Minneapolis is getting its own little piece of Bavaria this winter. The second annual Minneapolis Christkindl Market returns to North Loop Green, 350 North 5th Street, for five weekends: November 20–22, November 27–29, December 4–6, December 11–13, and December 18–20, 2026.
Inspired by traditional European Christmas markets, the open-air market features alpine-style wooden huts, twinkling lights, and the aroma of mulled wine. More than 42 local vendors offer handcrafted gifts and European treasures — one-of-a-kind finds that make the season extra special. Food stalls serve German Glühwein, Swiss raclette, and freshly baked waffles, while live music, dance performances, and visits from Santa every Sunday round out the family fun.
Hours and good to know
- Hours: Fridays 4–9 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Where: North Loop Green, 350 N 5th St, Minneapolis — in the heart of downtown, easy to reach for the whole family.
- Santa: visits every Sunday — bring the kids with their wish lists.
- Food and drink: glühwein, raclette, waffles, and more from local vendors; check the official site for the full vendor list.
- Admission details: see the official site for entry information and any special ticketed experiences.
With five weekends stretching from late November to just before Christmas, the market also makes a wonderful repeat visit: come once for the opening buzz, and return in December for last-minute gifts you will not find anywhere else in the Twin Cities.
What began as the city’s first German-style Christmas market has quickly become a Twin Cities holiday tradition — a place to slow down, gather with friends and family, and soak in the festive season under the lights. The market’s community spirit is exactly the kind of joyful winter gathering Minneapolis does best.
North Loop Green makes an ideal home for the market: the North Loop is one of Minneapolis’s most walkable, food-loving neighborhoods, so the Christkindl Market pairs beautifully with dinner at a nearby restaurant or a stroll through the Warehouse District’s twinkling streets. Come hungry, bring a tote bag for the handcrafted finds, and do not rush — the best part of a European-style market is lingering over a warm glühwein while the music plays and the lights flicker against the winter sky.
Happy City News tip: visit on a Friday evening for the lights at dusk, or on a Sunday for Santa with the kids. Bundle up — it is an outdoor market, and that is half the magic. See dates, vendors, and details on the official Minneapolis Christkindl Market site.
