*FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure for more info.
Wondering when holiday, winter & Christmas markets will be open this year in California? We’ve done all the research so you don’t have to!
In this post, we’ll be sharing a list of the most popular Christmas & holiday markets in California, along with the opening dates that we know of so far.
We know it isn’t easy to find all this information in one place, so we’ve spent hours assembling all the dates and official websites of various markets to make your trip planning infinitely easier.
We hope you find this list helpful!
Winter Packing Essentials:
👕 Warm Base Layer: A MUST for staying warm
👖 Thermal Leggings: Magical for layering under jeans
🔥 Cozy down layer: Lightweight & keeps you SO warm
🧥 Waterproof Coat w/ Hood: Better than an umbrella!
🥾 Cozy boots: Ideal for city breaks
🧦 Merino wool socks: Breathable & don't smell, even after days!
🔋 Portable charger: A must because cold drains batteries faster
🧤Phone-compatible gloves: So you can stay warm while navigating
🧳 Packing cubes: For staying organized
🔌 Universal adaptor: A must for electronics
💳 Wise: (Free) travel friendly credit card
🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance
California Christmas Markets 2023 Opening Dates
In the table below, we’ll be summarizing the known opening dates for some of California’s biggest and best-known Christmas markets and fairs this year.
While we try our best to ensure the information is up-to-date and accurate, we recommend double checking with official sources (like the websites below) before making any plans. Dates and details can change quickly these days, so it’s always better safe than sorry!
NOTE: We’ve put a lot of time and effort into assembling the information below, so if you are quoting/referencing these details in your own articles and websites, we would greatly appreciate a link back to this page. Thank you for your understanding!
| Location | Christmas Market Name | 2023 Dates | More Info | Hotels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calistoga, CA | Calistoga Christmas Faire | Dec 1 - 2 | More Info | |
| Cambria, CA | Cambria Christmas Market | Nov 24 - Dec 23 | More Info | |
| Concord, CA | Super Holiday Boutique | Dec 2 - 3 | More Info | |
| Daly City, CA | Great Dickens Christmas Fair | Nov 18 - 19 Nov 24 - 26 Dec. 2 - 3 Dec 9 - 10 Dec 16 -17 | More Info | |
| Encinitas, CA | Encinitas Holiday Street Fair | Nov 19 | More Info | |
| Huntington Beach, CA | SWEA of Orange County’s Annual Christmas Fair | Nov 19 | More Info | |
| Mountain View, CA | German Holiday Market | Dec 9 | More Info | |
| Richmond, CA | KPFA Radio Holiday Benefit Craft Fair | Nov 25 - 26 | More Info | |
| Sacramento, CA | Sacramento Christkindlmarkt | Dec 2 - 3 | More Info | |
| San Diego, CA | Balboa Park December Nights | Dec 1 - 2 | More Info | |
| Solvang, CA | Solvang Julefest | Nov 24 - Jan 6, 2024 | More Info | |
| Ventura, CA | Ventura Winter Wine Walk & Holiday Street Fair | Dec 2 | More Info |
Help us improve this list of Christmas market opening dates in California!
Know of any other Christmas markets we should add to our list? Let us know in the comments with a link to an official source if possible so we can ensure we get accurate dates.