If it feels like everyone suddenly wants a mug of mulled wine and a stroll through twinkling lights, you’re not imagining things. A new analysis shows America’s love for Christmas markets is stronger than ever — and one city is leading the charge by a mile. According to a new study commissioned by Winna, Chicago’s Christkindlmarket is the country’s most searched holiday market, pulling in an average of 44,445 monthly queries. That’s nearly three times the interest of any other Christmas market in the U.S. [Ed. note: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and his cronies, never content without a mess, have imposed a capacity cap on the market this year, effectively squeezing vendors while annoying attendees.]
Philadelphia’s Christmas Village lands in second with 15,681 searches, followed by Carmel, Indiana’s Christkindlmarkt (11,460) and Cambria, California’s Christmas Market (10,568). New York City’s Columbus Circle Holiday Market rounds out the top five at 8,353 monthly searches, drawing visitors looking for handmade gifts and that unmistakable Central Park-in-December magic.
“Heading into the holiday season, it’s clear people are already looking up where they want to go for that Christmas market feeling,” says Paul Mertens, CEO of Winna. “As soon as the lights and music appear in the stores, it puts people in that mindset — and it’s a good time to plan, particularly for the larger markets that tend to get crowded the closer we get to Christmas.”
Top 10 Most Popular Christmas Markets in the U.S.
| Rank | Market | Location | Average monthly searches |
| 1 | Christkindlmarket | Chicago, IL | 44,445 |
| 2 | Christmas Village | Philadelphia, PA | 15,681 |
| 3 | Christkindlmarkt | Carmel, IN | 11,460 |
| 4 | Christmas Market | Cambria, CA | 10,568 |
| 5 | Columbus Circle Holiday Market | New York City, NY | 8,353 |
| 6 | Christkindlmarkt | Cincinnati, OH | 2,785 |
| 7 | Dickens of a Christmas | Franklin, TN | 2,130 |
| 8 | Christmas Market | Georgetown, CO | 2,089 |
| 9 | European Christmas Market | St Paul, MN | 2,039 |
| 10 | Julefest | Solvang, CA | 2,038 |
“What really drives these searches is nostalgia,” Mertens explains. “There’s something about Christmas markets that taps into that cozy, old-world feeling people crave during the holidays. Whether it’s a German-style market in the Midwest or a tiny community event in a mountain town, the demand shows people want a little escape with good food and warm drinks.”
Beyond the top tier, interest dips sharply. Cincinnati’s Christkindlmarkt (2,785), Franklin, Tennessee’s Dickens of a Christmas (2,130), Georgetown, Colorado’s Christmas Market (2,089), St. Paul’s European Christmas Market (2,039), and Solvang, California’s Julefest (2,038) complete the top ten — all proof that holiday cheer thrives coast to coast, no matter the size of the market.
“Chicago’s lead makes perfect sense when you look at the big picture,” Mertens adds. “It’s one of the most established Christmas markets in the country, it’s centrally located, and it has that authentic European feel people love. For many Americans, Christkindlmarket is a tradition at this point.”
If one thing’s clear, it’s this: Americans aren’t just window-shopping. They’re searching, planning, and chasing that old-world holiday feeling — one market at a time.
