MAGICAL CHRISTMAS MARKETS: A GUIDE TO EUROPE'S BEST FESTIVE SEASONS

There’s something enchanting about seeing historic European cities burst into colour at Christmas, seeing medieval and baroque squares glittering with lights and usually with a dusting of snow. Europe is known for its enchanting Christmas markets, which offer a festive atmosphere, unique gifts, delicious food, and a chance to experience holiday traditions. 

Here are some of the best Christmas markets in Europe:

1. Strasbourg, France: Known as the "Capital of Christmas," Strasbourg's market is one of the oldest in Europe. It features hundreds of stalls, stunning decorations, and the city's iconic Christmas tree. The Great Christmas Tree in Strasbourg, stands on Place Kléber, the square where historically many tree sellers would gather. Majestic, glittering, its 30 metres make it one of the tallest decorated natural Christmas trees in Europe! Seek out the Market for sausages and almondy, fruity, brioche-like kugelhopf.

   Dates November 24 to December 24, 2023

   Best for storybook scenery and sweets
   
   

2. Nuremberg, Germany: The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is famous for its gingerbread cookies, Nuremberg sausages, and handmade ornaments. It's a quintessential German Christmas experience. It’s impossible not to feel a childlike excitement at the bright Christmas tree decorations, tinsel angels, wooden nutcrackers, and coloured stars. Foodies won’t be disappointed either with the aromas of grilled sausages, crackling pork and mulled wine pervading the market.

   Dates November 29 to December 24, 2023

   Best for eco-warrior

3. Copenhagen, Denmark: The Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market is a fairy tale-like destination with lights, rides, and numerous market stalls offering holiday delights. Add to this the toasty aroma of caramelised almonds and the fragrant scent of cinnamon-infused mulled wine (locally known as glogg) and you’ll find yourself in the midst of Christmas market joy.

   Dates November 17 to December 31, 2023 

   Best for ferris wheel rides and Christmas hygge
   
   

4. Tallinn, Estonia: Considered one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, Tallinn’s festive offering is a striking affair, set in the heart of its beautiful, medieval town, where rooftops and cobblestones are dusted with snow.

   Dates December 1, 2023 to January 7, 2024

   Best for musical groups and dance troupes

5. Prague, Czech Republic: The Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square are beautifully adorned with Christmas lights and decorations, but it’s the food that will keep you hanging around: warm, fatty sausages just off the grill; fresh pancakes; garlic-and-cheese flatbread; all topped off with a glug of svarak, the local, citrussy take on mulled wine. Its cinnamon scent is misted over the whole square. If you’ve got little ones, shepherd them over to Old Town Square where you’ll find sheep, goats and a donkey waiting patiently for attention from earnest tourists.

   Dates December 3, 2023 to January 6, 2024

   Best for open-air concerts and traditional nativity scenes
   
   

7. Brussels, Belgium: Winter Wonders in Brussels is spread out across Grand-Place, Bourse, Place Sainte-Catherine and Marché aux Poissons, with ice skating rinks, ethereal music and light shows, a massive Christmas tree, and a mile-long stretch of more than 200 snow-blanketed wooden chalets, serving toasty waffles, warming mulled wine and, of course, Belgian beers and chocolates.

   Dates November 24 to December 31, 2023

   Best for a gourmet Christmas

8. Budapest, Hungary: The Budapest Christmas Fair and Winter Festival at Vörösmarty Square offers a range of unique gifts, tucked right into the heart of the city and is Budapest’s oldest Christmas market. Here, you’ll find plenty of food stalls, handicraft shops and free concerts. Basilica has all of the above, but with the slight edge: Christmas laser projections on the Basilica itself and an ice-skating rink that circles around a grand Christmas tree.

   Dates November 18, 2023 to January 1, 2024 
   Best for ice rinks and Christmas illuminations

9. Edinburgh, Scotland: Undeniably one of the prettiest cities on the planet, Edinburgh really shines in the winter months as Christmas markets and Hogmanay celebrations come together. You’ll find Santa’s Grotto; an oval ice rink; fairground rides, such as the 60m-high Star Flyer; an elves’ workshop hidden within the Christmas Tree Maze; stalls selling wooden toys, Harry Potter-themed gifts, and mulled Irn Bru; special projections, performances, and artworks showcasing local talent. Bar crawl under the fairy lights of George Street and pop into the Scottish National Gallery to contemplate winter scenes. After dark, head to the Royal Botanic Garden to sip spiced cider and marvel at its Christmas illuminations. 

   Dates November 17, 2023 to January 6, 2024

   Best for a cultural Christmas

   
   

10. Krakow, Poland: The Krakow Christmas Market in the Main Square is a bustling and picturesque market with a nativity scene and festive decorations. Poland’s picture-perfect old capital Krakow has plenty more in store. You can get your skates on in a snowy square, fill up on mulled wine and gingerbread, and experience sublime moments in serene galleries and candlelit churches. Start in misty Rynek Glowny, the largest medieval town square in Europe, inhaling aromas of sizzling kielbasa (sausage) from the Christmas stalls. At brightly lit stands, you’ll find wooden Christmas decorations and elaborate little cribs for perfect gifts.

    Dates November 24 to December 26, 2023
    Best for quirky touches

11. Seville, Spain: Seville's Christmas Market is known for its beautiful nativity scenes and festive decorations, which are displayed in numerous stalls throughout the city. It provides an artistic, cultural and entertaining experience to get visitors in the festive spirit. Expect decorated wooden stalls, street exhibitions and performances in the back of cabins. You’ll also find nativity scenes, musical choirs and plenty of sweet treats. Stock up on stocking fillers and artsy Andalusian gifts and warm cold hands with a clutch of churros.

    Dates December 1, 2023, to January 5, 2024

    Best for an immersive festive treat
    
    

12. Vienna, Austria: Vienna hosts several Christmas markets, with the Vienna Christmas World on Rathausplatz and the traditional markets around the city. Don’t miss the steaming drinks in made-to-linger coffee houses. Myriad Christmas markets spread out along the narrow streets of the old town, offering traditional wooden toys and artisanal goods such as handmade soaps. Invigorate yourself with steaming mugs of mulled wine while the chill of the open air is warmed by the bracing aroma of roasted chestnuts and freshly baked pretzels.

    Dates November 11, 2023 to January 4, 2024; majority close by December 26

    Best for skating rinks and traditional toys

Whether you're sipping mulled wine in the heart of Vienna, skating beneath the twinkling lights in Brussels, or discovering handcrafted treasures in Prague, these markets have a unique charm that warms the heart and ignites the spirit of the season. We hope this guide has inspired you to embark on your own wintertime adventure, exploring the rich traditions, delicious treats, and joyful festivities that await you.