Christmas markets · Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN
Christmas markets in Minneapolis–St. Paul
The Twin Cities have two proper European markets — the Christkindl Market in Minneapolis' North Loop and the European Christmas Market at St. Paul's Union Depot — plus a weekend market at the Black Forest Inn.
10 markets · checked October 2026
🧒 With kids
- European Christmas Market · Lowertown, St. Paul
- Julmarknad at the American Swedish Institute · Phillips, Minneapolis
- Minnesota Merry Market · State Fairgrounds
✨ Date night
- Minneapolis Christkindl Market · North Loop, Minneapolis
- Dayton's Holiday Market · Downtown Minneapolis
- Holiday Bazaar at Landmark Center · Downtown St. Paul
- Nordic Julemarket at Utepils Brewing · Bryn Mawr, Minneapolis
🎉 With friends
- Black Forest Christmas Market · Whittier, Minneapolis
- MN Christmas Market · Lowertown, St. Paul
- Marché de Noël · Minneapolis
European-style market
IllustrationEuropean-style market · North Loop, Minneapolis
Minneapolis Christkindl Market
German food, beer and crafts on the new North Loop Green, a few blocks from Target Field.
✨ Date night🎉 With friendsWhat's there
- Alpine huts under the bridge in North Loop
- Raclette, Spätzle, Glühwein
- Santa on Sundays, lantern parades
What visitors sayGoogle 4.6 ★ · 71 reviews
Smaller and cosier than St. Paul's market, a bit warmer under the bridge, and more food than shopping. Ramp C is close and cheap after 5 pm.
The cosiest market in the Twin Cities — eat your way through it.
- 2026
- Fri–Sun on five weekends, Nov 20 – Dec 20, 2026; Fri 4–9 pm, Sat 11 am–9 pm, Sun 11 am–7 pm
- Last season
- Nov 21 – Dec 21, 2025
- Cost
- Free to walk in; optional voucher booklet with food, drink and mug vouchers worth $50 per person
Getting there and parking
- Ramp C or the North Loop Green ramp, next to the venue
Worth knowing
- Dogs aren't encouraged in the market itself — there's a small dog park on site
- Strollers fit but a baby carrier is easier
IllustrationEuropean-style market · Lowertown, St. Paul
European Christmas Market
Held on five weekends in and around the historic Union Depot, partly indoors — a good bet in a Minnesota cold snap.
🧒 With kids🎉 With friendsWhat's there
- 80+ vendors at Union Depot
- Free kids' train and carousel
- Five weekends
What visitors sayGoogle 4.2 ★ · 132 reviews
Families like the free rides and crafts; parking is rough and the open plaza is freezing — some suggest light rail.
Great with kids — take light rail (free passes on the Union Depot site) and dress warmly.
- 2026
- Nov 20 – Dec 20, 2026 (weekends)
- Last season
- Five weekends, Nov – Dec 2025
- Cost
- Free
Getting there and parking
- Light rail to Union Depot — free Metro Transit passes are offered
- Lots at Union Depot about $5–10
Worth knowing
- No dogs except service dogs
- Ramp from lots C and D for wheelchairs
Weekend market
IllustrationWeekend market · Whittier, Minneapolis
Black Forest Christmas Market
A weekend craft market in the banquet hall of the city's old German restaurant — local artisans and collectors selling affordable gifts.
🎉 With friendsWhat's there
- Local artisans, craftspeople and collectors
- Jewellery, textiles and other affordable gifts
- In the banquet room of a long-standing German restaurant
A small, cozy craft sale — pair it with dinner at the restaurant rather than making a special trip.
- 2026
- Dec 12–13, 2026
- Last season
- Dec 13–14, 2025 (Sat noon–7 pm, Sun noon–5 pm)
- Cost
- Free
Getting there and parking
- Black Forest Inn, 1 E 26th St, Whittier, Minneapolis
Worth knowing
- Indoors
- Second weekend of December only
- Illustration
Weekend market · Downtown St. Paul
Holiday Bazaar at Landmark Center
Minnesota's longest-running holiday market (48th year in 2026): 70+ juried artists in the atrium of the old federal courthouse on Rice Park.
🎉 With friends✨ Date nightWhat's there
- 70+ juried artists — jewelry, woodwork, paintings, wearable art, soaps
- Holiday music in the historic atrium
- Minnesota's longest-running holiday market (48th year)
The most beautiful indoor setting for a craft market in the Twin Cities — try Friday twilight shopping.
- 2026
- Dec 4–6, 2026; Fri 10 am–7 pm, Sat–Sun 10 am–5 pm
- Last season
- Dec 5–7, 2025
- Cost
- $5 admission; 12 and under free
Getting there and parking
- Landmark Center, 75 W 5th St on Rice Park, downtown St. Paul
- Meters about $2.25/hr, free on Sundays
Worth knowing
- Twilight shopping Friday 4–7 pm
- Indoors
- Illustration
Weekend market · State Fairgrounds
Minnesota Merry Market
80+ local artists at the State Fairgrounds over December weekends, with Santa, a trackless train, carriage rides and food trucks.
🧒 With kids🎉 With friendsWhat's there
- 80+ local artists
- Santa, trackless train and horse-and-carriage rides
- Food trucks and two bars for adults
- Make-your-own Christmas crafts
The best maker market with kids in tow — pick one of the three December weekends.
- 2026
- Dec 5–6, 12–13 & 19–20, 2026
- Last season
- Dec 13–14 & 20–21, 2025, 10 am–5 pm
- Cost
- See organizer
Getting there and parking
- North End Event Center, Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Falcon Heights
Worth knowing
- The two bars are 21+ only
- Indoors
- Illustration
Weekend market · Lowertown, St. Paul
MN Christmas Market
A one-day pop-up of Minnesota-made brands and makers, now in its 11th year; shoppers vote for a vendor who wins a small-business prize.
🎉 With friendsWhat's there
- Homegrown Minnesota brands and makers
- Vote for your favorite vendor (Small Business Spark Fund)
- VIP option
A fun one-day pop-up for local gifts — combine it with the European Christmas Market at the same depot.
- 2026
- Nov 21, 2026 at Union Depot (also Nov 28 Cottage Grove, Dec 5 Red Wing)
- Last season
- Nov 22, 2025 at Union Depot
- Cost
- $1 cash or Venmo at the door
Worth knowing
- Bring a dollar in cash or have Venmo ready
IllustrationWeekend market · Bryn Mawr, Minneapolis
Nordic Julemarket at Utepils Brewing
Around 25 artisans with Scandinavian-inspired wares in a Bavarian-style brewery, plus food trucks.
🎉 With friends✨ Date nightWhat's there
- About 25 artisans with Scandi-inspired wares
- Brewery taproom and food trucks
- Special events over three days
A relaxed beer-and-gifts afternoon with a Nordic twist.
- 2026
- Dec 4–6, 2026 (Fri from 4 pm to Sun 6 pm)
- Last season
- Dec 5–7, 2025
- Cost
- See organizer
Getting there and parking
- Utepils Brewing, 225 Thomas Ave N, Minneapolis
- Illustration
Weekend market · Minneapolis
Marché de Noël
A French Christmas market on the first Saturday of December; vendors give part of their takings to the Alliance Française.
🎉 With friendsWhat's there
- French and French-inspired wares from local artists
- Vendors donate 10% to the Alliance Française
A short Saturday-morning market for Francophiles — be there early, it closes at 12:30.
- Last season
- Dec 6, 2025, 9:30 am–12:30 pm
- Cost
- See organizer
Getting there and parking
- Alliance Française, 227 Colfax Ave N, Minneapolis
Worth knowing
- Only three hours, on the first Saturday of December
Holiday market
IllustrationHoliday market · Phillips, Minneapolis
Julmarknad at the American Swedish Institute
A three-day Swedish Christmas market at the Turnblad Mansion — 60+ artisans with jewelry, ceramics and textiles.
🎉 With friends🧒 With kidsWhat's there
- 60+ artisans — jewelry, ceramics, textiles
- Three days at the American Swedish Institute
- Swedish holiday traditions
The Twin Cities' classic Scandinavian Christmas market — go Friday to beat the weekend crowds.
- 2026
- Dec 4–6, 2026; Fri preview party 5:30–8 pm, Sat–Sun 10 am–4 pm
- Last season
- Dec 5–7, 2025
- Cost
- See organizer
Getting there and parking
- American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis
IllustrationHoliday market · Downtown Minneapolis
Dayton's Holiday Market
Holiday shopping back in the old Dayton's department store — 70+ Minnesota makers and nostalgic Dayton's merch, including the yearly Santa Bear.
🎉 With friends✨ Date nightWhat's there
- 70+ independent Minnesota vendors
- Nostalgic Dayton's merchandise and the yearly Santa Bear
- Indoors in the historic Dayton's building on Nicollet Mall
Great for a warm, downtown shopping break — and for anyone who remembers Dayton's at Christmas.
- Last season
- Nov 13 – Dec 27, 2025, Mon–Sat 10 am–6 pm
- Cost
- See organizer
Getting there and parking
- 700 Nicollet Mall, downtown Minneapolis, with skyway access
Worth knowing
- Open Monday–Saturday 10 am–6 pm (2025)
- Indoors — ideal on the coldest days