Christkindlmarkt
Helen's free Christmas market: handmade gifts, decorations and sweets on two November and December weekends
Christkindlmarkt, in short
Nov 28 to 29
Saturday and Sunday
Dec 5 to 6
Saturday and Sunday
10 AM to 5 PM
Free
Dates, hours and cost
| Dates | Days | Hours | Cost | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 28-29, 2026 | Saturday and Sunday | 10 AM-5 PM | Free | Marktplatz and Unicoi Hill Park |
| Dec 5-6, 2026 | Saturday and Sunday | 10 AM-5 PM | Free | Marktplatz and Unicoi Hill Park |
| Nov 27-28 and Dec 4-5, 2027 (20th market) | Weekend after Thanksgiving and the next | To be announced | Free in past years | Downtown Helen |
The market is run by the Helen Chamber of Commerce (706-878-1908), and 2026 is its 19th year. There are no Friday or evening hours. The Welcome Center listing is the place to check for changes.
What you will find
Handmade gifts and sweets, with dinner left to the restaurants.
This is a shopping market with a mountain-town scale, not a German import. The Chamber describes it as "unique handmade Christmas gifts and decorations along with an assortment of sweets and treats," and the vendor lineup changes from year to year, so come to browse: ornaments for the tree, decorations for the mantel, small gifts you won't see in a department store. The Chamber calls it Helen's Christmas Market; Christkindlmarkt is the German name for this kind of Advent market.
If you want imported German ornaments and nutcrackers, The Christmas Shoppe on North Main Street is an easy add-on; its holiday hours run Thursday, Sunday and Monday 10 AM-5 PM and Friday-Saturday 10 AM-6 PM, and it's closed Tuesday and Wednesday. For something sweet, Hofer's of Helen Bakery (8758 N Main St) and Hansel & Gretel Candy Kitchen are both on Main Street.
The market food is the sweet kind. Savory food is at the restaurants, and Helen's German restaurants such as Bodensee and Hofbrauhaus are a short walk from the Marktplatz. Saturdays are busy, so eat a little early or a little late. Unicoi Hill Park has a playground and restrooms, which makes it the natural reset point if you're shopping with kids.
Photos
The village glows with holiday lights during December
Artisan vendors offer handcrafted ornaments and gifts
Sweets and holiday treats at the market stalls
Wooden stalls line the Marktplatz during the market
Tips for market weekends
Dress for the weather
December in Helen averages a high of 51 and a low of 32 (NOAA 1991-2020), and it is the wettest month, so bring a waterproof layer, gloves and a hat. The market is mostly outdoors.
Bring some cash
Vendors set their own payment options, and some prefer cash.
Go Saturday afternoon, or Sunday morning
Saturday afternoon is the liveliest stretch. Sunday morning is the calm one.
Pair it with the lights
The Lighting of the Village is Friday, November 27, 5-7 PM at Riverside Park, the evening before the first market weekend. In past seasons they have stayed up into the new year.
Parking is the part to plan. The city has free lots east of Main Street and one pay lot on Edelweiss Strasse at the Davidson Bridge, and private lots (mostly west of Main) post their rates at the entrance; see our downtown parking guide for the full picture. Another option is to park at Hardman Farm (143 Highway 17) and walk the paved, accessible 1-mile Heritage Trail into town along the Chattahoochee.
Make a weekend of it
The market is a good opener for a December trip. Saturday, December 5 is the one day you can shop the market by day and visit Hardman Farm that evening; see our Victorian Christmas guide. To see everything on your dates, use the trip-dates filter on our events calendar.
| Event | When | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Victorian Christmas at Hardman Farm | Fri and Sat evenings, Dec 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19, 4 to 7 PM | Pre-register: adults $30, youth $22, family $65 |
| Lighted Christmas parade | Saturday, December 12, 6 PM | Listed on the Welcome Center events page |
| Dropping of the Edelweiss | December 31 | At the Festhalle |
Frequently asked questions
When is Christkindlmarkt 2026?
Helen's Christmas Market runs Saturday and Sunday, November 28-29, and Saturday and Sunday, December 5-6, 2026, 10 AM to 5 PM each day. There are no Friday or evening hours.
How much does Christkindlmarkt cost?
Admission is free. You pay only for what you buy from vendors. Bring some cash in case a vendor does not take cards.
Is Christkindlmarkt good for kids?
Yes. It is free, runs in daylight, and Unicoi Hill Park has a playground and restrooms. The Chamber does not list a Santa visit at the market, but Santa is at the Lighting of the Village on Friday, November 27 (5-7 PM, Riverside Park) and in the lighted parade on December 12.
Is there food at the market?
The Chamber describes the market as handmade gifts, decorations, sweets and treats. Savory meals are at Helen's restaurants, a short walk from the Marktplatz.
When is the 2027 Christmas Market?
The 20th market is set for November 27-28 and December 4-5, 2027. Hours have not been announced.
Where to Stay for the Christkindlmarkt
Book a cabin or inn for Helen's Christmas market weekends. Compare live prices for early December across major booking sites.
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