Top 10 Christmas Markets in California for a Festive 2025 Experience

California’s Christmas Markets: How They Started and Changed

First Community Holiday Fairs

Christmas markets in California began with small gatherings in local neighborhoods. In the 1800s, European settlers—especially those from Germany—brought holiday market traditions with them.

Cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles saw early markets filled with local foods, homemade crafts, and simple decorations. Towns with bigger groups of European immigrants, such as Nevada City and Huntington Beach, also put together holiday fairs.

People sang songs, traded handmade goods, and shared fresh produce. Most of these events happened in church yards or community centers.

These gatherings gave folks a way to celebrate together, even when they were far from home.

Recent Expansion and Larger Events

California’s holiday markets have really taken off in recent years. You’ll notice how cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco now turn entire streets into bustling markets, with rows of booths selling quirky gifts and all sorts of international food.

The Cambria Christmas Market gets a lot of buzz for its wild light displays and attractions that pull in crowds from all over.

Modern markets sometimes focus on a single country’s traditions, like the Swedish Christmas Fair in Huntington Beach. But honestly, you’ll find a mashup of holiday foods, crafts, and entertainment from all over.

That kind of variety just feels right for California, doesn’t it? The cultural mix here really shows up in these markets.

Here’s a table with the basics for a major Christmas market:

Dates	Times	Location Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Nov 29 – Dec 23, 2025	5 PM – 9 PM	2905 Burton Dr, Cambria, CA	$20 – $35	Cambria Pines Lodge	Cambria Christmas Market

These changes turned Christmas markets in California into annual traditions for families and travelers. Every market has its own twist, but they all try to bring people together for a festive time.

Cultural Importance

Celebrated Holiday Customs

Walking into a California Christmas market, you’ll find yourself surrounded by customs from all sorts of backgrounds. Some markets, like the Nevada City Victorian Christmas, really go for that historical vibe with horse-drawn carriages, folks in old-timey costumes, and live holiday music.

Others, like the Swedish Christmas Fair in Huntington Beach, let you try Scandinavian crafts and foods—think sweet pastries and woven ornaments.

Head to Disneyland during the holidays and you’ll get a whirlwind of global displays, food, and music. Some markets set up tasting booths with treats like mulled wine, and you might even stumble onto a German Christmas market theme.

German-style markets usually serve up gingerbread, hot drinks, and festive decorations. These markets tell stories from the past, letting families and kids connect with older traditions. It’s a way to keep the holiday spirit alive, year after year.

Effects on Local Life

When you visit a local holiday market, you’re helping small businesses and craftspeople show off what they make. Hotels and nearby restaurants often see a boost too, especially when markets like the Cambria Christmas Market work hand-in-hand with places like the Cambria Pines Lodge.

Lots of guests end up staying nearby, which helps local shops and hotels.

These markets do more than just sell stuff. They get neighbors out together, sharing in the holiday mood. You’ll make memories—maybe skating, catching a performance, or singing along to carols.

Some fairs, especially those with a German influence, even run fundraisers for local causes. By joining in, you’re adding something good to your community, not just shopping or eating.

Market Name	Dates and Times	Address	Cost	Nearby Place to Stay	Market Website
Cambria Christmas Market	Nov 28 – Dec 23, 2025; 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.	2905 Burton Dr, Cambria, CA	Varies	Booking.com – Cambria Pines Lodge	Cambria Christmas Market
Swedish Christmas Fair	Early December 2025; 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.	1976 Huntington Dr, HB, CA	Free	Booking.com – Hotels in Huntington Beach	Swedish Christmas Fair
Nevada City Victorian Chr.	Select dates Dec 2025; 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.	Broad & Commercial St, Nevada City, CA	Free	Booking.com – Nevada City	Nevada City Victorian Christmas
December Nights Balboa Park	Dec 5–6, 2025; 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.	1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA	Free	Booking.com – San Diego	December Nights Balboa Park

Frequently Asked Questions

Popular Los Angeles Christmas Markets to Explore

Los Angeles has a bunch of Christmas markets that are worth checking out. The Angel City Brewery Holiday Market draws a crowd with local crafts, tasty food, and live music.

You’ll also find a Croatian-themed Christmas event, which is a bit different, offering traditional foods and handmade gifts. Both events bring people together for some festive fun and shopping.

Here’s a quick table with the details:

Market Name	Dates	Hours	Address	Entry Fee	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Angel City Brewery Holiday Market	Dec 7-8, 2025	12 pm – 6 pm	216 S Alameda St, Los Angeles	Free	Book nearby hotels	https://angelcitybrewery.com/events
Croatian Christmas Market	Dec 13, 2025	11 am – 5 pm	San Pedro, Los Angeles	Free	Book nearby hotels	https://croatianglobal.org

Finding an Authentic German Christmas Market in California

If you’re after a German holiday vibe, Old World Huntington Beach hosts a traditional German Christmas market. They serve bratwurst, hot drinks, and set up crafts and folk music.

It feels like a little slice of Europe, right down to the mulled wine and soft pretzels.

Market Name	Dates	Hours	Address	Entry Fee	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Old World Christmas Market	Nov 30-Dec 22, 2025	12 pm – 8 pm	7561 Center Ave, Huntington Beach	Free	Book nearby hotels	https://oldworldhb.com/christmas-market

Best-Rated Christmas Markets Across California

San Francisco’s Union Square Holiday Market and the Great Dickens Christmas Fair are both standouts, pulling in locals and tourists alike. Vendors bring out crafts, decorations, and gifts, and live music sets the mood.

People love these markets for their size, variety, and the fact that they’re right in the heart of the city.

Market Name	Dates	Hours	Address	Entry Fee	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Union Square Holiday Market	Nov 22-Dec 24, 2025	10 am – 8 pm	333 Post St, San Francisco	Free	Book nearby hotels	https://christmasmarketusa.com/top-10-christmas-markets-in-california/
Great Dickens Christmas Fair	Nov 22-Dec 21, 2025	10 am – 6 pm	Cow Palace, Daly City	$38	Book nearby hotels	https://dickensfair.com

European-Style Christmas Markets in California

If you’re hoping for that European holiday feeling, the European Christmas Market in Santa Barbara is a great pick. The market glows with lights, serves up traditional foods, and offers hand-made gifts.

It’s about as close as you’ll get to a European Christmas market without booking a flight.

Market Name	Dates	Hours	Address	Entry Fee	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
European Christmas Market	Dec 7-8, 2025	12 pm – 8 pm	505 State St, Santa Barbara	Free	Book nearby hotels	https://christmasmarketusa.com/top-10-christmas-markets-in-california/

California Cities with Noteworthy Christmas Markets

A handful of California cities have made a name for themselves with their Christmas markets. San Francisco’s Union Square event is probably the most famous.

Los Angeles has several choices, ranging from local pop-ups to more international markets. Santa Barbara mixes it up with a European-style fair, so you get a little bit of everything.

Unique Holiday Markets Around Sacramento

If you’re around Sacramento, don’t skip the Nevada City Victorian Christmas. This event transforms the area into a Victorian scene, complete with folks in costume, live performances, and horse-drawn carriages.

You’ll get a real taste of history mixed with holiday cheer at this market.

Market Name	Dates	Hours	Address	Entry Fee	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Nevada City Victorian Christmas	Dec 8, 15, 18, 22, 2025	12 pm – 6 pm	Broad St, Nevada City	Free	Book nearby hotels	https://christmasmarketusa.com/top-10-christmas-markets-in-california/

Christmas Market Closures

This year, some Christmas markets in California might not open because fewer vendors are showing up. The Nevada City Victorian Christmas and Cambria Christmas Market, for example, sometimes cancel or change things up if they can’t get enough local crafts, food, or entertainment.

You might spot holiday events with ice skating, lights, or carols taking a break this season too. It’s a bit disappointing, honestly, but that’s just how it goes sometimes.

Always check for updates before you make plans to visit December Nights in Balboa Park, the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade, or Christmas in the Park. If you notice a market’s canceled or the schedule changes, let the organizers know so they can update everyone.

That way, future visitors get the right info about live music, handmade crafts, artisan gifts, and those little seasonal snacks that make these markets special.

Name	Dates	Times	Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Nevada City Victorian Christmas	Check status	Varies	Nevada City, CA 95959	Varies	Gold Miners Inn	https://christmasmarketusa.com/top-10-christmas-markets-in-california/
Cambria Christmas Market	Check status	Varies	2905 Burton Dr, Cambria, CA 93428	Varies	Cambria Pines Lodge	https://christmasmarketusa.com/top-10-christmas-markets-in-california/
Christmas in the Park (San Jose)	Check status	Varies	194 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113	Free	Hyatt Place San Jose/Downtown	https://christmasmarketguides.com/california-christmas-markets-fairs-opening-dates/
December Nights (San Diego)	Check status	Varies	Balboa Park, San Diego, CA	Free	Inn at the Park	https://christmasmarketusa.com/top-10-christmas-markets-in-california/

So, before you pack your bags, take a look at the latest updates on California Christmas markets. You’ll want the most current details about local art, festive lights, or maybe even a Swedish fair or some German holiday treats.