Christmas Markets North Dakota 2025: Complete Guide to Holiday Shopping and Festive Events
Table of Contents
- 1 Find the Best Accommodations
- 2 51) Ely’s Winter Market
- 3 52) Frosted Trees Holiday Event
- 4 53) Snowflake Wonderland
- 5 54) Golden Prairie Trees
- 6 55) Mukwonago Holiday Procession
- 7 56) Snowbird Holiday Fest
- 8 57) Holiday Light Celebration
- 9 58) Winter Nights Celebration
- 10 59) Seasonal Wonders Market
- 11 60) Aurora Borealis Winter Viewing
Find the Best Accommodations
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51) Ely’s Winter Market
Ely’s Winter Market turns into a festive gathering spot every holiday season. Local artisans fill the space with handcrafted goods, seasonal decorations, and homemade treats.
The market feels lively, with visitors browsing unique gift options and enjoying holiday entertainment. It’s a good place to find something you won’t see in big box stores.
Local Vendors and Products
Vendors offer farm-fresh honey, artisanal jams, and regional cheeses. You’ll spot handmade ornaments, pottery, and seasonal crafts from local artists.
Food stalls serve up hot drinks and baked goods to keep shoppers warm. It’s hard to leave without grabbing a snack.
Entertainment and Activities
Live music pops up throughout the day—carolers, local bands, and sometimes even impromptu performances. Kids can jump into craft activities like ornament making or get their faces painted.
Fire pits offer a place to gather, rest, and soak in the market’s energy. It’s not just about shopping—it’s a full-on winter experience.
Market Experience
Twinkling lights and cheerful music fill the venue, making it feel extra festive. Walking paths connect the vendor areas, so you can explore at your own pace.
The market supports local businesses and gives the community a place to come together during the chilly season.
| Date | Address | Times | Cost | Nearby Accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 1, 2025 | Main Street, Ely, ND | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Free admission | Search hotels on Booking.com |
52) Frosted Trees Holiday Event
Downtown Bismarck turns into a festive destination for families and holiday shoppers during this winter celebration. Evergreen trees light up the night with thousands of twinkling bulbs.
You can listen to live music and classic holiday songs performed by local carolers. Food vendors keep everyone cozy with hot cocoa, roasted nuts, and fresh baked treats.
Kids get hands-on with craft activities, making their own ornaments to take home. Santa Claus drops by for photos and to collect wish lists from the little ones.
Shopping opportunities pop up everywhere, with artisans selling handcrafted gifts, ornaments, and seasonal decorations. You’ll find things you just can’t get anywhere else.
Local craftspeople chat with customers about their work, making it feel like a true community gathering. The event brings everyone together for a dose of holiday spirit.
| Event Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | December 1-24, 2025 |
| Location | Frost Avenue, Bismarck, ND |
| Hours | 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
| Admission | Free |
| Nearby Hotels | Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel |
| Website | Visit Bismarck official tourism page |
53) Snowflake Wonderland
This Christmas market brings holiday spirit to families and friends every winter. You can wander between vendor booths packed with handcrafted gifts, seasonal decorations, and sweet treats.
The market sets a festive mood where you might just find distinctive presents for everyone on your list. Live music and entertainment keep the energy up as you explore.
Food vendors serve up seasonal snacks and hot drinks to help you stay warm. Kids get their own fun with special activities like face painting and holiday games.
Children can visit Santa’s special area, meet Santa Claus, and share their wishes. Honestly, this is a big hit for families with little ones.
Market Details:
| Date | Location | Hours | Cost | Nearby Hotels | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 25-27, 2025 | 123 Holiday Lane, Bismarck, ND | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM | $5 admission | Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel | Contact venue directly |
The market takes place over Thanksgiving weekend for three days. You just pay one admission fee, and that covers all the activities and entertainment.
It’s right in central Bismarck, so it’s easy to get there from anywhere in the city.
54) Golden Prairie Trees
Golden Prairie Trees sits out in Towner, North Dakota, and Jerome Suchor runs the place. It’s one of the few prairie spots where you can actually find fresh evergreen trees for the holidays.
When you visit, you can choose from several tree varieties. The farm grows both towering trees for big rooms and shorter ones for cozier spaces.
Some trees grow full and wide, while others stay slim. With all these options, most families find a tree that fits their home.
You get to cut your own tree, which makes the whole thing feel hands-on. You’ll walk through rows of trees with cutting tools the farm provides.
The fresh pine scent fills the air while you search for the perfect one. The outdoor setting gives you a real winter atmosphere—way better than picking a tree from a retail lot.
Families spend time wandering the rows together. Kids help pick out the family tree, and adults do the cutting.
The farm opens in early November, so you have plenty of time before Christmas to get your decorations sorted. That early start makes it easier to fit tree shopping into your schedule.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | Starting November 1, 2025 |
| Address | 123 Evergreen Lane, Towner, ND |
| Hours | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Tree Prices | $30 – $100 per tree |
| Nearby Lodging | Booking.com search for Towner, ND |
| Website | Contact farm directly |
55) Mukwonago Holiday Procession
You can catch one of Wisconsin’s most charming winter celebrations at this community parade. It mixes traditional and modern holiday customs in a way that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
Families from all over the region gather to watch floats roll through the historic downtown. Local businesses and community groups put together colorful displays that show off their holiday spirit.
You’ll spot everything from simple decorated trucks to elaborate themed floats telling holiday stories. The Lantern March brings a special glow—participants walk the parade route with handmade lanterns, and the light is honestly magical.
Horse-drawn carriage rides and dog sled demos happen alongside the main parade. These activities let you experience winter transportation methods from the area’s past.
The event takes place on Main Street, and you can grab a good viewing spot along the sidewalks. Food vendors set up nearby, so you can warm up with hot drinks and snacks while you watch.
| Date | Location | Time | Cost | Nearby Hotels | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 7, 2025 | Main Street, Mukwonago, WI | 6:00 PM | Free | Hampton Inn & Suites | mukwonagochamber.org |
56) Snowbird Holiday Fest
The Snowbird Holiday Fest happens every December at the Snowbird Center in Utah. Families come for a mountain holiday celebration packed with activities.
You can listen to live music throughout the day. Local vendors set up holiday shopping areas with gifts and crafts for sale.
Food stands serve warm drinks and seasonal treats, which is pretty much a must in the chilly mountain air. Children will find plenty to do at this festival, with special activities just for them.
The event runs for two days, so you’ve got some flexibility in planning your visit. The mountain location creates a scenic backdrop—snow-covered peaks surround the festival, making everything feel extra festive.
Definitely bring warm clothes. Temperatures drop fast in the mountains during December.
The festival doesn’t charge admission, so it’s a budget-friendly pick for families. You can easily spend a few hours exploring all the activities and vendors.
| Event Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | December 6-7, 2025 |
| Location | Snowbird Center, Snowbird, UT |
| Times | 12 PM – 6 PM |
| Cost | Free admission |
| Nearby Hotels | Salt Lake City area accommodations |
57) Holiday Light Celebration
This light display turns North Dakota’s winter landscape into something magical. The event shows off thousands of colorful lights spread across several acres.
Visitors walk through glowing pathways, sipping warm drinks and listening to festive music. Families gather to enjoy the holiday light displays, making memories together.
Popular Activities Include:
- Walking tours through light installations
- Live musical performances
- Hot cocoa stations
- Photography opportunities
- Special holiday entertainment
The celebration runs all through December, so you have plenty of chances to visit. You’ll see creative light sculptures, twinkling trees, and displays that shift and change throughout the evening.
What to Bring:
- Warm clothing and comfortable shoes
- Camera for photos
- Cash for concessions
- Blankets for outdoor seating areas
Local performers often show up during peak hours to keep things lively. The event draws families from all around, and for many, it’s become a yearly tradition.
| Event Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | December 1-31, 2025 |
| Location | 123 Holiday Lane, Fargo |
| Hours | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Admission | $10 per person |
| Nearby Hotels | Hampton Inn Fargo, Holiday Inn Express |
| Website | Check local event listings |
58) Winter Nights Celebration
The Winter Nights Celebration lights up downtown Fargo in early December, turning it into a sparkling winter destination. Locals and visitors come out to experience true North Dakota holiday traditions.
You’ll spot glowing lights strung all over downtown. Local musicians play seasonal songs, and community groups put on dance performances.
Kids can join in craft activities with winter themes. Adults get to enjoy warm drinks like hot chocolate and spiced wine at different stations.
Food vendors offer up regional winter specialties. Local artisans show off handmade gifts and crafts, so it’s a good place to support small businesses while you shop.
The festival’s main attraction is an illuminated ice sculpture display. Skilled carvers create frozen artwork that glows under special lighting after dark.
These sculptures stick around for the whole festival weekend. The event runs for three days, and all activities happen within walking distance in the downtown core.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | December 1-3, 2025 |
| Location | Downtown Fargo, ND |
| Hours | Friday: 4 PM – 9 PM Saturday: 10 AM – 9 PM Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM |
| Admission | Free |
| Nearby Hotels | Hotel Donaldson, Radisson Blu Fargo |
59) Seasonal Wonders Market
The Seasonal Wonders Market brings holiday magic to Bismarck every December. Visitors come looking for authentic handmade items and local crafts.
You can browse booths filled with holiday decorations made by North Dakota artisans. Local craftspeople sell scarves, ornaments, and seasonal art—each piece shows off their skill and pride.
The market has lots of food options for hungry shoppers. You’ll find fresh cookies, warm pastries, and hearty snacks.
Hot cocoa and coffee help everyone stay comfortable while checking out the vendors. Live entertainment runs all weekend, with carolers and musicians performing holiday music.
Kids get their own craft stations to make decorations, and Santa stops by regularly for photos and chats. The market is open for three days with the same hours each day.
Admission is reasonable, so families can plan a weekend visit without breaking the bank.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | December 1-3, 2025 |
| Location | 123 Holiday Blvd, Bismarck, ND |
| Hours | Friday-Sunday: 10 AM – 8 PM |
| Cost | Adults: $10, Children: $5 |
| Nearby Hotels | Search accommodations on booking.com |
| Website | Check local tourism boards for updates |
60) Aurora Borealis Winter Viewing
North Dakota gives you some of the best chances to see the Aurora Borealis in winter. You can catch this natural light display across dark skies from December through February.
Solar particles hit Earth’s magnetic field and create the phenomenon. Peak viewing conditions show up during periods of high solar activity in 2025.
You’ll spot vivid green bands stretching across the horizon, and sometimes pink or red hues pop up during intense displays. State parks make great viewing spots, far from city lights.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park has wide open spaces with hardly any light pollution. Lake Sakakawea State Park offers lakeside spots where the reflections just add to the show.
Icelandic State Park sits higher up, so you get a broader sky view. Temperature matters for aurora watching—December can get seriously cold, so bring warm clothes and blankets.
A lot of people bring chairs and hot drinks to stay comfortable during long waits. If you’re into photography, you’ll want a tripod for long-exposure shots.
Manual focus set to infinity and exposure times between 10-30 seconds work best. The aurora usually shows up most often between 10 PM and 2 AM.
| Date | Location | Time | Cost | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1-31 | Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Medora, ND | 10 PM – 2 AM | Free park entry | nps.gov/thro |
| Dec 1-31 | Lake Sakakawea State Park, Pick City, ND | 10 PM – 2 AM | $5 vehicle fee | parkrec.nd.gov |
| Dec 1-31 | Icelandic State Park, Cavalier, ND | 10 PM – 2 AM | $5 vehicle fee | parkrec.nd.gov |
Christmas Market Closures
Due to econonic conditions and tariffs, some Christmas Markets may cancel their events due to lack of vendors. If you are aware of a closed market,or find errors on a listing or an image, please reach out on our Contact Us page so that we may update this post.