Every Christmas, travellers from all over the world descend on Europe’s biggest towns and cities for their Christmas markets. These tinsel-clad, cosy markets are awash with the sights and smells of the season, from mulled wine and hearty street food to homemade trinkets and more.

There are Christmas markets in most major European cities, and this is our pick of the best.

The Christmas Market in Prague, in the Old Town Square. Perfect!

Prague, Czechia

🗓️ Dates: November 30 to January 6 📍 Location: Old Town Square

Highlights

The mediaeval city of Prague is one of the best places to spend the season. There are markets across the city, including Wenceslas Square, but the Christmas market in the Old Town Square, complete with a massive Chrstmas tree, is the biggest and best.

Krakow, Poland

🗓️ Dates: November 25 to December 26 📍 Location: Main Square

Highlights

Located in the huge Main Square, a mediaeval marvel surrounded by amazing architecture and strewn with lights, the Krakow Christmas market attracts visitors from all over. What's more, it’s not uncommon for Krakow to snow over Christmas, making for the perfect festive setting.

Bruges, Belgium

🗓️ Dates: November 24 to January 2 📍 Location: Grote Markt

Highlight

Despite the hordes of tourists that descend on Bruges every year, it still maintains a quaint, peaceful, and enchanting vibe. It feels like there are chocolate shops every few feet in this city, so it’s no surprise that the sweet stuff is one of the stars of the show at the Bruges Christmas market.

Vienna, Austria

🗓️ Dates: November 11 to December 26 📍 Location: City Hall Square

Highlights

Located in front of Vienna City Hall, this is one of the biggest and most impressive Christmas markets in Europe. It’s a majestic location made even more impressive by the hundreds of stalls (selling food, drink, homemade gifts, toys, and more) and thousands of twinkling lights.

Cologne, Germany

🗓️ Dates: November 25 to December 23 📍 Location: Cologne Cathedral

Highlights

There are multiple Christmas-themed markets in Cologne around this time of year, with one of the best being at the Cathedral, which showcases festive gifts, food, and more.

Gothenburg, Sweden

🗓️ Dates: November 16 to December 31 📍 Location: Liseberg

Highlights

One of the hottest spectacles in Gothenburg over the Christmas period is in Lisburg, a massive amusement park. It’s a large and classy affair, and while you need to pay to enter, it’s worth every penny.

Salzburg, Austria

🗓️ Dates: November 23 to January 1 📍 Location: Residenzplatz

Highlights

Although it is always a magical winter destination, Salzburg really comes into its own during Christmas, with those snow-capped mountains and roofs providing the perfect backdrop for wooden stalls strung with warm orange lights.

Tallinn, Estonia

🗓️ Dates: November 24 to January 7 📍 Location: Town Hall Square

Highlights

The Estonian capital goes all out with its Christmas markets. The schedule in the run-up to Christmas is packed with traditional dancing, parties, festivals, and musical performances.

Copenhagen, Denmark

🗓️ Dates: November 17 to December 31 📍 Location: Tivoli Gardens

Highlights

Tivoli Gardens is a magical place any time of the year, but it really comes alive at Christmas. It’s a fairy tale in the land of Hans Christian Andersen, and you can drink your fill of mulled wine as you explore the festive stalls and lights.

Winchester, UK

🗓️ Dates: November 17 to December 22 📍 Location: Cathedral Inner Close

Highlights

Featuring wooden stalls and artisanal goods, this is a British Christmas celebration with all the charm of an Austrian or German market.

Brussels, Belgium

🗓️ Dates: November 29 to January 5 📍 Location: Winter Wonders

Highlights

Winter Wonders is a massive Christmas event that spans a wide area and includes over 200 chalets, as well as an ice rink, lights, music, food, and more. It's a family-friendly destination, and there’s something new and exciting around every corner.

Strasbourg, France

🗓️ Dates: November 27 to December 27 📍 Location: Chrìstkìndelsmärik

Highlights

This popular Christmas market dates back to the 16th century. It’s a cosy little market influenced by a mixture of French and German cultures, with food and drink inspired by both of them.

Lille, France

🗓️ Dates: November 23 to December 30 📍 Location: Place Rihour

Highlights

Although it’s much smaller than the other Christmas markets on this list (it has fewer than 100 stalls), the Lille Christmas market is quaint and beautiful, with a large Christmas tree and lots of freshly baked treats and mulled wine.

London, UK

🗓️ Dates: November 21 to January 5 📍 Location: Hyde Park

Highlights

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is one of the highlights of the festive season. This family-friendly destination is decked with scores of stalls selling everything from homemade candles and ornaments to decadent cups of cocoa. There are also plenty of rides to keep the kids busy while providing a change of pace from the usual Christmas shopping.

Budapest, Hungary

🗓️ Dates: November 17 to January 1 📍 Location: Vörösmarty Square

Highlights

A fairground, great food, decorated stalls, and strings of warming Christmas lights—welcome to Budapest at Christmas!

Madrid, Spain

🗓️ Dates: November 24 to December 31 📍 Location: Plaza Madrid Christmas Market

Highlights

A great place to pick up some handcrafted ornaments for your tree. These include traditional Belén statues, which depict Chrisan figures. This Madrid Christmas market also features dance troupes and choirs.

Milan, Italy

🗓️ Dates: December 1 to January 6 📍 Location: Mercatini di Natale

Highlights

Sitting in the shadow of the Duomo cathedral, this Milan Christmas market is full of Italian treats and festive goodies, as well as seasonal souvenirs.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

🗓️ Dates: December 19 to January 5 📍 Location: Winter Paraiskek

Highlights

The aptly named Winter Paradise has a little bit of everything, from the usual selection of season fare and gifts to snowball fights, curling matches, rides, and more. It’s a massive celebration in the heart of Amsterdam.

Other Christmas Markets

The above are just a few of the many Christmas markets staged in European cities during any given year. If you still need some inspiration, check out the following:

• Edinburgh (East Princes Street Gardens) — Nov 19 to Jan 5
• Gdańsk (Targ Węglowy) — Dec 1 to Dec 23
• Geneva (Quai du Mont-Blanc) — Nov 23 to Dec 24
• Berlin (Gendarmenmarkt) — Nov 25 to Dec 31
• Basel (Barfusserplatz and Munsterplatz) — Nov 28 to Dec 24
• Metz (Sentiers des Lanternes) — Nov 18 to Dec 30
• Zagreb (Ban Jelacic Square) — Nov 30 to Jan 7
• Paris (Grande Arche de la Défense) — Nov 14 to Dec 29
  

FAQ

When are the dates of European Christmas markets?

It varies, but most begin in late November and end in early January.

What is the best Christmas market in Europe?

Budapest, Tallinn, Prague, Cologne, and Vienna all deserve a mention, but there are too many to choose from!

Do you pay to enter Christmas markets?

It depends. Most European Christmas markets have free admission, but there are some exceptions.

Are European Christmas markets worth visiting?

Definitely, as there is something for everyone here, and if you love Christmas, it’s a must-see!