Leavenworth Christkindlmarkt, Leavenworth, Washington
On the brink of extinction, after its sawmill and logging industry vanished, the Cascade Mountain town of Leavenworth established Projekt Bayern. It transformed the area into a Bavarian-inspired village roughly 5,200 miles from the original.
Many decades later, the 2,500 citizens of this Central Washington town can understandably challenge many of the US’s claims of “most authentic.”
Because the charming town of Leavenworth exudes Bavarian culture year-round, it’s especially festive when decked out with over 500,000 magical lights that are turned on Thanksgiving evening and shine bright through Valentine’s Day weekend.
And while you’re at this European-style Christmas market, be sure to stop and admire over 7,000 nutcrackers from more than 40 countries at the Nutcracker Museum in this unique town.
Old World Christmas Market, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Taking place at The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, the Old World Christmas Market is held in a grand heated tent trimmed with fresh fir boughs and decorated with many twinkling lights.
Even though you’re sure to find specific German gifts, like hand-carved wooden ornaments and nutcrackers, the Old World Christmas Market also features items from other areas in Europe, including Russian nesting dolls, Czech blown-glass ornaments, Estonian woolens, and many more!
But if the Old World Christmas Market is on your wish list for this holiday, you’ll want to start planning your trip now.
While many European-style Christmas markets run from just after Thanksgiving through the holidays, the Old World Christmas Market in Elkhart Lake is only open for two weeks at the beginning of December.
