The Best Christmas Markets In Europe

If you plan to travel over the holiday season, you may want to explore some traditional Christmas markets. You can find wintry villages, markets, and festivals all over Europe, but here are some of our favorite festive destinations. 

Christmas markets originated in Germany, so it makes sense to head to its capital city to get into the holiday spirit. Berlin has lots of markets, but the most popular is the one in Alexanderplatz. From November 27–December 26, you will find hundreds of vendors selling traditional handicrafts and serving Yuletide classics such as gingerbread, bratwurst, pretzels, strudel, and glühwein (hot mulled wine). Highlights at the Alexanderplatz winter village include a Ferris wheel, a skating rink, and a walk-in Christmas pyramid decorated with over 5000 lights. Visit Berlin’s official website to learn more about the Alexanderplatz Christmas Market.

If you want the royal treatment, head to Charlottenburg Palace. From November 27th to December 31st, the palace is illuminated by colorful lights, and you will find numerous wooden huts with Xmas delicacies. To keep children entertained, the complex has two small merry-go-rounds and a small Ferris wheel. The Berlin site also has details about the Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace.

This picturesque town in the Alsace region of France is often referred to as the “Capital of Christmas.” From November 24-December 24, you will find at least 300 chalets in different city squares. Start by visiting Christkindelsmärik, the oldest Christmas market in France (it first opened in 1570). You can purchase souvenirs such as nativity figurines, beeswax candles, and tree ornaments. The food options are diverse, with vendors offering everything from foie gras, to flambéed baguettes, to bredle (Alsatian Christmas cookies). If you are thirsty, you can choose from vin chaud (hot, mulled wine), hot chocolate, or hot cider. Don’t leave before watching the projection show. Images are projected on the facade of the Hotel de Ville (city hall) while you listen to well-known Christmas stories. 

Another popular spot in Strasbourg is Place Kléber, home of the tallest decorated Xmas tree in Europe. All of the streets and buildings in the city are decorated beautifully, but nothing can compete with a thirty-meter tree covered in shimmering lights.  Visit the city’s homepage for more information about the Christmas Market in Strasbourg.

The Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market runs from November 23rd to December 23rd. The iconic Gothic cathedral is surrounded by over a hundred decorated stalls selling yule crafts and food. You can even watch glassblowers, embroiders, wood carvers, and other artists create holiday gifts in real time. If you are a foodie, you must try traditional dishes such as potato pancakes, grilled bratwurst, and roasted sugared almonds. Be sure to wash them down with some glühwein or kölsch beer!   If you are a music lover, you will enjoy the various stage performances featuring gospel, brass band, and swing concerts. Visit the Cologne Tourism website to learn more about the Christmas Market at Cologne Cathedral.

From November 17, 2023 to January 1, 2024, there is a large festive market in Budapest’s Vörösmarty Square. You will find yourself surrounded by chalet-style huts with vendors selling spiced wine, honey cookies, chimney cakes, and other yummy treats. You can also shop for holiday decorations such as wreaths, nativity scenes, and tree ornaments. The festival features a variety of shows on an outdoor stage. You could listen to a jazz, folk, soul, or blues concert, or perhaps see a dance performance. If you have kids, they will enjoy puppet shows, craft workshops, and the children’s train.

Another impressive Christmas bazaar is the one in front of Saint Stephen’s Basilica (same dates). In addition to shopping and eating as above, you can skate on a small ice rink in the middle of the market. Be sure to catch the evening light show to see Christmas-themed images projected onto the church’s facade. To explore all the Christmas fairs in Budapest, visit the city’s tourist site.

Vienna has at least 20 official Advent markets where you can find seasonal gifts and tasty confections such as hot punch and roasted chestnuts. The most famous is the one in front of the city hall (Rathaus). From November 10th to December 26th, you can listen to carol concerts, go ice skating, ride a carousel, or photograph the giant Christmas tree and nativity scene. The Viennese town hall itself is a sight to behold. Its facade becomes an oversized Advent calendar, and each day a window is revealed. The Wiener Christkindlmarkt website has more details.

If you have always wanted to see Schönbrunn Palace, why not visit during the holiday season? With the majestic Habsburg palace as a backdrop, you will be sure to enjoy the Christmas/New Year’s market, open from November 18, 2023 to January 4, 2024. You will find booths with quality arts and crafts, an 18-meter Christmas tree, and a small stage for open-air advent concerts. To learn more, visit the official website for the Christmas Market at Schloss Schönbrunn.

In Old Town Square, you will find a gigantic (23-meter) Christmas tree and dozens of wooden houses selling handicrafts or decadent food. The holiday festival runs from December 2, 2023 to January 6, 2024, and hosts many Christmas shows and concerts. There is also a light tree lighting ceremony every hour starting at 4:30 p.m. Souvenir shoppers will find toys, candles, jewelry, glassware, embroidered lace, tree ornaments, and more. Foodies can devour barbecued sausages, ham roasted on a spit, fish soup, and a variety of sweet or savory dumplings. Go to the official tourist website for Prague to find out more about the Old Town Square Christmas Market.

The Grand-Place is home to the “Plaisirs d’Hiver” festival from November 24th to December 31st. The winter event is famous for its enormous Christmas tree, traditional life-sized nativity scene, and spectacular sound and light show. Visit the 200+ wood chalets to shop for festive gifts. Additionally, you can skate on the covered ice rink or ride the Ferris wheel. You should sample food specialties such as fries with mayonnaise, tartiflettes, Belgian waffles, and, of course, chocolate! To see a full list of attractions, visit the Plaisirs d’Hiver website.

From November 19th to December 31st, the iconic Tivoli Gardens amusement park transforms into a festive winter wonderland. The gardens are beautifully decorated, and you will find food stalls selling Danish Yuletide classics such as marzipan, æbleskiver (pancake balls), gingerbread hearts, gløgg (mulled wine), and rice pudding. In addition to riding the theme park attractions, you and your family can visit Santa, glide across the ice rink, and listen to Christmas songs played by the Tivoli Youth Guard. For additional information, please refer to the Tivoli Gardens website.

We hope this article inspires you to travel at Christmastime. Each city incorporates local traditions and food, so every Christmas market will be different. Enjoy eating, drinking, shopping, and celebrating in a festive winter wonderland!

If you want some other tips to enhance your European travels, please read our articles Must-See Places In Budapest and Paris – Things To See vs. Skip.