Guide to Nisswa · The Nordic
Christmas Markets in Nisswa & the Brainerd Lakes (2026 Dates)
If your idea of holiday shopping involves a cup of something warm, handmade gifts and saying hi to the person who made them, you're in the right place. The Brainerd Lakes area has a wonderful run of Christmas markets and craft shows from early November right up to the holidays, and they're all an easy drive from our homes in Nisswa.
We've gathered every 2026 market we could verify with the organizer or the local chamber, along with the ones that haven't announced their dates yet (we've marked those clearly). Dates and hours can change, so please confirm before you go.
Key takeaways
- Sat Nov 7 is a big craft-show day: two shows in Brainerd plus a shopping block party in Pequot Lakes.
- The Kringle Market in Brainerd opens Nov 13–14 and runs through Christmas Eve.
- Nisswa City of Lights is Fri Nov 27 (free; schedule TBA).
- Off the Rails Christmas Market (150+ vendors) is Dec 11–12, with free general admission on Saturday.
- Bring cash: some smaller shows are cash or check only.
At a glance: 2026 holiday markets
| Date | Market | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sat Nov 7, 9–3 | Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival | Brainerd High School (enter at the Gichi-ziibi Center, 602 S 5th St) |
| Sat Nov 7, 9–2 | Holiday Craft Show & Bake Sale | The Center, 803 Kingwood St, Brainerd |
| Sat Nov 7 | Deer Hunting Opener Shopping Block Party (confirm hours) | Downtown Pequot Lakes |
| Nov 13 – Dec 24 | Kringle Market | The Crossing Arts, 711 Laurel St, Brainerd |
| Nov 13–14, 9–6 | Common Goods Christmas Showcase | Baxter, Crosslake & Crosby stores |
| Fri Nov 27 | City of Lights | Downtown Nisswa |
| Sat Dec 5 | Ruttger's Annual Christmas Market | Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge, Deerwood |
| Dec 11–12 | Off the Rails Christmas Market | Northern Pacific Center, Brainerd |
| Sat Dec 12, 3–7 | Santa's Bobbin' Into Town | Pequot Lakes |
| Sat Dec 19, 8–3 | MarineMax Nisswa Holiday Open House (Santa 11–2) | MarineMax Nisswa |
Early November: craft-show Saturday
Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival, Brainerd
Saturday, Nov 7, 9 am–3 pm. Held at Brainerd High School; enter at the Gichi-ziibi Center, 602 S 5th St. It's listed on the Brainerd Lakes Chamber calendar. It's a great one to start your gift list.
Holiday Craft Show & Bake Sale at The Center
Saturday, Nov 7, 9 am–2 pm at The Center, 803 Kingwood St, Brainerd. Expect 20+ vendors and a bake sale. Cash or check only, so stop at the ATM first.
Deer Hunting Opener Shopping Block Party, Pequot Lakes
The 14th annual block party is on Saturday, Nov 7 in downtown Pequot Lakes, just up Highway 371 from Nisswa. Listings show conflicting hours, so confirm before you go with the Pequot Lakes chamber.
The Kringle Market (Nov 13 – Dec 24)
The Kringle Market at The Crossing Arts, 711 Laurel St in Brainerd, is a seasonal shop full of work by area artists.
- Opening: Fri Nov 13, 3–7 pm and Sat Nov 14, 10 am–4 pm
- Holiday hours: Tue–Fri 10–5, Sat 10–4
- Christmas Eve: 10 am–3 pm
It's a lovely last-minute stop too.
Common Goods Christmas Showcase (Nov 13–14)
Common Goods holds its 5th annual Christmas Showcase on Nov 13–14, 9 am–6 pm at its Baxter, Crosslake and Crosby stores. Pick up a Christmas Passport and get it stamped at all three stores for a chance at a gift-certificate drawing; note the stores close Thursday, Nov 12 to set up. Common Goods locations and hours.
City of Lights, Nisswa (Fri Nov 27)
Our hometown's holiday kickoff! City of Lights is a free celebration in downtown Nisswa the day after Thanksgiving. Past years have featured train rides, Polar Express storytelling, food merchants, bonfires, hot cider, mini donuts, carolers, Santa and fireworks. The 2026 schedule is still to be announced. Downtown shops are open too, so it's the perfect night to stroll; see our Holiday Shopping in Nisswa.
December markets
Ruttger's Annual Christmas Market, Deerwood (Sat Dec 5)
Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge hosts its annual Christmas Market on Saturday, Dec 5, and follows it with its Grinchiest Weekend Dec 11–13. The market runs 10 am–3 pm (event page).
Off the Rails Christmas Market, Brainerd (Dec 11–12)
The big one: 150+ vendors at the Northern Pacific Center, 1511 Northern Pacific Rd in Brainerd.
- VIP night: Fri Dec 11, 6–9 pm (ticketed; see the event page)
- General admission: Sat Dec 12, 9 am–3 pm (free)
Santa's Bobbin' Into Town, Pequot Lakes (Sat Dec 12)
The 15th annual Santa's Bobbin' Into Town is Saturday, Dec 12, 4–8 pm in downtown Pequot Lakes. Trailside Park has a bonfire, horse and wagon rides, cocoa and cookies, a kids' bobber hunt and carolers from 4–6, the tree lighting is at 5:45, the parade at 6 and fireworks at 6:20 (event listing).
MarineMax Nisswa Holiday Open House (Sat Dec 19)
8 am–3 pm, with Santa from 11–2. It's a fun, family-friendly stop before the big week. Bring a food or household item for the Lakes Area Food Shelf drive (event listing).
Not yet announced
These are popular in the area, but we couldn't verify 2026 dates. We'll update this post when they're posted:
- Brainerd Jaycees Holiday Extravaganza (2027 date not confirmed)
- Merry Makers & Mistletoe (not verified)
- Snarky Loon crafters fair (not verified)
- A City of Lights vendor fair (not verified)
Tips for market days
- Bring cash. Smaller shows are often cash or check only.
- Pack a tote and a blanket for the car. Handmade pottery and glass travel better wrapped.
- Go early for the best selection, and late for a quieter stroll.
- Make a day of it. Pair a Brainerd market with lunch; our Eat Like a Local post has ideas.
FAQ
When is the Nisswa City of Lights in 2026?
Friday, November 27, 2026, in downtown Nisswa. It's free; the schedule is TBA.
What's the biggest Christmas market near Brainerd?
Off the Rails at the Northern Pacific Center, with 150+ vendors (Dec 11–12).
Is the Kringle Market open every day?
No. After opening weekend it's Tue–Fri 10–5 and Sat 10–4, plus Christmas Eve 10–3.
How far are these markets from Nisswa?
Brainerd is about 20 minutes south, Pequot Lakes is about 10 minutes north, and Deerwood is roughly 40 minutes.
Come shop the season with us
Want the bigger picture on holiday shopping, from downtown boutiques to nearby towns? Head to Holiday Shopping in Nisswa. And when your arms are full of handmade treasures, we'll have a warm place waiting for you at the lake.
Book direct
Our best rate, no booking fees, straight from us. Book direct at bookingthenordicmn.com. See our homes.
