The Best LGBT+ Christmas Markets for 2024

Christmas markets are hugely popular during the festive season. There’s nothing quite like wrapping up warm, drinking overpriced mulled wine from a paper cup, and wandering around the stalls.

The tradition is believed to have started in Germany and Austria, where winter markets offered townsfolk the chance to buy supplies and provisions in anticipation of the colder months. Over time, these markets incorporated a festive element, becoming tied to Advent and offering seasonal goods, gifts, and foods.

The popularity of Christmas markets spread across Europe largely due to cultural exchange and the charm of these winter gatherings. Germany, Austria, and parts of Eastern Europe were pivotal in exporting the idea to neighboring countries. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Christmas markets began to gain significant traction outside of Europe, with cities in the United States, Canada, and the UK embracing the concept.

Here’s our guide to the best LGBT+ Christmas markets. Yes, they do exist and they are more fun than the straight Christmas markets.

Pink Christmas 2024: LGBT Christmas Market in Munich

Pink Christmas 2024 is set to brighten up Munich’s Stephansplatz from November 25th to December 23rd. This queer-themed Christmas market is a festive experience with a twist, featuring holiday gift stalls, seasonal foods, and a dedicated Prosecco bar, along with the city’s finest mulled wine. You can look forward to daily DJ performances and a drag show every Sunday. Situated in the vibrant Glockenbachviertel neighborhood, Pink Christmas celebrates is tons of fun. Think of it as a traditional German Christmas market—just a bit gayer!

Hamburg Winter Pride 2024

Hamburg Winter Pride 2024 returns to the city’s St. Georg district from November 16th to December 22nd. Known as Hamburg’s only queer Christmas market, Winter Pride offers festive stalls with holiday treats, crafts, and mulled wine. The event takes place at the corner of Lange Reihe and Kirchenallee. With music from DJs on Friday and Saturday nights, Winter Pride is the place to celebrate the holiday season in the gayest way possible. It’s an essential stop for anyone looking to experience an LGBT+ twist on traditional German Christmas markets.

Holly Folly: Provincetown's 2024 LGBT Holiday Festival

Holly Folly, Provincetown’s beloved LGBTQ+ holiday festival, returns from December 1-3, 2024. As one of the country’s largest and longest-running queer holiday events, Holly Folly brings a weekend full of festive fun. Key events include the famous Jingle Bell Run & Champagne Brunch, where participants take a spirited run down Commercial Street in holiday-themed swimsuits. Other highlights include drag bingo, holiday sing-alongs, dance parties, and a holiday market featuring local vendors. The weekend is topped off with performances by local entertainers, offering a festive and inclusive celebration for all.

Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas 2024

Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas 2024 runs from November 1st to January 5th, transforming the park into a festive wonderland with over six million twinkling lights and areas like Santa’s Village and Glacier Ridge. It’s not a gay even but it takes place at Dollywood so it’s camp. Known as one of America’s best Christmas events, the celebration includes heartwarming holiday shows like Christmas in the Smokies and Twas the Night Before Christmas, as well as outdoor performances such as O Holy Night and Holiday Wild Roots. You can explore holiday markets, enjoy southern seasonal foods, and experience a new Christmas drone show lighting up the winter sky. It's the perfect family-friendly holiday experience with the charm of the Smoky Mountains. Book your Dollywood hotel here