Christmas Markets Northern California 2025: Top Festive Display Events and Locations

When the holidays roll around, Northern California really comes alive with Christmas markets. You’ll stumble on festive food, decorations, and plenty of local traditions. It’s a great chance to shop for unique gifts, nibble on seasonal treats, and get swept up in holiday activities.

Local vendors, twinkling lights, and music transform these markets into community hubs. If you’re thinking about visiting in 2025, you’ll spot events popping up in cities all across Northern California.

1) San Jose Holiday Craft and Gift Festival

The San Jose Holiday Craft and Gift Festival draws locals and out-of-towners every year. Organizers bring together a big mix of local artisans and small businesses. You’ll find handmade items, gifts, and plenty of festive decorations.

They usually hold the event right in the heart of San Jose. For 2025, the festival lands on November 28 and 29. That’s Black Friday and Small Business Saturday—honestly, it’s perfect timing if you want to grab unique, local gifts.

Expect a lively but well-organized scene. Dozens or even hundreds of vendors set up under one roof. You’ll run into artists, craft makers, bakers, and designers from all over the area.

If you want to avoid the crowds, try arriving early. Afternoons get busy. Plenty of hotels are nearby if you want to make a weekend of it.

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website Address
Nov 28-29, 2025	11am–6pm	500 S. Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA	Free to enter	Hotels near San Jose	SJMADE Holiday Fair

2) German Holiday Market – Weihnachtsmarkt near San Jose

You’ll find the German Holiday Market—called Weihnachtsmarkt—in Mountain View, just outside San Jose. The German International School of Silicon Valley puts on this event every December. They bring German holiday traditions right into Northern California.

You can dig into German food like sausages and pretzels. Vendors sell crafts, gifts, and holiday decorations. There’s music and family activities all day.

The market sets up outdoors, rain or shine. Families, friends, and visitors from all over show up. It’s right in a downtown Mountain View plaza.

Thinking about staying overnight? Mountain View has plenty of hotels. Booking.com makes it easy to find a spot nearby.

Here’s a handy table with the details:

Date	Time	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
December 14, 2024	11am – 9pm	500 Castro St, Mountain View, CA 94041	Free	Hotels in Mountain View	German Holiday Market

3) SJMADE Holiday Fair

SJMADE Holiday Fair is probably the biggest craft fair in Northern California. You’ll find it at the Santa Clara Convention Center. The fair happens on November 28 and 29, 2025.

There are over 350 vendor booths to explore. Local makers fill the place with handmade crafts, art, food, and gifts. Most of what you’ll see comes straight from independent Bay Area artisans.

Since the fair is indoors, you don’t have to stress about the weather. Parking’s available right at the venue. It’s a family-friendly vibe, but it gets busy—no surprise there.

If you’re staying overnight, check out hotels near the convention center. That puts you close to the fair and other San Jose attractions.

For more info, head to the SJMADE Holiday Fair event website.

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Nov 28-29, 2025	Not listed	5001 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054	Not listed	Booking.com Santa Clara hotels	https://www.sanjosemade.com/products/holiday-fair-2025-apply

4) Great Dickens Christmas Fair

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair transforms Daly City into Victorian London every winter. You can wander streets full of costumed actors, shops, and food that feels straight out of a Dickens novel. Carolers, live music, and stage performances set the mood.

Organizers host this event at the Cow Palace Exhibition Halls. It runs weekends from late November until just before Christmas. The fair sprawls over four acres—yeah, it’s big.

Buy your tickets ahead of time if you can. Early Bird Tickets go up for sale on October 1, 2025. The fair welcomes families, couples, and groups. You’ll find food, gifts, and entertainment all in one spot.

Here are the basics for planning:

Dates (2025)	Times	Location	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Nov–Dec (Weekends)	Varies by day	2600 Geneva Ave, Daly City, CA 94014	Varies by ticket	Nearby hotels	Great Dickens Christmas Fair

5) Christkindlmarkt Sacramento

Christkindlmarkt Sacramento pops up on December 7, 2025. Doors open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. You’ll find it at the Sacramento Turn Verein, 3349 J St, Sacramento, CA 95816.

This event brings the cozy feel of a German-style Christmas market up north. Since it’s indoors, you’ll stay warm while you browse. Local vendors sell German-inspired crafts, ornaments, foods, and sweets.

The event draws a good crowd from Sacramento and beyond. Admission is $5 at the door, but kids 15 and under get in free. If you’re over 21, don’t miss the mulled wine.

Thinking about staying overnight? Midtown Sacramento has lots of hotels close to the venue. You can find more details or plan your visit at the official Christkindlmarkt Sacramento event page.

Date	Time	Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Dec 7, 2025	11 am–5 pm	3349 J St, Sacramento, CA 95816	$5, under 15 free	Hotels near Midtown Sacramento on Booking.com	Event Details

6) Cambria Christmas Market with 3 Million Lights

Cambria Christmas Market lights up the Central Coast and draws folks from all over Northern California. The event takes over Cambria Pines Lodge and covers the grounds with more than 3 million lights. You’ll walk through themed paths and glowing tunnels—honestly, it’s pretty magical.

Besides the lights, you’ll find a German-style vendor market. Food stalls serve up holiday treats and hot drinks. Santa makes appearances, and there’s a little train ride that’s a hit with families.

The market runs from late November through December. Live music and fire pits add to the cozy, festive vibe. Cambria’s pine forests make the whole thing feel peaceful—definitely less hectic than some bigger markets.

Parking’s available, but it fills up quickly. Booking a hotel nearby is a smart move if you want to stay overnight. You can grab tickets online ahead of time.

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost (General Admission)	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Nov 28–Dec 31, 2025	Varies by night	2905 Burton Dr, Cambria, CA	Starting at $20	Booking.com Cambria hotels	Cambria Christmas Market

7) Union Station Holiday Festival Los Angeles

The Union Station Holiday Festival pops up on the South Patio of Union Station in Los Angeles. You can catch it on December 4, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Getting there by Metro or other public transit is pretty straightforward.

Artisan vendors fill up a big open-air space with crafts, gifts, and food. Local makers bring handmade goods and seasonal treats, so there’s always something interesting to browse.

Union Station stands as a historic landmark in LA. Sure, this festival isn’t in Northern California, but if you’re visiting family down south or just hanging out in LA for the holidays, it’s worth a stop.

Admission doesn’t cost a thing. The market welcomes families and solo visitors alike.

Activities and entertainment keep all ages busy, so you won’t feel out of place, no matter who you bring.

If you want to stay close by, hotels like the Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles and DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown LA are just a short trip from Union Station.

The Union Station Holiday Festival posts a simple schedule, and you can plan ahead with details from the official website.

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Dec 4, 2024	10am – 5pm	800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012	Free	Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles, DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown LA	https://www.unionstationla.com/happenings/experience-the-holidays-at-union-station-2024/

8) Downtown Santa Monica Holiday Market

You can swing by the Downtown Santa Monica Holiday Market on select December dates. The market sets up on the Third Street Promenade, a lively spot for shopping and dining with an easygoing, outdoor vibe.

Local artists and small businesses fill the booths here. You’ll find handmade gifts and plenty of seasonal treats.

Both locals and tourists wander the market, so it’s easy to mix holiday shopping with a bit of sightseeing.

The open setup lets you stroll around without feeling crowded.

The market runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in December, usually from afternoon into evening. Sometimes you’ll catch live music or art displays, adding a little extra cheer.

If you’re looking to stay overnight, the Courtyard by Marriott Santa Monica is close and comfortable.

For more info, check out the Winterlit Holiday Market page.

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Dec 2, 6-8, 13-15, 20-22	3 pm – 8 pm	1351 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA	Free	Courtyard by Marriott Santa Monica	Winterlit Holiday Market

9) Nevada City Victorian Christmas Broad Street Market

The Nevada City Victorian Christmas Market takes over Broad Street in Nevada City every December. The 2025 dates are Sundays—December 7, 14, and 21 from 1:30 to 6 p.m.—and Wednesdays, December 10 and 17 from 5 to 9 p.m.

Organizers close Broad Street to cars and fill it with local vendors, holiday foods, and live music. You’ll probably spot carolers in period costumes and booths with crafts, gifts, and snacks.

Admission is free, and families from all over Northern California come out to join the fun.

The event happens outdoors, so bring a jacket for winter weather. Parking can get tight, but local shuttle services run on event days.

Nevada City is pretty compact, so most restaurants and shops sit within walking distance of Broad Street.

You’ll find places to stay like the National Exchange Hotel or one of the cozy inns downtown. Booking.com lists plenty of options nearby.

Try to visit in the afternoon or evening—the lights and music on these old streets are really something.

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Dec 7, 14, 21 (Sun)	1:30pm – 6pm	Broad St, Nevada City, CA	Free	National Exchange Hotel on Booking.com	Nevada City Victorian Christmas
Dec 10, 17 (Wed)	5pm – 9pm	Broad St, Nevada City, CA	Free	Several inns and B&Bs in downtown on Booking.com	Nevada City Chamber Victorian Christmas

10) San Francisco Ferry Building Holiday Market

You’ll find the San Francisco Ferry Building Holiday Market on the second floor in the Grand Hall. This place buzzes with shoppers every holiday season in San Francisco.

The market pops up in early December. Local creators and small businesses set up shop to sell handmade goods.

You don’t need a ticket—admission is totally free.

Expect to see everything from food and crafts to holiday gifts. You can get there easily with public transit or just by walking along the Embarcadero.

Crowds tend to pick up later in the day, so showing up early might be a good idea if you want a quieter experience.

Hotels like Hyatt Regency San Francisco sit close by, making overnight stays convenient. Parking is around, but public transit saves you from traffic headaches.

More event details live on the SF Holiday Maker Market website.

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay (booking.com)	Website Address
December 8, 2024	11am-4pm	Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA	Free	Hyatt Regency San Francisco	https://sfmade.org/event/sf-holiday-maker-market/