spiced wine (all for purchase, of course!). The month-long celebration provides guided tours of Belleville’s historic town (just east of St. Louis and deep south Illinois).

Wilder Mansion Holiday Market

Location: Elmhurst

Products: More than 50 vendors selling handmade gifts, jewelry, clothing, and interior decorations – as well as live music, food trucks, and a visit from Santa Claus.

Just west of Chicago proper, the Wilder Mansion Holiday Market is known for exceptional gifts and crafts, including handmade gifts, jewelry, clothing, and home decorations. Beyond shopping, visitors are compensated with live music and a visit from Santa Claus. Held at the historic Wilder Mansion, the grounds are decorated festively as a striking backdrop for the Christmas market.

Woman’s Club of Evanston Holiday Bazaar

Location: Evanston

Products: Handcrafted crafts, baked goods, and holiday decorations. Includes a silent auction and a raffle.

If you’re north of Chicago and by Lake Michigan during the Holidays, check out The Woman’s Club of Evanston Holiday Bazaar, which houses a selection of handmade crafts like ceramic art, baked goods, and holiday decorations. The event is famous for its silent auction and raffle. Shoppers will also encounter over 50 vendors; all event proceeds go directly to help the community.

Ravisloe Fetching Holiday Market

Location: Homewood

Products: Neighborhood vendors showcasing handmade gifts, jewelry, and art. Includes live music, food, and drinks.

Chicago Southside is well represented during the Holidays with the Ravisloe Fetching Holiday Market in Homewood. Like all other Christmas markets, attendees can expect local vendors selling handmade gifts, jewelry, art, live entertainment, and food. The Ravisloe Fetching Holiday Market is known to reward early shoppers with specials and even free tote bags. The celebration is held at the historic Ravisloe Country Club, which is already scenic but even more so as it’s decorated for the season.

Holiday Market at Joliet Mall

Location: Joliet

Products: A wide variety of holiday gifts/products, even beyond the market.

The Holiday Market at Joliet Mall provides a broad ecosystem of local businesses selling holiday wares. Just as good, shoppers can expand their experience to the many shops and restaurants in the mall itself. This Christmas market has everything from Christmas dog treats to handmade purses. So, if you’re in Will County or Chicago’s southside, this could be a memorable event for the family.

Alternative Christmas Markets

These Christmas Markets lean towards the alternative and fringe, some with experiences that may not be for the entire family. Yet they will certainly satisfy those looking for a singular experience:

• Krampus Night Market (Chicago): Provides more New Age products and other oddities, including psychic readings!
• Renegade Craft Fair (Chicago): Focuses more on bohemian artist audience
• Windy City Made at Stan Mansion (Chicago): Large market but focuses on experiences and architecture touring.