Photo: Contiki
Table of Contents
Christmas at home is pretty great, but a Christmas in Europe is like no other. What other continent transforms its cutest cities and towns into magical holiday snow globes, all in the name of Saint Nick?
There’s a lot of debate around where the best Christmas markets in Europe are, but you’re a winner in our books so long as you’re at a Christmas market! Twinkling lights, endless gingerbread, quirky craft stalls, live music, ice skating rinks – all you need to do is pick your favourite from our top 28 recommendations and get your mulled wine on all winter long…
Where is Europe’s biggest Christmas market?
Europe has a plethora of Christmas markets. But if you’re looking for one to completely lose yourself in, the Vienna Christmas market is where you wanna go. There are over 4 million visitors that step into the historic streets of the city to admire the twinkling lights over the stalls of handmade goodies, seasonal treats and the sweet smell of roasting chestnuts.
The close second happens to be the Nuremberg Christmas market in Germany.
Image source:Contiki
Which European country has the best Christmas markets?
Gosh! Can you really choose? Every country has some of the most unique Christmas markets you’ll see – all decked out with traditional foods and handicrafts. But if you’re asking for the popular consensus, then we think the award for the best Christmas markets in Europe goes to… Germany! Glittery lights. Gigantic Christmas trees. Aromatic food stalls. A good ol’ pint of German beer – it doesn’t get more festive than this.
But another country that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Germany (or almost at least) is Hungary. Especially because of the St. Stephen’s Basilica Christmas market in Budapest. Either way – no matter which country in Europe you’re in – Christmas will always be one of the best times to visit!
Best Christmas markets in Europe
So, now that we’ve been through the biggest and the (alleged) best, let’s tell you about all the other amazing Christmas markets in Europe! Though if you want to check out European festivities the easy way, check out our Christmas trips.
1. Munich, Germany
Every time winter strikes this city, there’s magic in the air. You’ll find an entire line-up of glittery stalls in Munich Christmas market (right in the centre of the Old Town). If you want a very special postcard for Christmas, head down to the Christkindl post office for a surprise! And, don’t forget to catch the extra magical view from St Peter’s Church Tower after sunset – it’s the locals’ best kept secret.
Dates: 25th November 2024 until 24th December 2024
Address: Marienplatz and Rindermarkt
Image source:Contiki
2. Colmar, France
If you ever wanna feel like you’re walking into a story book, the Christmas market in Colmar might be your calling. Picturesque settings. Alsatian flair. Half-timbered houses. Cobblestoned streets. They’re all about regional specialities here. You’ll find Alsatian wines, traditional pastries like Kougelhopf, and local crafts all lined up to get wrapped into perfect gifts for loved ones around the world.
Dates: 26th November 2024 until 29th December 2024
Address: Place des Dominicains
3. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Looking for a sustainable Christmas gift? Head straight to Slovenia. It might be one of the smaller markets in Europe, but it certainly is a treat to the eyes, and also our planet! The Christmas market in Ljubljana happens to be one of the most eco-friendly markets out there. You’ll find sustainable clothing, and PLENTY of vegan and vegetarian food options. All of this with a backdrop of a gorgeous town. You bet Santa puts Slovenia on his ‘Nice’ list!
Dates: 29th November 2024 until 5th January 2025
Address: Old Town
Image source:Contiki
4. Athens, Greece
There’s no end to the wonderful sights that Athens has to offer. Some historical, and some fun and festive. You’ll find the Athens Christmas Market guarded by the Parliament building in Syntagma Square. The luscious honey-drenched Loukoumades (Greek donuts) are something you NEED to try!
Dates: 1st December 2024 until 7th January 2025
Address: Technopolis courtyard
5. Stockholm, Sweden
If you’re gonna do the Christmas markets right, you might as well get as close to the North Pole as possible, and the Stockholm Christmas markets are an amazing choice. There are several to choose from in the area but highlights include a great tree at Bollnäs Square, DIY Christmas decorations and amazing foods like sugared almonds and marzipan at Skansen. Plus, check out the amazing crafts unique to Sweden for sale near the Royal Palace.
Dates: 11th November 2024 until 29th December 2024 (depending on the market)
Address: All over the city!
Image source:Contiki
6. Copenhagen, Denmark
The Tivoli Gardens are a riot on any day, but when Copenhagen gets its Christmas on, you’ll know why it’s one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. Combine the infamously intense rides of this amusement park with new Christmas thrills, and your holiday before the holidays is made! There’s a Christmas tree decorated in Swarovski crystals, honey cakes, roast pork and endless Christmas lights for a memorable experience at the Copenhagen Christmas markets.
Dates: 15th November 2024 until 5th January 2025
Address: Tivoli Gardens
7. Birmingham, UK
When you think about an authentic German Christmas Market, chances are you don’t think about the UK, but that’s what makes the Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham that much more magical.
As the self-proclaimed ‘largest authentic German Christmas Market outside of Germany or Austria’, this gem in Birmingham’s Victoria Square has more than 80 stalls of traditional German foods like delicious pretzels, schnitzel, weissbier and glühwein. Bonus – there’s a nearby Christmas Craft Market to indulge in some of the best homemade holiday goodies the UK has to offer.
Dates: 1st November 2024 until 24th December 2024
Address: Victoria Square
8. Krakow, Poland
A snowy and beautiful Christmas market experience is pretty much guaranteed when the North Pole comes to the Christmas markets in Poland. The big must-do is found in Krakow’s main square of Rynek Glowny. Famous for stunning antiques, hand-painted and handmade crafts, it’s a great place to pick up something unique for the holidays.
Dates: 24th November 2024 until 1st January 2025
Address: Rynek Główny, town main square
9. Florence, Italy
Another stunning city, another cluster of awesome markets. Florence’s shining market star is definitely in Piazza Santa Croce, which offers the best handicrafts and food with a German-Italian flair. Visit Piazza del Duomo for a stunning tree and nativity scene as well.
Dates: 19th November 2024 until 18th December 2024
Address: Piazza Santa Croce by Basilica di Santa Croce
10. Frankfurt, Germany
There’s nothing like the aroma of sizzling sausages and roasted chestnuts floating in the air on a chilly winter day. The Frankfurt Christmas market is well-known for its foodie attractions, including the stalls in Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz which host an LGBTQIA+ market called Pink Christmas!
But, the Frankfurt markets aren’t just about food and drink – you’ll find artisanal crafts, music and a bunch of fun rides to keep you entertained. Watch as the twinkling lights take over the markets as you sip on some mulled wine. Sehr schön!
Dates: 25th November 2024 until 22nd December 2024
Address: Several areas of Frankfurt’s Old Town including: Romerberg, Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz, and Mainkai
11. Seville, Spain
A lil’ bit of Christmas, a lil’ bit of Mediterranean sunshine – that’s why Seville’s Christmas market is the best of both worlds. Nativity scenes are a big part of holiday history in Spain but Seville specifically is one of the best places to find unique nativities to take home with you. Check out the Feria Del Belén to buy these amazing nativity scenes and Christmas decorations, plus enjoy some amazing food and tapas while you’re there.
Dates: 5th November 2024 until 23rd December 2024
Address: Luis de Morales Avenue
12. Cluj-Napoca, Romania
As the unofficial capital of Transylvania, Cluj-Napoca is one of those cities that you’ve probably never heard of until you have, and then once you see what you’re missing you can’t wait to visit. As the highlight of Romanian Christmas markets, the Cluj-Napoca Christmas Fair has great skating, shopping, eating and concerts to give you the fill of holiday cheer, with a young and artsy vibe that’s a cool twist on the classic.
Dates: 18th November 2024 until 31st December 2024
Address: Unirii Square
13. London, UK
Such a big and buzzing city should mean that the Christmas market scene is pretty epic. Well, no wonder London has some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. With several to choose from, Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is a favourite of many for its sheer size, karaoke, observation wheel and the biggest outdoor ice rink in the UK. Leicester Square is also an adorable highlight in the city, with a traditional vibe that feels straight out of a Christmas holiday movie, and Battersea Power Station has been stunning over the last few years with a charming ice rink.
Dates: 6th November 2024 until 5th January 2025 (depending on the market)
Address: All over the city!
Image source:Contiki
14. Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Netherlands’ capital city Amsterdam knows how to do Christmas right. It’s full of Christmas cheer, and in true Amsterdam style, there’s more than one quirky Amsterdam Christmas market to choose from. Hit up Ice*Village in the Museumkwartier for epic skating, shopping and foodie finds like Dutch donuts called ‘oliebollen’.
Visit Winter Winterparadijs for curling, tubing and rides. Or go to the Amsterdamsche Kerstmarkt for all of the classics. Regardless, Amsterdam delivers on the Christmas goods.
Dates: 15th November 2024 until 5th January 2025
Address: All over the city!
15. Prague, Czech Republic
Too many options isn’t always a good thing, and that’s why Prague Christmas markets are ideal. Prague keeps it quaint and walkable with the two big festivities taking place in both Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Marvel at their beautiful big tree, enjoy endless trdelník cakes and some mulled wine and appreciate Christmas fun.
Prague itself is a massive winter wonderland anyway, so you must make the trip there in the weeks before the festivities at home! Snow, mulled wine, warming dishes, and plenty of local cheer – it doesn’t get better than that.
Dates: 30th November 2024 until 6th January 2025
Address: Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square
Image source:Contiki
16. Aachen, Germany
Maybe it’s the stunning cathedral backdrop, maybe it’s the 6-metre-tall gingerbread men(!), but Christmas markets in Aachen are a surprising favourite for many of the European Christmas markets enthusiasts. Wander around the Aachen Cathedral and town hall area for the best stalls and enjoy the local gingerbread (or ‘aachener printen’) and mulled wine.
Dates: 22nd November 2024 until 23rd December 2024
Address: City centre around the cathedral and town hall
17. Zagreb, Croatia
The Zagreb Christmas markets in Croatia are best known for doing three holiday essentials very well: great ice skating, awesome street food and lots of live Christmas music. Gravitate towards either Jelačić Square or Tomislav Square for the highlights of this beautiful city in the wintertime.
Dates: 30th November 2024 until 7th January 2025
Address: Ban Jelačić Square and Tomislav Square
18. Brussels, Belgium
The Brussels Christmas market goes by the name of the Winter Wonders, and this epic festival pulls out all of the stops. There are more than 200 wooden stalls to wander through and all of the Belgian waffles and beers you could ever want. Check out the ferris wheel and the epic light and sound show projected onto the Grand-Palace. Plus they’ve switched over to reusable cups to try and reduce their litter levels, so you can feel better about every Christmassy sip.
Dates: 29th November 2024 until 5th January 2025
Address: Grand Place
19. Warsaw, Poland
The Christmas markets in Poland are sort of Christmassy underdogs, but you cannot miss them. Take Warsaw – a big city that has mastered the art of the Christmas light spectacle and has decked out their best streets, gardens and squares with stunning light displays for the holidays. Come for the lights and stay for the chocolate, ice rinks and Polish Christmas carols.
Dates: 30th November 2024 until 23rd December 2024
Address: Old Town near the Royal Castle
20. Berlin, Germany
Berlin is big, so it’s no surprise there are a ton of choices when it comes to Christmas markets – over 70 to be exact! You could probably spend a whole week just exploring these to be honest. For that reason alone, Berlin is easily a holder of some of the best Christmas markets in Europe, and it also has many of the top ten Christmas markets in Germany! For a fan favourite, check out picturesque Gendarmenmarkt and its amazing fairy lights.
Dates: 1st November 2024 until 5th January 2025
Address: All over the city!
21. Vienna, Austria
Christmas Dream is beautiful and everything you’d expect from the Vienna Christmas markets. Located in front of the City Hall, it has all of the traditional and exciting elements like reindeer rides, a merry-go-round and nativity scenes, combined with a glowing heart tree and the advent traditions that make the holidays in Austria so unique.
There are countless other markets dotted around Vienna as well, and half the fun is walking from storybook markets to fairytale stalls. It’s just so magical, your jaw will be on the floor.
Dates: 15th November 2024 until 26th December 2024
Address: All over the city!
Image source:Contiki
22. Budapest, Hungary
The ability to combine great Budapest Christmas markets with some quality time warming up in the Szechenyi Baths is SO appealing. But baths or not, Budapest does Christmas the right way. With the combination of Christmas and advent celebrations, the legendary chimney cakes available and great market food in general, Budapest just gets it. Hit up both Vörösmarty Square and Szent István Square for all the highlights.
Dates: 15th November 2024 until 31st December 2024
Address: All over the city!
23. Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg calls itself the ‘Capital of Christmas’, and with the oldest Christmas markets in France and some of the oldest in all of Europe, they can wear that crown pretty proudly. This giant winter wonderland of markets features over 300 stalls and divides Christmas into different themes – ‘Magical’, ‘Alternative’ and ‘Family’.
Visit the Magical Christmas area for ‘bredele’ biscuits and mulled wine, an amazing Christmas Tree with lights and music and an ice skating rink – all found in Place Kléber. The Alternative Christmas area is focused on sustainability, recycling, local, organic and fairtrade items, and has its own alternative tree made of wood and LED tubes.
Lastly, check out the Family Christmas for tree decorating, elf workshops and lots of shows.
Dates: 27th November 2024 until 27th December 2024
Address: All over the city!
24. Tallinn, Estonia
The capital of Estonia may not be on everyone’s radar, but the Tallinn Christmas Market has put Tallinn on the map. Taking place in the Town Hall Square, this is one of the most traditional-feeling markets of all and the star of the show is the historic Christmas tree. With traditions dating back to 1441, this tree display is thought to be the oldest in Europe.
Christmas fanatics will also love the chance to visit Santa in his house (sure!), mingle with some reindeer, buy local crafts and enjoy local Estonian holiday dishes like black pudding, sour cabbage and gingerbread. Bonus – this Christmas market runs into January to accommodate for Orthodox Christmas.
Dates: 22nd November 2024 until 27th December 2024
Address: Town Hall Square
25. Paris, France
Because we really needed another reason to go to Paris… The snow, the lights, the beauty – is there any place better suited for the holidays? Christmas markets in Paris take celebrations to another level.
La Défense is a giant paradise of Christmas joy. The Jardin des Tuileries Market brings the rides and good eats. The Forum des Halles is the perfect place for a Parisian holiday shopping spree. And all the while, you’re in Paris! Could life be any better?
As a matter of fact, spending all of Christmas in Paris is kind of a dream, so if it’s not already on your bucket list you should add it now.
Dates: 16th November 2024 until 1st January 2025
Address: All over the city!
26. Edinburgh, Scotland
It doesn’t get much more Christmassy than Christmas in Scotland. Let’s face it, Edinburgh is cold in the winter, but snow along cobblestone streets is exactly what you want when visiting the best Christmas markets in Europe! The market is located right along the bank and it’s complete with stalls selling delicious foods and beautiful handicrafts, as well as a few colourful rides like a ferris wheel! If you venture further into the city, you can also pop into an adorable Harry Potter themed shop which really encapsulates the festive charm.
Dates: 17th November 2024 until 6th January 2025
Address: Prince Street
27. Salzburg, Austria
Tucked away at the base of the Austrian Alps, Salzburg is classical and romantic, complete with a castle on a hill – I mean, wow! And when the city becomes covered in snow and the locals bust out the fairy lights, the magic is doubled. Tripled even. The Christmas market is sweet and cosy, accompanied by the usual suspects like roasting chestnuts and plenty of hot chocolates, as well as live music and pretty stalls.
Dates: 21st November 2024 until 1st January 2024
Address: Cathedral and Residenz Square
Image source:Contiki
28. Bruges, Belgium
Bruges is one of the most adorable towns in Belgium, surrounded by a moat and filled with cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages. It’s straight out of a fairytale, making it one of the best places to spend some money at Christmas markets in Europe! Colourful houses and buildings are lit up with fairy lights, a grand ice rink is put up, and there are decorated trees all over!
If you want some delicious chocolate and waffles while you stroll from stall to stall, Bruges is 100% the place to be. Make sure you enjoy the regular light shows put on by the Winter Glow festival as well.
Dates: 22nd November 2024 until 5th January 2025
Address: Grote Markt in the city centre
