Top 9+ Christmas markets to check out in Michigan in 2025

If you're looking for holiday gifts this season or even just interested in taking in the Christmas season, specialty markets across Michigan offer a chance to celebrate while supporting artisans and small businesses.

Michigan communities are embracing the global theme, transforming downtowns and marketplaces into outdoor European-style Christmas markets. Holland and Grand Rapids, in west Michigan, Frankenmuth, Rochester and Ann Arbor, in eastern Michigan, are getting ready to welcome shoppers with local vendors, European cuisine and alcoholic beverages, Santa appearances, Christmas caroling and more.

No. 10: Kerstmarkt in Holland, Michigan. Holland, Michigan is best known for its spring tulips, but Kerstmarkt offers a good reason to visit in the winter. For five weekends in November and December, some 18 booths set up at 8th Street Marketplace to sell holiday decorations, gifts, and seasonal treats at this European-style market. Visits from Santa, dog sleds, and Dickens carolers add to the fun.

In the Upper Peninsula, the UP State Fairgrounds in Escanaba will embrace the holiday spirit for a Christmas Market Dec. 20, the shopping experience accompanied by Christmas music, face painting, holiday decor, a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt, hot chocolate and more.

In Detroit, head to Corktown for a stop at the iconic Station at Michigan Central, decked out for Winter at The Station through Dec. 28, complete with dining, local holiday shopping, live entertainment, workshops and beyond. Downtown at Cadillac Square, the Downtown Detroit Markets will feature holiday selections from vendors through Jan. 4, 2026.

In northeast Michigan, Alpena will kick off festivities during A Very Merry Weekend Nov. 28-29, featuring a parade, tree lighting and opening weekend of its holiday market.

Here's what to know about Michigan's holiday markets.

Shop at Cadillac Square in the heart of downtown Detroit

A stop at Cadillac Square, once the site of the historic Detroit Central Market, offers holiday shopping from local vendors in the heart of downtown Detroit.

The Downtown Detroit Markets will feature a variety of goods, including skincare products, sweet treats, apparel and accessories, pet supplies and more.

The markets will be open Wednesday to Sunday through Jan. 4, 2026. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. The markets will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 15-16 and Dec. 22-23.

Special holiday hours will apply for the tree lighting Nov. 21, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. The markets will be closed Christmas Day.

Enjoy Dutch-style Kerstmarkt in Holland

The market will include Dutch and American cuisine and beverages, Santa and Mrs. Claus appearances, children's activities, Christmas caroling, dog sledding demonstrations, hand bell concerts and more.

The Kerstmarkt is open weekends Nov. 21 to Dec. 20. Hours are 3-7 p.m. Nov. 21 and 28, and Dec. 5, 12 and 19, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 22 and 29, and Dec. 6, 13 and 20.

Kerstmarkt is at the Civic Center Market Place, 150 W. 8th St. in Holland.

Experience Christmas in Michigan's 'Little Bavaria'

Just 15 miles southeast of Saginaw lies Frankenmuth — known as Michigan's "Little Bavaria" — beckoning tourists with its Christmas attractions and German heritage.

Spend the day shopping at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, the self-described "World's Largest Christmas Store," with a selection of more than 6,000 ornament styles, Christmas lights, trims, wreaths, nativities, Christmas cards, Christmas trees, collectibles and more.

In late November, enjoy a German-style Christmas market as Christkindlmarkt returns, hosted by the Frankenmuth Farmers Market. Visitors can shop with more than 40 local vendors and enjoy German cuisine and hot beverages. The outdoor market will run from 4-9 p.m. Nov. 28, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 29, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 30 at Heritage Park in Frankenmuth.

Tour holiday charm at Detroit's historic Michigan Central

This season, Winter at The Station is back at Michigan Central in Detroit's Corktown, bringing the holiday spirit to the historic landmark.

The event includes holiday shopping from local vendors, dining and beverages, holiday decor, workshops, selfie station, a digital mural and more.

Winter at The Station runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Sunday until Dec. 28 at the Station at Michigan Central, 2001 15th St. in Detroit. The event is free and open to the public, with some special events, including musical performances, ticketed.

Visit UP State Fairgrounds for Christmas Market in Escanaba

Nestled along the Lake Michigan shoreline of the Upper Peninsula, a Christmas Market is coming to the UP State Fairgrounds in Escanaba.

The Christmas Market runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 20. The market will feature Santa singing carols and reading stories, holiday shopping, coffee, gift wrapping station, Christmas music, face painting, Christmas-themed scavenger hunt and children's gift area, with local artisans, crafters and vendors, according to the event website.

The UP State Fairgrounds are at 2401 12th Ave. N in Escanaba.

Head to downtown Alpena for Very Merry Weekend

The two-day event begins Nov. 28 at the Water Street Commons from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring new vendors. The Bolenz Jewelry Holiday Parade takes place at 5:30 p.m. and then a tree lighting ceremony in Culligan Plaza.

On Nov. 29, Mistletoe Market runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Culligan Plaza, Small Business Saturday at local shops is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the Water Street Commons holiday market will continue from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Embrace European Christmas in downtown Rochester

The outdoor market will feature local vendors, fresh greens and wreaths, visits with Santa, specialty foods and hot beverages, live entertainment, handcrafted gifts and more, per the event website.

The Kris Kringle Market is from 4-10 p.m. Dec. 5 and noon to 10 p.m. Dec. 6 at West Fourth Street and Walnut Boulevard in Rochester.

Celebrate European-style at Christkindl Markt in Grand Rapids

The outdoor Christmas market features more than 60 vendors selling goods and food, daily entertainment, curling, heated alpenglobes to rent, weekly visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a German-style beverage hall, Christmas caroling, European cuisines and more.

The Christkindl Markt will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 23.

Special holiday hours will see the market open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 26, and open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 22-23.

The market is outdoors next to the enclosed market shed and parking lot of the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, at 435 Ionia Ave. SW in Grand Rapids.

Stop by KindleFest in Ann Arbor

The event will feature 53 artisan vendors, musical performances, a Santa appearance, six food vendors, European alcoholic beverages and more, per the website.

KindleFest Market will run from 5-10 p.m. Dec. 5 in Kerrytown District.

The Holland Sentinel contributed.

Contact Jenna Prestininzi: [email protected].