It’s that time of year when Europe comes alive with festive cheer and lays on some seriously spectacular Christmas markets. We’re talking about those magical spots where you can sip mulled wine, glide on a dreamy ice rink and soak up the harmonious tunes of carollers, all while being transported to a winter wonderland. So here’s our list of the best Christmas markets in Europe.
Visit the Best Christmas Markets in Europe
We’re going to take you on a tour of some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. From 400-year-old French markets to the home of the world’s first Christmas tree, each one has its own special vibe.
Budapest Christmas Fair and Winter Festival, Hungary
Budapest’s most well-known market is held at Vörösmarty Square and has everything you need for a good ‘ol Christmassy time, from fun entertainment and activities to a huge range of great gifts to buy. You’ll find plenty of delicious spiced mulled wine and beer, a wide range of delicious food, including traditional Hungarian dishes, crispy Kürtőskalács (chimney cakes) and a packed schedule of stage performances.
Now I will say, the food here is SPENNY. We’re talking the equivalent of £14-£20 for a pulled pork sandwich or BBQ plate, although traditional flatbreads (lángos) start at around £5. My personal tip would be to eat somewhere else, and come for the drinks, which are well-priced and delicious.
Budapest also has a few other festive fairs: swing by St. Stephen’s Basilica market for some ice skating fun, then if you’re visiting on a weekend stop by Obuda’s Christmas market too. They’ve got some entertaining concerts and puppet shows happening on the main stage that make it totally worth a visit.
Opening dates
15th November – 31st December 2024
Times (for 24 Dec – 31 Dec times can vary)
Monday – Thursday: 11am–9pm
Friday – Saturday: 11am–10pm
Sunday: 11am–9pm
Check out my review of Budapest Christmas Market below!
Suggested Hotels
Gdańsk Christmas Market, Poland
The Gdańsk Christmas Market has got you covered with 155 stalls loaded with festive gifts, decorations and yummy treats. You can munch on local snacks like dumplings and sweet Kürtőskalács cakes, and sip on some warm mulled drinks. And don’t miss out on the virtual sleigh ride on Santa’s magic sleigh simulator – it’s a blast! Plus, there’s a bunch of performances, theatre shows and live music to keep you entertained.
Opening dates
Friday 22 November – Monday 23 December 2024
Times
Sunday – Thursday: 12pm–8pm
Friday – Saturday: 12pm–9pm
Suggested Hotels
Heinzels Wintermärchen, Cologne, Germany
Picture-perfect Cologne is a dreamy destination if you’re on the hunt for some German festive cheer, and in fact it was my favourite Christmas market of the seven I visited last year!
I loved Heinzels Wintermärchen Christmas Market in Cologne’s old town, spread over the Alter Markt and Heumarkt squares. This is a traditional market, centred around the folk legend of household spirits, the Heinzelmännchen. As well as stalls selling incredible hand-made gifts, there are food stands, live music, artist performances and an ice rink too.
The main market is Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market, where you’ll find stalls laden with handmade treasures, foodie delights and Christmassy drinks. Of course there’s also a giant Christmas tree at the centre of the action, and a stage with lots of performances.
Opening dates
Monday 18 November – Monday 23 December 2024
Times
Sunday – Wednesday: 11am–9pm
Thursday – Friday: 11am–10pm
Saturday: 10am–10pm
Check out my review of Cologne Christmas Markets below!
Suggested Hotels
Christkindelsmärik, Strasbourg, France
The Strasbourg Christmas Market is right in the heart of the city at Place Broglie, and it’s a legendary spot. It’s been around for over 400 years, making it France’s oldest Christmas market. You’ve got 300 chalets filled with all sorts of goodies from hundreds of merchants and craftsmen. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the massive thirty-metre-tall Christmas tree in Place Kléber – it’s one of the tallest in Europe!
Opening dates
Wednesday 27 November – Friday 27 December 2024
Times (these might vary)
Monday to Sunday: 11:30am–9pm
Check out my review of Strasbourg Christmas Markets below!
Salzburg Christkindlmarkt, Austria
Located in the heart of Salzburg’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old City, this Christmas Market is a real family-friendly affair and one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. You can join in on a choir singalong every Tuesday, enjoy children’s readings on Wednesdays and explore more than 100 stalls offering charming Christmas crafts and delicious Austrian festive snacks. It’s a great place to soak up the holiday spirit!
Opening dates
Thursday 21 November 2024 – Wednesday 1 January 2025
Times
Monday – Thursday: 10am–8:30pm
Friday: 10am–9pm
Saturday: 9am–9 pm
Sunday and public holidays: 9am–8:30pm
Special opening times
24 December: 9am–3pm
25 and 26 December: 11am–6pm
27 – 30 December: 10am–8:30pm
31 December: 10am–1am
1 January: 10am–6pm
Suggested Hotels
Zagreb Christmas Market, Croatia
Croatia’s capital is becoming increasingly popular as a minibreak destination, and at Christmas time Zagreb is absolutely BRIMMING with markets. You’ve got the main event at Ban Jelačić Square, with live music, a towering Christmas tree and stalls selling all sorts of delicious snacks including tasty mulled wine (kuhano vino) and steaming hot pastries (štrukli).
Other hotspots include European Square, offering up tasty treats and artisanal souvenirs, Fuliranje on Strossmayer Square, where chefs from Zagreb’s top restaurants rustle up global street food favourites, Zrinjevac Park, which becomes draped in twinkly lights, and King Tomislav Square, which has a huge icerink.
Opening dates
Saturday 30 November: Warm Up Event
Monday 2 December 2024 – Tuesday 7 January 2025
Times
Yet to be announced, visit Advent Zagreb for updates.
Suggested Hotels
Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz Christmas Market, Vienna, Austria
There are more than 20 official Christmas markets in the Austrian capital, so you’d be hard pushed to get through them all! For me, Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz is the true star, and holds the title of the world’s largest Christmas market!
This one has the wow factor, thanks to the epic backdrop of City Hall. Snack on pork belly sandwiches, lángos, waffles and chimney cakes, and slurp a mulled wine or two. For the little ones, there’s a kids zone, carousel and Ferris wheel; big kids can don their skates and race around the ice skating track.
For even more Christmas spirit, check out Schönbrunn Christmas Market and the Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace, both in utterly stunning settings beside gorgeous palaces.
Opening dates
Friday 15 November – Thursday 26 December 2024
Times
Monday – Sunday: 10am–10pm
Special opening times
24 December: 10am–6.30pm
Suggested Hotels
Lille Christmas Market, France
For a dose of European magic close to home, hop across the Channel to the Lille Christmas Market. It’s not huge, but easily accessible from the UK via Eurostar from St Pancras or the ferry from Dover, so a great option if you prefer not to fly.
Gorge on delicious treats at the Village de Noël (Christmas village) on Place Rihour, where you’ll find all the usual suspects – lip-smack-worthy waffles, oozy melted cheese and mulled wine (vin chaud). Plus plenty of stalls selling gifts made from natural materials like wood and leather. Over on Grand Place, you can ride the Ferris wheel and visit Santa’s grotto.
Opening dates
Monday 25 November – Monday 30 December 2024
Times
Sunday – Thursday: 12pm–10pm
Friday – Saturday: 11am–10pm
Special opening times (times can vary)
24 and 29 December: 12-6pm
25 December: Closed
Suggested Hotels
Berlin WeihnachtsZauber at Gendarmenmarkt, Germany
Berlin is home to so many festive markets that there is something for absolutely everyone. WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt (which is actually in Bebelplatz at the moment due to construction work) is super impressive. Shop for incredible handmade treasures inside heated tents (dreamy), watch famous performers and sample flavourful local dishes.
Head to Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market which stands against the magical backdrop of a splendid palace. There’s a funfair for both kids and adults, as well as stalls selling festive snacks. For rides and activities, head to City Hall Market where there’s a Ferris Wheel, carousels, a mini train and an icerink.
Opening dates
Monday 25 November – Monday 30 December 2024
Times
Monday – Friday: 12pm–10pm
Saturday – Sunday: 11am–10pm
Special opening times
24 December: Closed
25 and 26 December: 11am–9pm
31 December: 12pm–8pm
Check out my review of Berlin Christmas Markets below!
Suggested Hotels
Prague Wenceslas Square Christmas Market, Czechia
Prague and Christmas go hand in hand, and it’s no wonder the city has several Christmas markets scattered across it. Wenceslas Square Christmas Market is just a five-minute stroll from the Old Town Square (which has its own market too), right on lively Václavské náměstí boulevard.
The area is a hit with both locals and tourists, and the streets are full of shops, cafes and galleries, making it the perfect setting for one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. The market itself is packed with handmade products and delicious regional snacks.
Opening dates
Friday 30 November 2024 – Monday 6 January 2025
Times
Monday – Sunday: 10am–10pm
Suggested Hotels
Christmas at Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark
Tivoli Gardens is a long-standing gem in Copenhagen, a national treasure that’s been enchanting visitors since the 1800s. But when the festive season rolls around, it turns into a magical Christmas wonderland. You’ll find a fantastic market, a dazzling Christmas Day fireworks display and a show inspired by the Northern Lights.
Now there are entry fees for the Tivoli market as it is part of the Tivoli Gardens attraction. The exact prices depend on what day you’re visiting and what things you want to do there, but prices start at 180 DKK (£20.10) for adults and 90 DKK (£10.05) for kids aged three to seven; children under three get in for free.
Opening dates
Friday 15 November 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025
Times
Sunday – Thursday: 11am–10pm
Friday – Saturday: 11am–11pm
Special opening times
24 December 2024: Closed
Suggested Hotels
Tallinn Christmas Market, Estonia
Tallinn’s Christmas Market takes place in the town centre and is packed with all kinds of festive fun and cultural programs. You can groove to live music, enjoy some singing and even catch some dance performances. Plus, there’s a merry-go-round and plenty of activities for the little ones. Don’t forget to check out the most important tree in the country, which happens to be the first Christmas tree ever displayed in Europe – it’s a must-visit!
Opening dates
Friday 22 November – Friday 27 December 2024
Times:
Monday – Sunday: 10am–9pm
Special opening times:
Wednesday 27 November: 4–9pm
24 December: 10am–2pm
Suggested Hotels
Dresdner Striezelmarkt, Germany
The Dresdner Striezelmarkt, widely considered to be the world’s first Christmas market, boasts an impressive 200+ stalls. This year marks its 589th edition, and it’s bringing the fun with a Ferris wheel giving visitors incredible market views, a gingerbread festival and tons of Christmas treats, from classic German sweets to pastries.
Opening dates
Wednesday 27 November 2024 – Tuesday 24 December 2024
Times
Daily: 10am–9pm
Special opening times
27 November 2024: 4pm–9pm
24 December 2024: 10am–2pm
Suggested Hotels
Bruges Christmas Market, Belgium
Bruges Christmas celebrations go by the name ‘Winter Glow‘ and they’ve got two Christmas markets, with the main one happening in Grote Markt; there’s even an ice rink too. It might not have all the fancy fairground rides you’ll find in the bigger market in Brussels, but if you’re into a more local, artisanal set-up, then Bruges Christmas Market is your spot.
Opening dates
Friday 22 November 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025
Times
Sunday – Thursday: 10am–10pm
Friday – Saturday: 10:30am–11pm
Special opening times
24 & 31 December: 10–5pm
25 December & 1 January: limited offerings and limited opening hours
Suggested Hotels
York Christmas Market, United Kingdom
The York Christmas Market might not be as famous as some in the UK, but it’s fantastic. Running from mid-November until just before Christmas, this charming market features 75 alpine chalets lining York’s Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, all stocked with delightful goods from local traders. There’s a ton of festive fun to be had here, including carol singing and indulging in all kinds of delicious treats.
Opening dates
Thursday 14 November 2024 – Sunday 22 December 2024
Times
Monday – Sunday: 10am–7pm
Suggested Hotels
Map of the Best Christmas Markets in Europe 2024
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Explore the Best Christmas Markets in Europe
Now you’re all geared up to dive into some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. These markets are not just places to shop and eat; they’re where centuries-old traditions are shared and continued. So, whether you’re plotting a winter escape or just need a healthy dose of holiday spirit, these European gems are all set to give you a warm and festive welcome.
