First held in December 2014, the European Christmas Market in St. Paul is a beloved Minnesota holiday tradition. Now in its 11th year, the acclaimed Christmas market is back, bigger and better than ever—and Rochester Local has all the holly, jolly details. So, whether you’re already planning to take a yuletide trip to the event this year or you’re still deciding whether it’s worth the drive to the Twin Cities (it is!), keep reading for everything you need to know about St. Paul’s European Christmas Market.
Going to the European Christmas Market
St. Paul, MN, is home to one of the best Christmas markets in the United States, clinching the #3 spot in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice list of 10 Best Holiday Markets in 2023. Fingers crossed, they make it to the top of the list in 2024!
Given that, it’s no Christmas miracle that this popular Twin Cities holiday market made our roundup of our favorite festive activities in the Rochester area. Best of all, entrance to the event is totally free! So, if you just want to go walk around and soak up the merry vibes, that’s completely cool and probably also a lot of fun. However, to really enjoy the St. Paul European Christmas Market to the fullest extent, be sure to bring some cash for all the seasonal shopping and dining that’s available.
The market itself is broken up into three separate areas, keeping things from feeling too crowded as you walk around. However, more space also means more time outdoors, so dress warmly. If the European Christmas Market is on your yuletide to-do list for 2024, here are some things to keep in mind when planning out your visit.
Location & Transportation
The European Christmas Market takes place in downtown St. Paul at Union Depot East Plaza as part of the landmark train station’s Hub for the Holidays slate of events. Given the market’s popularity, parking near Union Depot will be in high demand, and using public transportation is recommended. If desired, marketgoers can travel to the European Christmas Market for free using Metro Transit, which offers transport directly to Union Depot through the Green Line. (Download a free Metro Transit ride pass here.) For those driving, street parking is limited, so plan to park in one of the nearby parking lots instead. Event parking ranges from $10 to $30 per vehicle, with the official Union Depot parking lots—accessible by Kellogg Boulevard heading eastbound—being the cheapest.
Dates & Hours
In 2024, the European Christmas Market will run for four weekends, beginning the day after Thanksgiving, November 29, and continuing through December 22. The market is open starting at 11 AM each day and closes at 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays and at 6 PM on Sundays. Event dates are as follows:
- Friday, November 29 – Sunday, December 1
- Friday, December 6 – Sunday, December 8
- Friday, December 13 – Sunday, December 15
- Friday, December 20 – Sunday, December 22
All the Festive Fun (and Food!) at the European Christmas Market
Holiday markets are a centuries-old yuletide tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. Originally held in European nations like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, these open-air festivals have since become wintertime favorites throughout the continent and across the pond in the U.S. Not only are these jolly gatherings much-loved shopping destinations for seasonal gifting, but there is often no better place to get in the Christmas spirit, with a flurry of sweet holiday treats, cozy warm drinks, merry music and dancing, and fun family activities on offer.
Staying true to Minnesota’s rich Germanic and Scandinavian heritage, the European Christmas Market in St. Paul has all the hallmarks of this timeless holiday tradition. From its quaint village of rustic wooden huts bedecked with fragrant evergreen garlands and twinkle lights to small steaming mugs of mulled wine (or Glühwein, as they call it in Germany) to sip on as you peruse what’s for sale, visiting the market almost like being transported to a picturesque town square in Munich or Frankfurt. In short, if you wish you could visit one of those adorable holiday towns you see in Netflix’s Christmas Cinematic Universe, the European Christmas Market is a pretty good place to start.
Gifts Galore
The highlight of any holiday market is, of course, the shopping, and you’ll find plenty of vendors to choose from at St. Paul’s European Christmas Market. Over 60 of them, in fact, with local artisans and crafters selling something for just about everyone on your holiday gift list. Items available for purchase at the 2024 European Christmas Market include:
- Toys
- Art
- Ornaments and other holiday décor
- Home goods
- Body care
- Jewelry
- Pet products
- Clothing and accessories
- Candles
- Books
- Cards
- Woodwork
- Food gifts like jams, honey, maple syrup, candy and baked goods
- And more!
Spirited Snacks, Sweets and Sips
No holiday market is complete without some wintry bites and beverages to enjoy while you shop. Fortunately, the European Christmas Market has more than 15 booths sprinkled throughout the grounds, selling an array of festive fare. For the adults, an absolute must-try is a cozy cup of spiced mulled wine called Glühwein. Served hot, with a choice of red or white, this seasonal sip is a German favorite during the holidays.
Whatever warm drink you decide on, be sure to get it in one of the market’s souvenir mugs, which come in three different designs for 2024, including a more traditional boot-shaped stein and an adorable penguin. But act fast—these Christmassy collectibles sell out quickly! The beverage tents are one of the first things you’ll notice at either end of the market, and they can get crowded inside. So, if you’re only interested in a mug of mulled wine or hot chocolate, I would recommend you skip the crowd and buy a drink from one of the small stands dotted around the market instead.
If you want something to nosh on while you stroll, you’re in luck! You’ll find no shortage of seasonal snacks to choose from. Just like the event itself, food offered at the European Christmas Market is fittingly Old World, featuring portable German, Polish, Italian, French, and Scandinavian favorites you can easily eat on the go. These hearty, stick-to-your-ribs snacks are also perfect for staying warm in chilly weather. Think beer cheese soup, meatballs, German stollen bread and strudel, Danish pancake balls, pierogis, bratwurst, spiced nuts and much, much more. Just be sure to take a page out of Santa’s book and save some space for a Christmas cookie (or five!).
Santa and Music and Dancers, Oh My!
When you aren’t busy shopping or snacking, don’t miss out on the live entertainment offered throughout the European Christmas Market. The St. Paul event has a jam-packed lineup that is sure to leave you feeling merry and bright, from solo singers and instrumentalists to full choirs and folk dancers. You can even catch the jolly old elf himself, as Santa Claus will be hanging out almost every day of the market. For the complete list of performers and Santa’s appearance times, check out the market’s entertainment schedule.
Family-Friendly Activities at South Village
The European Christmas Market is perfect for a festive family outing, especially the South Village. Although this family-friendly corner of the market is bound to be a hit with the kids, it’s also a ton of fun for the young at heart, offering arts and crafts like gingerbread cookie decorating, wooden toy and ornament painting, stamp making and more. A pint-sized train ride explores Christmas traditions from across the globe, while a carousel is the perfect place to watch the market go by. You can even write a letter to Santa and drop it off for him in a special mailbox.
Bonus! Other Seasonal Events at Union Depot
Each year, Union Depot receives a merry makeover, transforming it into Hub for the Holidays. Along with the European Christmas Market, visitors can also enjoy an array of Santa-approved activities the whole family will love. In short, it’s your one-stop shop for festive fun. Other holiday events are only offered on select days, so make sure to plan your visit to the European Christmas Market accordingly if there’s something in particular that you’d like to see.
North Pole Express
Ever wished you could take a midnight ride on the Polar Express to the North Pole? Well, this is your chance. Sort of. Only instead of a trip to Christmas headquarters, the North Pole Express whisks visitors away on a short but sweet ride in a vintage railcar to the South Village at the European Christmas Market and back again. Along the way, travelers will be invited to write letters to Santa before hand-delivering them to old St. Nick himself when he climbs aboard for a visit. Each trip also comes with a tasty treat for riders to enjoy. Travelers can choose from seats in either Coach or First Class, with first-class passengers receiving priority boarding, extra time with Santa Claus and a special keepsake to take home. (North Pole Express tickets are only available for purchase online and sell out quickly. So, keep that in mind for 2025 if you miss out this year.) The North Pole Express is offered on December 6-8 and 12-15, 2024.
Holiday Tree Lighting & Movie Night
Although the European Christmas Market will already be in full swing, Hub for the Holidays doesn’t officially kick off at Union Depot until Saturday, December 7, with the yearly Holiday Tree Lighting and Movie Night. The fun begins at 5 PM with the big reveal of 2025’s St. Paul Winter Carnival button, followed by music by The Mistletones from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. After that, the dazzling Tree Lighting Ceremony will light up the night at 7 PM at the North Plaza. Then, the festive finale for the evening is a spirited showing of one of my favorite holiday movies, Elf.
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train
The North Pole Express isn’t the only merry locomotive to chug into Union Depot this year. In 2024, the famous Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will also roll into the station in the evening on Wednesday, December 11, with indoor activities and concessions for purchase beginning at 5 PM and the train arriving at 6:45 PM. While the European Christmas Market will be closed that day, the CPKC Holiday Train is worth coming out for. A veritable Christmas concert and holiday light display on wheels, the event features live performances by folk-pop trio The Lone Bellow and country-tinged singer-songwriter Tiera Kennedy, who recently sang alongside Beyoncé for her track “Blackbiird” on Queen Bey’s Cowboy Carter album. The event is free to attend. However, a donation of cash or a non-perishable food item is highly encouraged.
Holiday Bake Sale
One of my favorite parts of the holidays is the food, especially sweets like cookies and other Christmas goodies. And as much fun as it is to bake a batch yourself, sometimes buying them is the way to go. Whether you’re on the hunt for tasty food gifts or you just need a dessert or two for a festive get-together, if you’re in need of something sweet, you’re bound to find it at Union Depot’s annual Holiday Bake Sale. Held on Saturday, December 14, from 10 AM to 5 PM in the Waiting Room, this scrumptious shindig is free to attend and features decadent delights from 45 local bakeries and food vendors, as well as live entertainment and meet-and-greets with area bakers and influencers.
Are you going to the European Christmas Market in St. Paul this year? Leave a comment below!
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