{"id":11959,"date":"2018-10-23T10:00:03","date_gmt":"2018-10-23T14:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/?p=11959"},"modified":"2018-10-13T04:00:27","modified_gmt":"2018-10-13T08:00:27","slug":"years-must-shop-holiday-markets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia-aarp.com\/blog\/years-must-shop-holiday-markets\/","title":{"rendered":"This Year\u2019s Must-Shop Holiday Markets"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nothing brings out the kid in all of us quite like cozy winter evenings after festive events. For folks who celebrate with Old Saint Nick, Christmas markets aren\u2019t just a way to get all your shopping done at once. They\u2019re celebrations with fun, food, family, and lots of holiday spirit. We\u2019ve scouted out some of the best Christmas towns in the U.S. and abroad. Pack your bags, but leave some room for goodies!<\/p>\n

Dresden, Germany<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/a>

Via Shutterstock.com\/LianeM<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

November 28 – December 24<\/em><\/p>\n

Dresden is an inspiration for many winter festivities around the world. Since 1434, the city has been home to Dresden Striezelmarkt<\/strong>, Germany\u2019s oldest event of this kind, as well as several other whimsical holiday fairs, including Winter Lights of Dresden. Don\u2019t forget to practice the German seasonal greeting, \u201cFr\u00f6hliche Weihnachten.\u201d<\/p>\n

Denver, Colorado<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/a>

Via Flickr\/Amy Aletheia Cahill<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

November 16 – December 23<\/em><\/p>\n

With close ties to the community\u2019s German-American heritage, Denver Christkindl Market<\/strong> is a great place to experience the joys of a German holiday without leaving the U.S. Plus, Denver is a winter wonderland, and the perfect setting to celebrate the season at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. The festival stirs up this mountain metropolis with European comfort foods and handmade fine arts.<\/p>\n

Honolulu, Hawaii<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/a>

Via Shutterstock.com\/Follow2find<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

December 8 – 9<\/em><\/p>\n

When you\u2019re picking the best place to spend Christmas in the USA, don\u2019t count out the 50th state! Hawaii\u2019s blissful weather will woo you to the islands, and if you\u2019re lucky enough to attend the Mele Kalikimaka Marketplace<\/strong>, you\u2019re in for a unique seasonal experience. This annual event brims with holiday cheer and island flare, such as gingerbread workshops and traditional dances.<\/p>\n

Mexico City, Mexico<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/a>

Via Shutterstock.com\/Bill Perry<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

December, especially Christmas week<\/em><\/p>\n

For Christmas, the streets of Mexico City fill with parades, delicious eats, and dancing. Join the party in the Zocalo, the city\u2019s main square. Then, leave the city center to shop for poinsettias in Xochimilco<\/strong>, a district built around intricate canals and floating gardens. Poinsettias \u2014 nochebuenas<\/em> in Spanish \u2014 are indigenous to Mexico, and serve as festive symbols throughout the city. If you can\u2019t take plants back home, leave a gift with new friends you\u2019ve made during your visit.<\/p>\n

Vienna, Austria<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/a>

Via Shutterstock.com\/PHB.cz (Richard Semik)<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

November 21 – January 6<\/em><\/p>\n

Vienna is one of the best places to spend Christmas in Europe, hands down. <\/em>With December markets dating back to 1298, Vienna has perfected the art of the holiday festival. Visit the Austrian capital between November 21 and January 6, and you\u2019ll be able to experience at least one of the many historical celebrations. The world-famous Wiener Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz <\/strong>in front of City Hall is the place to scavenge for handmade gifts and to drink your weight in holiday punch.<\/p>\n

Daly City, California<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\"<\/a>

Via Flickr\/HarshLight<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Weekends, November 17 – December 23<\/em><\/p>\n

Inspired by the festivities and stories of Victorian England, Daly City comes alive with characters right out of your favorite novels. The live entertainment, roasted chestnuts, and merrymaking of The Great Dickens Christmas Fair<\/strong> will leave you thinking, \u201cPlease, sir, I want some more.\u201d You\u2019re welcome to don your own historical costumes, but don\u2019t worry \u2014 bonnets and top hats are not required!<\/p>\n

Header and Tile Image Via Shutterstock.com\/DBLimages<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Nothing brings out the kid in all of us quite like cozy winter evenings after festive events. For folks who celebrate with Old Saint Nick, Christmas markets aren\u2019t just a way to get all your shopping done at once. They\u2019re celebrations with fun, food, family, and lots of holiday spirit. We\u2019ve scouted out some of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":11960,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[221,1417],"tags":[519,1660,425,341],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThis Year\u2019s Must-Shop Holiday Markets - AARP Travel Center Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Winter fairs have been bringing cheer to the season for centuries. 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