North Carolina Is Home To One Of The Merriest Christmas Markets In The U.S.
Christmas lights of reindeers
When you think of Christmas Markets, what comes to mind? Maybe charming shops with beautiful Christmas lights and quaint decorations. Taking a stroll with hot cocoa in hand from shop to shop. North Carolina is home to one of the merriest Christmas Markets in the U.S.
A true Christmas Market is steeped in history and tradition. According to Veranda.com, this is how it all got started. The website says Christmas markets actually began way back in medieval Germany. About 3,000 Christmas markets pop up there every year. Lucky for us, we don’t have to go all the way to Europe. North Carolina is home to one of the best Christmas markets in the U.S.
Veranda scoured the country and found 12 of the Merriest Christmas Markets in the U.S. One of them can be found in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Scandinavian Christmas Fair in Raleigh is a one day event at the state fairgrounds. This fair highlights the Christmas traditions in Scandinavia. Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland make up that area.
Here are some things you can find at the Scandinavian Christmas Fair in Raleigh. According to our source, Veranda, “The Saint Lucia procession features young girls dressed in white with lighted wreaths on their heads and boys dressed in white pajama-like costumes singing traditional songs to celebrate the season of light”. Check out gifts and foods from the Nordic countries. And oh the food and drink! Sample the glogg. Not familiar with that beverage? I wasn’t either. It sounds delicious though and for adults only. It is made with hot spiced wine and liquor.
To learn more about the 12 Merriest Christmas Markets in the United States, get details here. The Scandinavian Christmas Fair is open on December 2 at Kerr Scott Building.
Stores and Restaurants Open on Christmas Day
Most of us eagerly anticipate spending Christmas Day unwrapping gifts and enjoying time with family. But certain overlooked items always require a last-minute visit to a store. That’s when knowing which spots are open becomes beneficial.
Why certain places opt to remain open on Christmas?
It might strike some as unusual that certain places opt to remain open on Christmas. However, not everyone observes the holiday. Some individuals may even prefer working during this time, anticipating more generous tips. The thing about Christmas is that ads and commercials usually depict it as the ultimate day of the year for everyone. Yet, for those who are missing loved ones or simply prefer to overlook Christmas entirely, it might not be the “most wonderful time of the year” for them. The places that choose to stay open on Christmas may have valid reasons for doing so.
Several restaurants and stores typically close early on Christmas Eve and remain closed on Christmas Day, but this doesn’t apply universally. Some chains keep various locations open during the holiday season. If you’re curious about your local spots, either make a call or check online to confirm their hours.
For those in the mood for a steak, options like Outback can cater to such preferences, while coffee enthusiasts can rely on chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts to stay caffeinated during the holiday rush. Some restaurants offer dining-in options with reservations, while others, such as Cracker Barrel and Boston Market, provide à la carte holiday menus to accommodate a range of preferences.
Whether your Christmas tradition involves a home-cooked meal, dining out at a favorite spot, or a quick store run for forgotten items, knowing the operating hours of nearby stores and restaurants on Christmas Day can be useful. To save time and prevent the inconvenience of visiting closed stores, we’ve compiled a list of some places open during this festive period. Additionally, for those not participating in Christmas celebrations or preferring takeout, there are dining alternatives available.
Catherine Lane is the morning show co-host and midday host on Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been with the station for the past 24 years and is a recipient of the Academy of Country Music Major Market Personality of the Year award. Catherine has been on air in both radio and television in the Queen City for 38 years. As a content creator for Country 1037, Catherine writes blogs on local events and restaurants. She also writes about great travel spots and out of the way places in the Carolinas. Anything outdoors, travel, food, animals or the many country artists from the Carolinas.
