If you plan December around what to eat, Virginia’s Christmas markets are your holiday sweet spot. Imagine steam rising from cups of mulled wine while you wander past twinkling stalls stacked with gingerbread, oyster fritters, and maple walnut fudge. Every stop dishes out something seasonal and soul warming, from German classics to coastal comforts and vineyard sips. Bring an appetite and a tote bag, because you will want seconds and a few edible souvenirs.
Charlottesville Holiday Market on Water Street
Charlottesville serves a farm-forward feast that tastes like the season got an advanced degree. Begin with apple cider hot enough to hug your hands, then split a cheddar biscuit stacked with country ham and pepper jelly. Nearby, a vendor grills rosemary chicken skewers that drip over roasted root vegetables.
Pie enthusiasts, come prepared. Bakers line tables with bourbon pecan, sweet potato, and pear cranberry galettes, each slice whispering for whipped cream. For something portable, snag a pimento cheese hand pie and a bag of herbed popcorn. Local roasters pour velvety lattes dusted with nutmeg, while a chocolatier offers tiny truffles that punch above their size.
Vegetarians eat well here too. Think mushroom gravy over grits, maple-roasted carrot dogs, and a salad studded with spiced pecans. Finish with a ginger cookie ice cream sandwich wrapped in wax paper that warms to your pockets. The buskers play, the lights glow, and suddenly grocery lists feel optional because dinner already happened, deliciously.
Occoquan Holiday Artisan Market in the historic river town
Occoquan’s riverside breeze makes cocoa taste richer and crab cakes smell like celebration. Wander the cobblestones and you will land on vendors griddling oyster fritters and handing out lemon wedges with a wink. The market balances nautical comfort with small-town charm, so your plate might carry hushpuppies next to candied pecans.
Start savory with gumbo simmering in deep pots, then pivot to pierogi stuffed with potato and chives. A pretzel stand serves beer cheese you will dream about, while a kettle corn drum keeps snapping like sleigh bells. Coffee carts spike mochas with peppermint, and cider stands slide cinnamon sticks across lids like punctuation.
For dessert, hunt down a baker crafting cranberry-orange loaf slices and maple glazed donuts. If you want a lighter finish, choose citrus cups dusted with chili salt for a surprising snap. Grab a riverside bench, watch reflections ripple, and let the steam rise from your cup. That last sip will taste like winter done right.
Lucketts Holiday House and Winter Markets, Leesburg
Lucketts is where vintage finds meet vintage flavors. While you scout antique sleds and mercury glass, the air carries cinnamon and fryer-sweet perfume. Start with hot donuts tossed in sugar while they are still crackly, then move to smoked sausage rolls tucked into flaky pastry.
Vendors lean cozy. Expect tomato basil soup in handled cups, puffy biscuits with honey butter, and cast iron mac and cheese that pulls in long, dramatic ribbons. A pie table reads like a family reunion: chocolate chess, mincemeat, and apple streusel that crunches delightfully.
Do not skip the cider bar. Order a hot pour with orange peel and a clove or a chilled sparkling version to reset your palate. For a playful bite, try cheddar popcorn dusted with rosemary and a dash of paprika. Pack a slice of gingerbread for the ride home. The road out feels shorter with warm spice riding shotgun.
Virginia Beach Christmas Market and vendor villages
At the Virginia Beach Christmas Market, seafood steals the sleigh. Start with creamy clam chowder ladled into bread bowls and topped with chive confetti. Vendors fry shrimp po boys that drip thoughtfully, while hushpuppies arrive golden and proud.
For a land option, there are smoked turkey panini pressed with cranberry relish and melty brie. Sweet teeth should be ready for praline pecans, saltwater taffy in peppermint swirls, and caramel-drizzled apple slices. Hot cocoa bars invite over-the-top toppings, from crushed candy cane to toasted marshmallows that sag delightfully.
Craving a festive sip. Try spiced cider or a local winter ale if you are lingering at a tasting booth. Save space for funnel cakes dusted like fresh snow and a snappy dill pickle to reset between bites. Before leaving, tuck a pouch of seaside seasoning into your bag so weeknight dinners taste like holiday boardwalk. The ocean breeze completes the seasoning.
Roanoke Who-ville Holiday Market on Market Square
Roanoke goes playful, and your taste buds follow. In Market Square, the Who-ville theme turns chili into a character and donuts into plot twists. Grab a cup of smoky chili crowned with sharp cheddar and crushed crackers, then add a buttered cornbread wedge for proper spoon work.
Vendors sling grilled cheese with tomato jam, sweet potato fries dusted with cinnamon, and bratwurst with tangy sauerkraut. A local creamery samples cheddar nibbles that melt into warm pretzels. Warm up with hot cider or a ginger tea that calms winter’s edge like a quiet chorus.
Dessert is cheerful chaos. Sprinkle bars let you dress sugar cookies in neon joy, while bakers torch marshmallow onto brownie squares. If you prefer classic, pick a slice of hummingbird cake and call it a victory. The mountains glow beyond the stalls, and suddenly your bag feels heavy with snacks and small kindnesses.
Richmond Christkindlmarket and neighborhood holiday markets
Richmond layers markets like a generous buffet, and food is the throughline. At the Christkindlmarket, start with bratwurst and sauerkraut, then warm your hands on glühwein scented with orange. A bakery stall hands out stollen slices studded with almonds and a whisper of rum.
Hop to church bazaars and neighborhood pop-ups for pimento cheese tea sandwiches, puffy yeast rolls, and chicken pot pie cups. You might find pierogi next to empanadas, proof that Richmond eats globally while keeping grandma’s recipes close. Local roasters craft mochas with cardamom that feel like mittens from the inside.
End with blackstrap gingerbread and a wedge of gooey chess pie to honor Virginia’s sweet tooth. If you prefer savory souvenirs, snag pickled okra and a jar of pepper jelly. Walk between venues under strings of lights and let the city feel small and neighborly. By night’s end, your tote will clink with jars and jingle with cookie tins.
Herndon WinterMarkt
Herndon WinterMarkt is a vibrant celebration inspired by traditional German markets. With the aroma of mulled wine and bratwurst in the air, visitors are drawn into a world of culinary delight. Each stall offers unique flavors, from warm pretzels to delectable pastries.
The market atmosphere is filled with the joyful sounds of carolers and the laughter of families enjoying the holiday spirit. Children’s eyes light up at the sight of handcrafted gifts and festive decorations.
Herndon’s market not only brings community and culture together but also creates cherished holiday memories.
Mistletoe Market Yorktown
Nestled by the historic shores, Mistletoe Market captures the essence of the holidays. From handcrafted gingerbread to creamy eggnog, this market offers a variety of seasonal delights. Families stroll through the cobblestone pathways, savoring each bite.
Local vendors showcase their best, with rich mulled cider and freshly baked pies filling the air with warmth. The cheerful decorations and friendly chatter add to the festive ambience.
Don’t miss the signature smoked ham, a beloved specialty that draws visitors from afar. Embrace the season’s flavors at Mistletoe Market, where tradition meets taste.