Kerstmarkt, the long running pop up Christmas market in downtown Holland, has been named one of the best on the entire planet!!

The Kerstmarkt (which means 'Christmas Market' in Dutch) has been a mainstay of Holland's Christmas activities since 1997. It has offered a venue for local artisans and specialty shops to sell their wares while shoppers gather, enjoying traditional food, drink and entertainment.

Set up in the 8th Street Market Place at the foot of downtown Holland, the market features Christmas crafts, ornaments, wreathes and other Christmas finery.

The annual Parade of Lights and the Sinterklaas Eve procession march through the market making it a very popular spot in the Lakeshore city.

And now, it has become one of the top 50 Christmas markets in the world.

The honor was bestowed upon Kerstmarkt by the Big 7 Travel Web Site.

Big 7 ranked the Kerstmarkt at number 25, saying this about it:

No surprises here for guessing which European spot this US city is named after! The annual open-air European holiday market, hosted by the Holland Friends of Art, is an ideal place to shop for unique, handcrafted gifts and locally-made holiday treats.

The market is easy to navigate and offers all of the holiday magic. Enjoy sweet treats, mulled wine and shopping for special gifts.

The Kerstmarkt is also in the running for the best in the US in a poll being conducted by Gannett's USA Today, declaring:

Holland, Michigan is best known for its spring tulips, but Kerstmarkt offers a good reason to visit in the winter. For three weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas, some 18 booths set up at 8th Street Market Place, selling holiday decorations, gifts and seasonal treats.

Kerstmarkt opens for this season on November 23. here's their schedule:

2019 Kerstmarkt Schedule:

  • Saturday, November 23, 9 – 5
  • Friday, November 29, 11 – 5 (Bell Ringers)
  • Saturday, November 30, 9 – 5
  • Tuesday, December 3, 3 – 8 (Parade of Lights, 6:30 pm)
  • Friday, December 6, 3 – 8  (Sinterklaas Eve, 6 pm-9 pm)
  • Saturday, December 7, 9 – 5 (Dogseld Demos)
  • Friday, December 13, 3 – 8 (Bell Ringers)
  • Saturday, December 14, 9 – 5 (Dogseld Demos)

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