The climate is cool, the snow is falling, and the gluhwein is bottomless – oh the way it’s powerful to beat Christmas in Europe. In the event you’re visiting Europe through the month of December and have fun Christmas, chances are high you need to try a few of the finest Christmas markets in Europe.
These enchanting markets, adorned with twinkling lights and bustling with festive power, provide a fascinating mix of conventional crafts, fragrant treats, and joyful carols that transport you to a vacation wonderland. From savoring freshly baked gingerbread to discovering distinctive handcrafted ornaments, these Christmas markets actually encapsulate the magic of the vacation season.
From Spain to Austria, let’s dig into just a few of the highest Christmas markets in Europe.
The Finest Christmas Markets In Europe
1. Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland (London, England)
Iconic Hyde Park in London additionally hosts town’s annual Christmas market, aptly named ‘Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland.’
Annually tens of millions of holiday makers are handled to a big portion of the park being adorned with hundreds of glowing lights and distributors establishing their items in a whole bunch of quaint picket chalets.
Distributors provide items, sizzling chocolate, mulled wine, sausages, and lots of different scrumptious Christmas treats. Guests can even get pleasure from an ice skating rink and completely different fairground rides, together with a blizzard-themed rollercoaster. There are additionally common dwell performances to maintain everybody within the festive spirit, with Christmas reveals and concert events.
2. Jul i Vinterland (Oslo, Norway)
Oslo has lengthy been a well-liked winter vacation spot, so it shouldn’t be stunning that town would even have its personal Christmas Market. The Jul I Vinterland (translated: Christmas in Wonderland) Christmas Market is usually arrange across the metropolis corridor sq., Rådhusplassen, proper within the coronary heart of Oslo.
Along with having fun with seasonal delicacies equivalent to roasted chestnuts, gingerbread cookies, gløgg (a Norwegian mulled wine), elk dishes, caramel apples, and currywurst, guests can even discover distinctive Norwegian crafts, clothes, equipment, and items.
Guests can even get pleasure from dwell performances with Christmas concert events, folks dancing, and different cultural actions that simply make the expertise all the higher.
3. Liseberg Christmas Market (Gothenburg, Sweden)
Gothenburg’s Liseberg Amusement Park, essentially the most well-known amusement park in Scandinavia, additionally comes aglow with over one million lights through the yuletide season, with the Liseberg Christmas Market.
All the Market is closely adorned with a whole bunch of Christmas timber, even on boats floating throughout the water of the neighboring harbor. Guests can go to Santa’s workshop or go skating within the ice rink and in addition get pleasure from scrumptious treats like sizzling chocolate, mulled wine, and saffron buns (recognized regionally as ‘lussekatter’).
4. Funchal Christmas Market (Funchal, Portugal)
- Location: 9000-054 Funchal, Portugal (GPS)
- Dates: December 1, 2023- January 7, 2024
Whereas not strictly a winter wonderland, given the subtropical local weather, Funchal nonetheless has the Christmas spirit and the Funchal Christmas Market is a wonderful instance of this. The Market is adorned with lights and uncommon flowers, and each evening Christmas carolers and folklore teams carry out on stage for the guests.
For foods and drinks, guests shall be handled to scrumptious Portuguese delicacies together with wine-marinated grilled meats and the native Madeira punch. Guests can even get pleasure from completely different cultural actions, reenactments, and exhibitions that mirror the area’s wealthy historical past and traditions.
5. Budapest Christmas Markets (Budapest, Hungary)
Budapest has the excellence of internet hosting 4 Christmas Markets and is likely one of the finest locations to go to in Europe within the winter. One at Vörösmarty Sq., which is the oldest Christmas Market within the nation, the second is outdoors of St. Stephen’s Basilica, the third at Városháza Park, and the final within the historic district of Óbuda.
All of those Christmas markets have a whole bunch of stalls nevertheless it’s the St. Stephen’s Basilica Market and Városháza Park Market which have skating rinks, and there are even Hungarian folks dance reveals over the weekend on the St. Stephen’s Basilica market.
There are various seasonal delicacies on provide and even a wonderful mild and sound present that’s projected onto the facade of the Basilica.
6. Helsinki Christmas Market (Helsinki, Finland)
The Helsinki Christmas Market, recognized regionally as Helsingin Joulumarkkinat, is the annual Christmas market held within the coronary heart of Finland’s capital, Helsinki’s Senate Sq..
The Market welcomes greater than 300,000 guests annually, the place they’re handled to greater than 120 chalets that includes scrumptious meals, crafts, arts, ornaments, and lots of types of leisure for all ages.
A spotlight of the Helsinki Christmas Market is that it doesn’t solely concentrate on the normal. One instance is with the meals; whereas there are conventional sausages and mulled wine, there are additionally many vegan choices for many who don’t need to partake in animal merchandise.
7. Bratislava Christmas Market (Bratislava, Slovakia)
Bratislava is one other metropolis that’s devoted to yuletide celebrations, with quite a few squares across the metropolis being reworked right into a Christmas wonderland illuminated by fairy lights. Bratislava additionally holds a tree lighting ceremony which marks the official begin of the Christmas season and the market.
Whereas having to discover a number of market areas throughout town may sound like lots of work, it’s made simpler by Bratislava’s official Christmas tram, which travels between all of the completely different squares.
Native Christmas treats that guests can get pleasure from embrace “lokše” (potato pancakes), roasted sausages, and honey cookies.
8. Prague Christmas Markets (Prague, Czech Republic)
Prague is one other metropolis that hosts two Christmas markets, one in Previous City and the opposite in Wenceslas Sq.. Once more, each markets are inside strolling distance of one another and each are value visiting.
Lights adorn each Previous City and Wenceslas Sq., and guests will discover cute stalls nestled in between buildings with Gothic and Renaissance structure, making for a really visually aesthetic expertise. Native treats like trdelník, (a cylindrical spit cake rolled in cinnamon sugar), and citrusy mulled wine may be loved whereas watching themed performances.
9. Edinburgh’s Christmas (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Edinburgh is a magical European metropolis and through the winter season much more so particularly due to ‘Edinburgh’s Christmas’, the annual Christmas market. Guests are handled to an exquisite expertise as East Princes Avenue Gardens, St. Andrew’s Sq., and different components of town heart are reworked right into a winter wonderland.
Whereas every market has stalls for items and meals, there’s additionally loads of leisure. The market in East Princes Avenue Gardens is kind of well-liked because of the Ferris wheel that offers majestic views of Edinburgh Fort and the magical metropolis itself. If you wish to ice skate, head to the St. Andrew’s Sq. market.
10. Poznań Christmas Market (Poznan, Poland)
Poznań is likely one of the oldest cities in Europe and has had traditionally robust yuletide traditions and celebrations, welcoming and entertaining friends from throughout for hundreds of years. The Poznań Christmas Market retains that custom and spirit alive, because the Previous Market Sq. transforms right into a winter wonderland.
The Poznań Christmas Market additionally occurs across the similar time because the annual Worldwide Ice Sculpture Competition, making for a really distinctive winter expertise.
Distributors occupying a whole bunch of stalls promote all method of products together with winter delicacies, handmade trinkets, and handcrafted toys and decorations. The spotlight is the meals although with scrumptious smoked cheeses, goulash, and pierogies.
11. Bathtub Christmas Market (Bathtub, United Kingdom)
The historic metropolis of Bathtub additionally has an annual Christmas market and it’s a sight to behold. The already attractive cobblestone streets are made much more lovely with picket chalets and golden lights lining the streets surrounding Bathtub Abbey and the Roman Baths.
What stands out in regards to the market shouldn’t be the scrumptious meals or the handcrafted housewares and items, however the assist that’s given to native charities. The group behind the market offers charities chalets out there freed from cost, permitting them to unfold consciousness about their causes.
Whereas studying in regards to the nice work these charities do, you’ll want to cease at The Lodge on Stall Avenue if you wish to get pleasure from some wonderful mulled cider.
12. Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market (Copenhagen, Denmark)
One of many oldest and most famous amusement parks on the earth, Tivoli Gardens transforms right into a magical winter wonderland through the vacation season for the ‘Jul I Tivoli’, the annual Tivoli Christmas Market. Decorations, lights, Christmas timber, and conventional bands enjoying festive songs fill Tivoli Gardens to unfold yuletide cheer and spirit.
With a large plethora of charming stalls promoting a wide selection of Christmas items, crafts, decorations, and festive items, guests can even get pleasure from some conventional Danish and Scandinavian delicacies, like “æbleskiver” (Danish Christmas donuts), roasted almonds, sizzling chocolate, mulled wine, and different tasty treats.
13. Cologne Christmas Market (Cologne, Germany)
It’s a well-known German truth that the nation does Christmas nicely, and this basic German metropolis is to not be outdone in the case of the yuletide spirit. Whereas picket stalls begin popping up in several areas of town on the finish of November, it’s the Christmas Market on the Cathedral that stands out every time.
The Gothic structure backdrop, hundreds of fairy lights, and red-topped gables all present a really magical ambiance, with stalls promoting all varieties of meals and items. The Metropolis has made efforts to be very inclusive in its celebrations. One instance is “Christmas Avenue,” an LGBTQ+ market that options dwell performances.
14. Vilnius Christmas Market (Vilnius, Lithuania)
The Lithuanian capital’s annual Christmas market is a masterclass in design and one of many finest issues to do in Vilnius across the holidays. Receiving acclaim yearly for its magnificence, the Vilnius Christmas Market’s dazzling Christmas tree and fairy mild shows are an expertise one shouldn’t take frivolously.
Lovely chalets and igloos are unfold throughout your complete Market, promoting many scrumptious treats like honey desserts, gingerbread, and an assortment of comforting teas.
15. Basel Weihnachtsmarkt (Basel, Switzerland)
Basel celebrates Christmas in fashion, with its annual Christmas Market kicking off with a lighting ceremony of a towering Christmas tree on the heart of Münsterplatz, one of many city squares. The annual Christmas market, generally known as the Basel Weihnachtsmarkt, takes place in Münsterplatz and Barfüsserplatz with hundreds of twinkling lights and rustic picket chalets.
One of many most important sights is a fairytale forest the place youngsters can discover and even adorn their very own gingerbread homes. Guests can even be handled to many scrumptious Swiss treats like raclette, fondue, sausages, and Swiss chocolate, in addition to Glühwein, a Swiss sizzling mulled wine.
16. Weihnachtsmarkt Santa Croce (Florence, Italy)
- Location: Piazza di Santa Croce, 32R, 50122 Firenze, Florence (GPS)
Florence is one other metropolis that’s already famend for its architectural magnificence, however through the winter it’s made much more lovely with the Weihnachtsmarkt Santa Croce. Regardless that we’re speaking of Italy, this Christmas market takes on a festive German-style theme and is ready up within the piazza outdoors the Basilica di Santa Croce.
Probably the most well-known delicacy of this market is the chimney cake coated in cinnamon and chocolate. The market has a historical past of just about 500 years and there are over 50 stalls with artisans promoting their items.
17. Strasbourg Christmas Market (Strasbourg, France)
The sweetness and romance of Paris however, in the case of Christmas, Strasbourg is the yuletide capital of France. The town squares and its slender alleyways are closely adorned with fairy lights and greater than 300 picket chalets are arrange for distributors to promote their meals and items.
At Strasbourg’s heart is a magnificently dressed tree that simply provides to town’s Christmas cheer. Within the Christmas spirit, guests can even go to the Sharing Village, a spot that permits individuals to donate to native charities. Remember to go to the stalls for the hand-blown glass ornaments and to strive the native Alsatian wine.
18. Sibiu Christmas Market (Sibiu, Romania)
The Sibiu Christmas Market held within the historic Transylvanian metropolis of Sibiu is one in all Europe’s extra visually aesthetic markets. The Market is colorfully adorned and is ready at Piata Mare, surrounded by lovely cobblestone streets and medieval Baroque structure.
The ice rink gives lots of enjoyment, and with the Baroque backdrop, the prospect to get some Insta-worthy footage. Distributors promote completely different items, items, crafts, picket toys, ornaments, leather-based items, and delectable Romanian treats like “mămăligă” (polenta), “ciorbă” (soup), and “sarmale” (stuffed cabbage rolls).
19. Frankfurt Christmas Market (Birmingham, England)
One other instance of a German-themed Christmas market in a foreign country, the Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham, England, makes for a enjoyable expertise. With over 120 stalls promoting winter wines and beers, pretzels, schnitzels, sausages, delicate crystal lamps, jewellery, crafts, and lots of different varieties of items.
Whereas the meals and items are wonderful, a unusual and considerably distinctive attraction that the children will get pleasure from is Chris the singing moose on the nook of Waterloo Avenue.
20. Kraków Christmas Market (Kraków, Poland)
Krakow is likely one of the most cost-effective locations to go to Europe, and through Christmas, Kraków’s historic Previous City, with its storied medieval streets, the magnificent St. Mary’s Basilica, and the enduring Material Corridor, kind the backdrop for one in all Europe’s most magical Christmas markets.
Guests can get pleasure from native treats like pierogi (Polish dumplings), grilled sausages, “oscypek” (smoked cheese), gingerbread cookies, and different pleasant sweets and desserts. There are many different stalls as nicely, promoting a wide selection of products like hand-crafted Bolesławiec pottery, sweet-boiled candies, contemporary pine wreaths, handcrafted ornaments, textiles, and toys.
Remember to attend the Kraków Christmas Crib Contest, a contest the place contributors make adorned re-creations of nativity cribs, which might be then paraded across the sq. for judging.
21. Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt (Nuremberg, Germany)
The Nuremberg Christmas Market is likely one of the oldest in Europe and your complete world. It has a novel characteristic within the red-and-white-striped material roofs of the 180 picket stalls which might be unfold throughout your complete Market.
It’s significantly famend for its gingerbread cookies, generally known as “Nürnberger Lebkuchen”, however there are different treats together with Nuremberg sausages, roasted almonds, mulled wine (Glühwein), and different seasonal specialties.
One other distinctive characteristic of the Market is the prune individuals, collectible figurines constituted of dried prunes which have made an look yearly on the Marketplace for a long time. These collectible figurines are thought of good luck charms.
22. Tallinn Christmas Market (Tallinn, Estonia)
The Tallinn Christmas Market has a historical past courting again to the 1400s and appears nothing in need of a Christmas film set. A blanket of snow covers the cobblestone streets, lights deliver all the things aglow, and the scent of gingerbread floats via the air.
The Tallinn Christmas Market holds the consideration of displaying the first-ever Christmas tree in Europe, in 1441. Tallinn can be one of many few Christmas markets the place an precise Santa reveals up in a reindeer-pulled sleigh, which might make the expertise unforgettable for youngsters.
23. Vienna Christmas Dream Market (Vienna, Austria)
Vienna is likely one of the finest locations to journey in December as town hosts a formidable 20 Christmas markets, however its crown jewel is the Vienna Christmas Dream Market in entrance of Metropolis Corridor. The sq. has a towering and sumptuous Christmas tree, with quite a few Christmas lights and ornaments.
This market options over 150 charming picket stalls promoting all kinds of items, crafts, decorations, and festive items. From handmade ornaments and equipment to conventional Austrian merchandise and souvenirs, guests can discover all the things. Guests can get pleasure from many Austrian treats like Wiener Schnitzel, roasted chestnuts, gingerbread cookies, and Glühwein.
There are additionally dwell performances, music concert events, carol singing, and different leisure that guests can get pleasure from.
24. Plaza Mayor Christmas Market (Madrid, Spain)
Spain isn’t any much less a contender in the case of Christmas markets, and the Plaza Mayor Christmas Market, recognized regionally as Mercado Navideño de la Plaza Mayor, within the nation’s capital has acquired acclaim quite a few occasions prior to now.
The market’s distinctive decorations embrace hand-painted and adorned nativity collectible figurines, brilliant Christmas lights, and ornaments. Distributors provide scrumptious Spanish delicacies and treats like churros with chocolate, roasted chestnuts, marzipan sweets, and different pleasant Spanish vacation delicacies.
The market additionally hosts a big notable nativity scene show, generally known as “Belen” in Spanish.
25. Winter Wonders (Brussels, Belgium)
In the case of dimension and energy, Winter Wonders in Brussels deserves a point out on this record of finest Christmas markets in Europe. First, there are the 240 chalets the place distributors provide handmade trinkets, items, ornaments, crafts, festive items, clothes, and different artisanal merchandise.
Then there’s an ice skating rink, a Ferris wheel, carousels, and a Christmas parade full with holiday-themed floats and characters. Lastly, the central sq. is the positioning of a spectacular sound and lightweight present, projected on the facades of the historic buildings.
Christmas Markets in Europe FAQ
What’s Europe’s greatest Christmas market?
Dominating the festive scene, the famend Vienna Christmas World on Rathausplatz stands as not solely essentially the most expansive Christmas market but in addition one of the crucial globally acknowledged. Located in proximity to the historic metropolis corridor, the Rathaus, it captures the essence of the vacation spirit in Vienna.
What European international locations do Christmas markets?
Quite a few European international locations host Christmas markets as a convention through the vacation season. Among the most well-known international locations with notable Christmas markets embrace Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, the UK, Czech Republic, Belgium, Hungary, Sweden, and Denmark, amongst others
Which European nation has essentially the most Christmas markets?
Virtually each German city and metropolis holds its particular person Christmas market, incomes Germany the excellence of getting the very best variety of markets all through everything of Europe.
