If you’re spending the holidays in California, you’re in for a treat. While the Golden State may not have snowy streets like Europe, it sure knows how to throw a magical Christmas market. From charming European-style villages to waterfront winter wonderlands, California’s festive events bring together food, music, shopping, and plenty of holiday cheer. Here are the 15 best Christmas markets in California for 2025 that you won’t want to miss.
1. Great Dickens Christmas Fair – San Francisco
Step back in time at one of California’s most famous holiday events. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair transforms San Francisco’s Cow Palace into a Victorian-era London street scene. You’ll find actors dressed as characters from Charles Dickens’ novels, lively pubs with carolers, roasted chestnuts, and over 100 shops selling handcrafted gifts.
Dates (2025): Late November – December weekends
Highlights: Themed theaters, Queen Victoria’s Court, craft shopping, holiday food & drinks
Website: Great Dickens Christmas Fair
2. Solvang Julefest – Solvang
Known as California’s “Little Denmark,” Solvang is already charming year-round, but during Christmas it transforms into a Scandinavian winter wonderland. The Julefest features a Christmas market, nightly light shows, Danish pastries, and a festive parade.
Dates (2025): Late November – Early January
Highlights: Danish holiday treats, candlelight tours, Santa’s Village, tree lighting ceremony
3. Union Square Holiday Market – San Francisco
Union Square is the heart of Christmas in San Francisco, with its giant tree, ice-skating rink, and holiday shopping. The Holiday Market at Union Square brings together local artisans, unique gifts, and delicious treats—perfect for anyone who wants a festive city experience.
Dates (2025): November – December
Highlights: Local crafts, gourmet food stalls, ice skating, live entertainment.
4. Riverside Festival of Lights – Riverside
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside puts on one of the biggest holiday light displays in the country, attracting nearly a million visitors each year. Alongside the dazzling light show, you’ll find a Christmas market with vendors, live music, and holiday performances.
Dates (2025): Late November – Early January
Highlights: Over 5 million holiday lights, horse-drawn carriage rides, market stalls, entertainment
Website: Riverside Festival of Lights
5. San Diego Holiday Market – San Diego
Held at Petco Park, the San Diego Holiday Market has quickly become a family favorite. Expect more than 100 local vendors, twinkling lights, live music, and festive food. It’s a great way to experience holiday cheer by the coast.
Dates (2025): Early December
Highlights: Handmade gifts, festive cocktails, live performances, kids’ activities
6. Cambria Christmas Market – Cambria
The Cambria Christmas Market along California’s Central Coast is one of the most enchanting holiday displays in the state. Inspired by German markets, it features millions of Christmas lights, artisan vendors, and cozy fire pits. Families especially love the kids’ train rides through the light tunnels.
Dates (2025): Late November – December 23
Highlights: German-style market stalls, holiday lights, mulled wine, train rides
Website: Cambria Christmas Market
7. Sacramento’s Christmas Market – Sacramento
The state capital goes all out during the holidays with its Downtown Sacramento Holiday Market, which includes a European-style village, festive performances, and plenty of food vendors. It’s a top choice if you’re looking for a family-friendly Christmas outing in Northern California.
Dates (2025): Early December – Christmas Eve
Highlights: Artisan crafts, festive foods, local wines, Santa visits
Website: Downtown Sacramento Holiday Market
8. Old World Village Christmas Market – Huntington Beach
Southern California’s Old World Village transforms into a traditional German-style Weihnachtsmarkt every December. Expect bratwurst, pretzels, hot cider, and vendors selling handmade gifts. It’s especially popular for its authentic European holiday vibes.
Dates (2025): December weekends
Highlights: German beer, live carolers, artisan stalls, family activities
Website: Old World Village Huntington Beach
9. Nevada City Victorian Christmas – Nevada City
Step into a Hallmark movie setting at Nevada City’s Victorian Christmas. The Gold Rush town is decked out with gas lamps, carolers, horse-drawn carriages, and festive street vendors. It’s one of California’s most picturesque holiday traditions.
Dates (2025): Select nights in December
Highlights: Victorian costumes, live music, roasted chestnuts, handcrafted gifts
Website: Nevada City Victorian Christmas
10. Holiday Ice Rink & Market at The Grove – Los Angeles
The Grove in Los Angeles is already famous for its giant Christmas tree, but in 2025, it’s adding a festive holiday market alongside its seasonal ice rink. Visitors can shop boutique stalls, sip holiday drinks, and enjoy celebrity-studded performances.
Dates (2025): Late November – Early January
Highlights: Designer holiday stalls, skating rink, gourmet treats, luxury shopping
Website: The Grove Los Angeles
11. Holiday Market at Cal Expo – Sacramento
Cal Expo hosts one of Northern California’s biggest holiday events. The Holiday Market at Cal Expo blends shopping, light displays, and family entertainment, making it a favorite for locals and travelers alike.
Dates (2025): Late November – December
Highlights: Dozens of artisan vendors, light tunnels, festive food trucks, kids’ play areas
Website: Cal Expo
12. Winter Fest OC – Costa Mesa
Located at the OC Fairgrounds, Winter Fest OC is a giant Christmas celebration with a market vibe. Beyond shopping, it features an outdoor ice-skating rink, tubing slide, and nightly tree-lighting shows. It’s like a theme park meets holiday market.
Dates (2025): December – Early January
Highlights: Ice tubing, carnival rides, holiday shopping, snow play areas for kids
Website: Winter Fest OC
13. Half Moon Bay Night of Lights & Holiday Market – Half Moon Bay
This charming coastal town hosts a holiday parade and market that lights up Main Street. Visitors enjoy local food stalls, artisan crafts, and live music under twinkling lights. It’s a cozy, small-town Christmas experience.
Dates (2025): Early December
Highlights: Parade, holiday shopping, coastal food stalls, Santa’s arrival
14. German Holiday Market – Mountain View
The German International School of Silicon Valley brings authentic Bavarian holiday spirit to Mountain View each December. Expect traditional German foods, holiday crafts, and festive music.
Dates (2025): December (usually one weekend)
Highlights: Glühwein (mulled wine), German sausages, handmade ornaments, children’s activities
Website: German Holiday Market
15. Holiday Market at Jack London Square – Oakland
Oakland’s Jack London Square hosts a waterfront holiday market featuring local artisans, food vendors, and live entertainment. With views of the marina and a festive atmosphere, it’s a great East Bay holiday outing.
Dates (2025): December weekends
Highlights: Waterfront shopping, live performances, gourmet bites, family-friendly fun
Website: Jack London Square Events
Final Thoughts
California may not have snowy winters, but its Christmas markets bring plenty of holiday magic. From German-inspired villages to dazzling light festivals, each market offers its own unique charm. Whether you’re shopping for handmade gifts, sipping hot cocoa, or just soaking in the festive lights, visiting one (or more) of these markets in 2025 is the perfect way to celebrate the season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When do Christmas markets in California usually start?
Most begin after Thanksgiving and run through December.
2. Do I need tickets for these markets?
Some are free (like Riverside), while others (like Dickens Fair) require tickets.
3. Are California Christmas markets family-friendly?
Yes, most markets have kids’ activities, Santa visits, and entertainment.
4. What kind of food can I find?
Expect everything from German sausages and pastries to local holiday treats.
5. Which market is best for lights?
The Riverside Festival of Lights is one of the most spectacular in California.
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