You don’t need a passport—or a pricey transatlantic flight—for a little European Christmas magic this holiday season.
Just a few hours from Chicago, Holland, Michigan, pairs Dutch charm with a festive outdoor Christmas market, making it a dreamy winter road-trip destination.
While this charming town is best known for its spring tulips, its downtown shops, galleries, eateries, and brewpubs offer plenty of reasons to explore beyond tulip season.
Come the holidays, though, Kerstmarkt steals the spotlight. The European-style outdoor market brings gifts, seasonal bites, and artisan demonstrations to town—and it’s the perfect excuse to trade the city for a festive weekend away.
A little Dutch Christmas magic in Michigan
So, why Kerstmarkt? The word translates to “Christmas market” in Dutch.
Its founders drew inspiration from Christmas markets across Europe, including those they visited in Germany, and brought a little of that festive charm back to Michigan.
What began with just 10 booths in Centennial Park in 1997 now takes place outside the Holland Civic Center at 150 W. 8th Street, near the corner of 8th Street and Pine Avenue.
Wander among the European-inspired wooden booths, and you’ll find handcrafted treasures, seasonal food and drinks, and artisans showing off their craft. It’s the perfect spot to browse for a thoughtful gift—or pick up a little something for yourself.
When is Holland’s Kerstmarkt?
Kerstmarkt returns on Fridays and Saturdays from November 20 through December 19, 2026, making it an easy addition to a late-fall escape or a December weekend away. According to the organizer’s current schedule, the market is open Fridays from 3–7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
The five market weekends are:
- November 20–21
- November 27–28
- December 4–5
- December 11–12
- December 18–19
Where is Holland, Michigan?
Holland sits on the shores of Lake Macatawa in western Michigan, roughly 2½–3 hours from Chicago, depending on traffic and conditions.
