Not many are the Christmas markets in European style taking place in California. Among the more the visited is undoubtedly the Cambria Christmas market, Cambria is a town located along the California coast about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. In the city of San Francisco you can visit the Great Dickens Christmas Fair where you can go back to the atmosphere of Victorian London. In the Silicon Valley there is the German Holiday Market (Weihnachtsmarkt) at City Hall Plaza, Mountain View. While in Los Angeles the right places are the German Christmas Market at Old World Huntington Beach and the Alpine Village Christmas Faire in Torrance. Even in the state capital, Sacramento, you can find a typical German Christmas market, the Sacramento Christkindlmarkt.
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San Francisco Christmas Markets
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Calistoga Christmas Faire – Napa County Fairgrounds – 1435 North Oak Street. Calistoga, CA 94515.
Dates of the Christmas Market:
Usually end of November – December
A magical Christmas experience with Artisans, Crafters, Performers, and Players. Along with some shopping, Festive Food & Holiday Cheer, fun gift making stations for the kids, there will be live performances, Holiday baking, Canning, and Costumed characters. Displays of homemade wearables and decorations and the sights and scents of the holidays!
Info: Napa County Fair Association, Inc. 1435 N Oak Street, Calistoga, CA 94515. Phone: 707.942.5111
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Cambria Christmas Market – 2905 Burton Drive, Cambria, CA 93428.
Dates of the Christmas Market:
Usually end of November – December
A Christmas market reminiscent of the typical German Christmas markets that take place every year in Cambria, California. The market is enhanced by lights, food, drinks, live music and fun for all. You will also find the typical Glühwein, the traditional German wine, hot and spicy. A must see for anyone. Fantastic light show!
For more information: Phone (805) 927-6109.
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Sacramento Christkindlmarkt – Turn Verein, 3349 J St, Sacramento, CA 95816.
Dates of the Christmas Market:
Usually December
A Christmas market in the tradition of the German outdoor Christmas Markets. Christmas Music, Arts, Crafts, Ornaments,Cookies and Cakes, Gebrannte Mandeln (candied, toasted almonds), Nussknacker (carved Nutcrackers), Nurnberg sausage dinner, Gluhwein, Zwetschgamännla (figures made of decorated dried plums), Christstollen or Stollen (a sort of egg bread with candied fruit). 28 booths featuring local vendors.
Info: T. 916.442.7360. E-mail: stv@sacramentoturnverein.com