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There are plenty of Christmas markets, fairs, and festivals throughout Texas for you to get into the holiday spirit in true Texas style.
Looking to make the most of your festive trip to the Lone Star State?
Below, you’ll find our list of Texas’ 10 best Christmas markets and fairs. No doubt, these festive destinations will have you saying “Merry Christmas Y’all!” in no time.
Looking for more inspo? Check out our list of festive fairs and events in Texas, along with our full list of dates for Christmas markets in the USA.
1. Dickens on the Strand – Galveston, TX
Galveston Island, along the coast near Houston, brings the festive spirit each year with its plethora of holiday offerings. Be sure to check out our guide for things to do in Galveston at Christmas when you visit.
One of my favorite festivals in the state is Galveston’s Dickens on the Strand, held during the first weekend in December each year.
The historic Strand district comes alive with Victorian Christmas food and drink, costumed street performers, and other festivities along with its popular shops and restaurants.
Dickens on the Strand provides a great opportunity to do some unique holiday shopping as well. Several blocks of artisan vendors line the pedestrian-friendly streets, full of local crafts, Dickensian-era wares, and other festive souvenirs.
2. Fredericksburg Trade Days Holiday Encore – Fredericksburg, TX
The lovely German Hill Country town of Fredericksburg hosts its monthly Trade Days market at Sunday Farms, but at Christmastime, the market gets into the holiday spirit with Holiday Encore, bringing a full weekend of over 350 vendors to the area.
Visitors can shop for antiques, crafts, clothes, jewelry and other gift ideas. Live music, a biergarten, and fun people watching also round out this festive atmosphere.
In addition, Fredericksburg draws visitors all over the state for its Christmas festivities each year along its popular Main Street (another Christmas shoppers’ delight). Be sure to check out the famous German Christmas pyramid in the town Marktplatz while you visit!
Looking for more Texas travel inspiration?
Check out these guides on the best places to visit in…
3. WinterFest – El Paso, TX
The month-long WinterFest draws the crowds each year to El Paso’s downtown Arts District for this festive local holiday treasure.
Guests can enjoy ice skating, free Christmas movies in the Plaza Theatre, a Christmas parade, tons of holiday lights, and rides on the Christmas trolley.
Another big draw is the festive holiday market, full of local vendors, shops, and a food truck garden. Grad some warm hot chocolate and a local taco for a unique holiday experience!
4. Tomball German Fest Christmas Market – Tomball, TX
A suburb of Houston, the city of Tomball celebrates its German heritage at Christmas with its famous German Fest Christmas Market each December.
This lively downtown street festival fills the area with warm holiday spirit, German style of course. Visitors can shop over 150 vendors (plus local area shops) of artisan gifts, German souvenirs, antiques, festive food and drink, and more.
Live music, a biergarten, a petting zoo, street performers and a Christmas parade also help to make this festival lively and fun for the whole family.
Check out our complete guide to the Tomball German Fest Christmas Market for more details!
5. Christmas Gruene Market Days & Christkindlmarkt – New Braunfels, TX
New Braunfels’ historic neighborhood Gruene hosts its Christmas Market Days each December with over 100 vendors of arts and crafts, handmade gifts, and local food and drinks.
Visitors will want to schedule a visit with Cowboy Kringle and do some holiday two-steppin’ at Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas.
Afterwards, head just down the road for New Braunfels’ open-air Christkindlmarkt, the city’s local German-inspired holiday market with over 80 artisan vendors.
This market provides German holiday fun with singing and dancing, live music, beer and Gluhwein, and visits with Santa.
6. The Christmas Capital of Texas – Grapevine, TX
The Texas State Senate officially dubbed Grapevine, TX, a Dallas-Ft. Worth suburb, the Christmas Capital of Texas in 2009. Each holiday season, the city lives up to its name with 40 days of festivities and over 1400 events (which the city proudly boasts).
Texas Christmas market enthusiasts will love exploring the city’s downtown shops (over 80 of them) known for their festive window displays.
Weekends also provide an open-air market in town square with local homemade goods and souvenirs from several Texas artisans.
I recommend staying at the famous Gaylord Texan Resort for your visit. This hotel is also full of fun holiday festivities to experience, even if you’re not staying there!
7. Armadillo Christmas Bazaar – Austin, TX
A Christmas market and festival for art lovers, the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar has drawn thousands of locals and tourists annually for over 40 years during the holidays.
Visitors can purchase artwork from over 175 local and national award-winning artists in different styles and mediums.
In addition, holiday concerts, local foods, two full bars, artist meet and greets and other festivities abound for festival-goers.
The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar takes pride in making fine art accessible to holiday shoppers. Come ready to find a unique present for that special someone!
8. Texas Christkindl Market – Arlington, TX
The open-air Texas Christkindl Market draws thousands of visitors each year to the Dallas-Fort Worth suburb of Arlington for a lively scene of Christmas shopping, European holiday festivities, and family fun.
In addition to shopping for unique handcrafted goods, visitors can go ice skating, see St. Nikolaus, and enjoy live holiday entertainment. Be sure to grab some fresh strudel or a holiday beer while you shop!
For more information, you’ll want to check out our complete guide to the Texas Christkindl Market so you don’t miss out on all the fun!
9. Sights & Sounds of Christmas Festival – San Marcos, TX
For over 30 years, the Sights & Sounds of Christmas Festival in San Marcos gathers friends and family together for festive holiday cheer each December.
You’ll want to take in the holiday glow at the carnival atop the Ferris wheel while your friends say Merry Christmas by crashing into each other in bumper cars!
Be sure to walk through the Town of Bethlehem living history exhibit, go ice skating, or take pictures with Christmas ponies.
Plus, any festival-goer must stop at Santa’s Gift Shop Christmas Market for fun gift-giving ideas and grab a festive treat from a local food vendor.
10. Georgetown Christmas Stroll – Georgetown, TX
Annually for over 40 years, Georgetown’s lovely historic downtown transforms into a big Christmas party with Georgetown Christmas Stroll. If you’re ready to have some festive fun, you’ve come to the right place!
Holiday shoppers will love the outdoor Christmas market, with over 150 local artisan vendors selling crafts, jewelry and unique finds. All of the downtown shops are open too, making this a must-see on your Texas Christmas market list.
Stay for the Christmas parade, live nativity, photos with Santa, and festive live music. Sip some cider and gobble up a holiday treat as you enjoy your stroll!
Looking for more US travel inspiration?
Check out these guides on the best places to visit in…
Have we missed any of your favorite Christmas Markets in Texas?
Let us know in the comments so we can update our list!