We have some very merry news to share: both the Cambria Christmas Market in California and the Silverton Christmas Market in Oregon have been named among the 10 best Christmas markets in the U.S. for 2026 by Travel + Leisure.
The national publication included both markets in its roundup of holiday destinations worth planning a trip around, alongside beloved Christmas celebrations in places like Chicago, New York City, Leavenworth and Bethlehem. See the full list below:
- Cambria Christmas Market — Cambria, California
3 million twinkling lights, German-inspired traditions, artisan vendors, festive food and drinks, live entertainment and more on California’s Central Coast. - Silverton Christmas Market — Silverton, Oregon
2 million twinkling lights, artisan vendors, ice skating, snowless tubing, festive food and drinks, and holiday traditions in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
Travel + Leisure’s 2026 list also features:
- Christkindlmarkt — Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- Christkindlmarket — Chicago, Illinois
- Carmel Christkindlmarkt — Carmel, Indiana
- Village of Lights, Christmastown — Leavenworth, Washington
- Cullman Christkindlmarkt — Cullman, Alabama
- Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park — New York City
- Roc Holiday Village — Rochester, New York
- Christmas Prelude — Kennebunkport, Maine
For our family-run Christmas Markets, this recognition is especially meaningful. Both events were inspired by German Christmas traditions and created with a simple goal in mind: to give families and friends a place to come together, enjoy the season and make holiday memories.
And while our two markets share the same holiday spirit, each offers a Christmas experience all its own.
German Christmas Magic on the West Coast
Traditional Christmas markets have a way of turning an ordinary winter evening into something memorable. There are glowing lights overhead, warm drinks in hand, wooden vendor booths filled with gifts and plenty of reasons to linger just a little longer.
Those traditions helped inspire both the Cambria Christmas Market and Silverton Christmas Market.
Travel + Leisure highlighted that connection in its 2026 feature. The publication noted the German inspiration behind both markets while calling attention to the artisan shopping, festive food and drink, entertainment and immersive holiday atmosphere visitors can experience on the West Coast.
Cambria Christmas Market: 3 Million Lights on California’s Central Coast
Set among the pines in the small coastal town of Cambria, the Cambria Christmas Market transforms the grounds of Cambria Pines Lodge and Cambria Nursery into a glowing holiday wonderland.
For 2026, guests can wander beneath 3 million twinkling lights, browse a German-inspired artisan vendor market, visit Santa, listen to live music and carolers, gather around cozy fire pits and enjoy festive food and drinks. Families can also climb aboard the Market train for a ride through light displays created especially for the experience.
Travel + Leisure noted that the Market, which began in 2011, has grown into a major holiday event and highlighted the mild Central Coast weather as one of the things that makes Cambria’s take on a European Christmas market distinctive.
The 2026 Cambria Christmas Market runs on select dates from November 27 through December 31, from 5–9 p.m. Plan your visit to the Cambria Christmas Market.
Silverton Christmas Market: 2 Million Lights in Oregon’s Willamette Valley
Travel north to Silverton, Oregon, and you’ll find another Christmas tradition glowing brightly in the Willamette Valley.
Held at the Oregon Garden Resort, the Silverton Christmas Market surrounds guests with 2 million twinkling lights and a German-inspired artisan market, along with Santa visits, live music, festive food and drinks, fire pits, ice skating and snowless tubing.
Travel + Leisure especially highlighted the Market’s blend of German traditions and regional craftsmanship, including imported German holiday pieces alongside creations from area glassblowers and wood-carvers. The article even gave a nod to one of the Market’s more mischievous German traditions: Krampus.
Guests have shared that visiting the Market has become a favorite family tradition, exactly the kind of experience the Market hopes to create each year.
The 2026 Silverton Christmas Market runs on select dates from November 20 through December 31, from 5–9 p.m. Plan your visit to the Silverton Christmas Market.
Two Markets, One Family Tradition
Cambria and Silverton may be separated by hundreds of miles, but their Christmas Markets share a family connection.
The same family operates both events, and the inspiration behind them is rooted in German heritage and a love of the Christmas season. Over the years, each Market has developed its own traditions and personality while keeping that original spirit at heart.
In Cambria, that means wandering through millions of lights beneath the Monterey pines, hopping aboard the train and warming up with something festive from the Biergarten.
In Silverton, it might mean an evening of ice skating and snowless tubing followed by holiday shopping, live music and a walk through a glowing Oregon landscape.
At either Market, the best part is often the simplest: spending an evening together.
Make It a Christmas Getaway
One evening at the Market is magical. Turning it into an overnight getaway means there’s no need to rush home when the lights go out.
Both Christmas Markets offer hotel + ticket packages designed to make planning easy.
Cambria Christmas Market packages include accommodations, Market admission, parking and breakfast. In Silverton, packages at the Oregon Garden Resort include accommodations, Market tickets, breakfast the following morning and onsite parking for one vehicle. Popular dates, especially weekends, can sell out.
Whether your holiday travels take you to California’s Central Coast or Oregon’s Willamette Valley, we’d love to welcome you.
See Why Travel + Leisure Put Both Markets on Its 2026 List
Being included among Travel + Leisure’s standout U.S. Christmas markets is an exciting way to begin another holiday season, and we’re especially delighted to see both Cambria and Silverton represented.
Read the full Travel + Leisure feature, then start planning your own visit.
California: Plan your Cambria Christmas Market getaway
Oregon: Plan your Silverton Christmas Market getaway
Here’s to another season of twinkling lights, treasured traditions and Christmas memories together.