Holland Kerstmarkt Nominated Best U.S. Holiday Market

You might think it's too early to talk Christmas, but we all know someone who used that extra hour on Sunday to put up their Christmas tree. If you want to start planning ahead for your shopping and holiday experiences, this West Michigan market should be on your list!

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Once again, Holland's Kerstmarkt has been nominated by a panel of travel experts for USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Holiday Market in the country. Now it is on all of us to make sure this lakeshore staple actually takes home the top spot.

You can help get Holland to No. 1 by casting a vote once a day online here. Voting is live right now and runs through November 30 at noon, with the final top 10 winners being revealed on Thursday, December 3.

European Holiday Traditions Right in West Michigan

You do not need to buy a passport or book an expensive flight to experience a real European Christmas market. European immigrants brought this tradition over generations ago, and if you talk to anyone who regularly shops holiday markets, they will tell you it is easily the best place to find unique, showstopping gifts you cannot get anywhere else.

Kerstmarkt is organized by an all-volunteer nonprofit that has been keeping the tradition alive in Holland since 1997.

👇BELOW: 10 MICHIGAN CHRISTMAS TOWNS TO GET YOU IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT👇

Another big market like this in Michigan is the Christkindlmarkt at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market.

READ MORE: Grand Rapids 'Enlighten' Competing to Be No. 1 Holiday Light Show in Nation

Holland Kerstmarkt 2026 Schedule

This year, the 2026 Kerstmarkt is setting up shop back at the Civic Center Marketplace at 150 W 8th Street, running across five weekends:

Weekend 1: Friday, Nov. 20, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Weekend 2: Friday, Nov. 27, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 28, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Weekend 3: Friday, Dec. 4, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Weekend 4: Friday, Dec. 11, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Weekend 5: Friday, Dec. 18, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 19, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m

Festive Entertainment and Local Shopping

Every weekend has something different going on downtown. The schedule for 2026 includes Dickens Carolers, dog sled visits, handbell performances, the Byron Center Kids Choir, and visits from both Sinterklaas and Santa Claus.

All of the vendors for 2026 have been locked in, including more than 15 full-season makers set up in traditional wooden booths. You will be able to grab caramelized nuts from deSoto Nuts, hand-dipped chocolates from Marzec Chocolates, pure maple syrup from Flagel’s Sugarhouse, farm-crafted sodas from St. Steve's, plus wool mittens, hand-cut crystals, custom turned pens, hand-blown glass, leather goods, and local honey.

Whether you are heading down to cross off your gift list or just want to grab a warm drink and wander around, make sure to throw a daily vote their way and help bring home a national win for West Michigan!