Travel + Leisure has named Cullman Christkindlmarkt to its list of the 10 coolest Christmas markets in the United States for the 2026 holiday season. Cullman is the only Southern market selected for the national feature, which highlights holiday destinations worth planning a trip around.
The national publication recognized the event alongside markets in major cities and historic holiday towns including New York City, Chicago, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Carmel, Indiana, and Leavenworth, Washington. The feature noted Cullman Christkindlmarkt’s growth, authentic German elements, and signature attractions, such as the world’s largest Schwibbogen and the tallest Christmas pyramid in North America.
The annual gathering expanded from eight wooden huts and roughly 5,000 visitors during its 2019 inaugural run to a downtown holiday village that welcomed more than 415,000 visitors in 2025. That visitor count represents about 20 times the population of Cullman, which is home to approximately 20,000 residents.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey praised the market’s trajectory, calling it an Alabama tourism success story. She noted that the event has grown into a nationally recognized destination welcoming visitors from all 50 states while celebrating the city’s German heritage.
Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs said the national recognition showcases the community’s heritage, draws visitors from across the country, and delivers a real economic impact for local businesses. He added that he hopes readers who learn about the city through Travel + Leisure will visit in November.
The 2025 event ran for 24 days and featured 75 vendors spread across more than a quarter-mile of vending space. Vendors offered handcrafted goods, holiday merchandise, and traditional German cuisine, including a flagship structure housing German retailer Käthe Wohlfahrt.
Approximately 80 percent of attendees traveled from outside Cullman County, generating an estimated $28 million in local economic impact. The event is produced by Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism with assistance from city departments, local businesses, and community volunteers.
Nathan Anderson, executive director of Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism, attributed the success to the hundreds of people involved in building and operating the market each year. He said the organizers set out to deliver an experience that reflects local heritage while standing among the best in the nation.
The Travel + Leisure ranking follows additional accolades for the event. The Alabama Tourism Department named Cullman Christkindlmarkt the 2026 Alabama Event of the Year, and the Southeast Tourism Society selected it as a 2025 Signature Event of the Southeast.
The 2026 Cullman Christkindlmarkt will run from Nov. 19 through Dec. 23. Admission to the market is free.
Follow us on social media
Facebook • Instagram • Tiktok • Newsbreak
Visit our other sites
Finding Connecticut • Finding New York City • Finding The Hudson Valley • Finding Lehigh Valley • Finding Westport
