The Best Christmas Markets In Europe That’ll Make You Want To Travel There This Year-End

Travelling to Europe this year-end? Of giant dazzling Christmas trees, delicious Christmas bakes and goodies, and meet and greets with Santa, here are the best Christmas Markets in Europe!

European Christmas markets – also known as a christkindlmarkt or weihnachtsmarkt – are festive street markets that originated as an Advent custom in Germany during the late Middle Ages. These days, these Christmas markets are a holiday mainstay all over Europe, filled with little wooden huts where vendors sell piping hot mugs of glühwein (mulled wine) and all sorts of festive snacks, hand-carved ornaments, Christmas decorations and beautiful gifts for the holidays.

Some of these Christmas markets in Europe have even grown into full-blown winter festivals, with live music, performances, Santa meet-and-greets, kid-friendly activities, ice-skating and even rollercoasters. Feast your eyes on these best Christmas markets in Europe and mark down the dates in case you want to plan your holiday around a visit! Pssst! For something closer to home check out these Christmas markets in Singapore!

Read more: Ultimate Guide To All Things Christmas In SG

1. Prague, Czech Republic: 24m Christmas tree with 100,000 LED lights

The Prague Christmas markets are typically held in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square annually. These two squares are conveniently located just 5 minutes from each other. Often, this area is the main focus of Prague’s Christmas festivities. Highlights include a 24m Christmas tree at the Old Town Square that’s similar to the Rockefeller Christmas tree in NYC. The tree is donned with giant Christmas stars, red and gold baubles, and an impressive 100,000 LED lights!

Each year, the best tree in the whole country is selected from a different region, before being decorated and displayed in the town centre. Thousands visit the tree annually, and it is surrounded by a variety of stalls selling traditional Czech products, handcrafted decor and delish Christmas treats – must-tries include sugar-coated nuts, sausages and bratwurst. Sometimes, you’ll even get to see traditional arts such as sword-making being showcased in this European Christmas market.

Dates: 30 November 2024 – 6 January 2025

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2. Cologne, Germany: Multiple Christmas markets with children’s activities

If you’re planning to be in Cologne, Germany this Christmas, you’ll have to add their Christmas markets to your itinerary! There are several scattered throughout the city, each with its own theme and lavish Christmas decor. From a giant Ferris wheel to live performances, an ice skating rink and even a mini train called the Christmas Market Express, Cologne makes sure that every Christmas market will be one for the books!

Indulge in culinary delights, get a glass of hot mulled wine and marvel at the Cathedral, the Rhine and the glistening harbour Christmas market. Some of these markets also have activities for the kiddos, including face painting and performances!

Dates: 18 November – 23 December 2024

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3. London, United Kingdom: Winter Wonderland with carnival rides

One of the best Christmas markets in Europe, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland in London has something for the whole family. The mornings are best for younger kids because you get to enjoy things at a slower pace. Come evening, Hyde Park turns into a massive light festival with the scent of mulled wine and hot chocolate in the air – there’s loads of Bavarian beer too!

You can join a singalong and test your knowledge of Christmas songs, or go ice skating on the UK’s largest open-air ice rink; head on down to the ice slides afterwards or test your courage on more than 10 different thrilling rides and rollercoasters. This European Christmas market also has a giant Ferris wheel, Santaland for kiddos who want to pass on their Christmas letters to Santa, a stunning traditional Christmas market filled with Christmas gifts, decorations and Christmas food and even a frosty display of more than 500 tonnes of sculptured ice and snow statues.

Dates: 21 November 2024 – 5 January 2025

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4. Salzburg Christkindlmarket, Austria: One of the oldest Christmas markets in the world

The Salzburg Christkindlmarket, in Austria, dates way back to the late 15th century when the local community flocked to it for food, dolls and all sorts of cute bric-a-brac. These days, the Christmas market, which serves as one of the world’s oldest Advent markets in Europe and the world, opens with plenty of pomp and circumstance, and you’ll find it filled with traditional decorations for Christmas trees, all sorts of holiday gifts and, most importantly, decadent Christmas nibbles in the form of hot punch, mulled wine and Austrian pastries and bites.

Alongside the specially designed Christmas lighting, the Salzburg Christkindlmarket has daily programmes that include Christmas storytelling sessions for kids, Krampus parades, guided Christmas tours and concerts, traditional wind music and Christmas carol sing-alongs.

Dates: 21 November 2024 – 1 January 2025

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5. Tallinn, Estonia: Features a Christmas tree from 1441

Every Christmas, Tallinn’s town hall square comes alive with a Christmas market that’s filled with decorated trees and an array of merchants retailing local handicrafts and Estonian Christmas cuisine – think black pudding, sour cabbage, gingerbread and hot Christmas drinks to keep you warm as it snows.

The true highlight is the city Christmas tree, which has been the star of the holidays since 1441, making it the first Christmas tree ever to be put on display in Europe! Kids will love the merry-go-rounds and exciting Christmas programmes on offer. There are also plenty of handicrafts and decorations that you can purchase at this European Christmas market.

Dates: 22 November – 27 December 2024

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6. Heidelberg, Germany: One of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany

The Heidelberg Christmas Market is one of the oldest markets in Germany dating back to 1398! Their picturesque alleys are perfect for those Insta-worthy photos to capture the memories that you’ll make here. Little ones will delight in an antique carousel ride, while the grown-ups can relax with mulled wine and delicious bratwurst.

You can also ice skate at one of the most beautiful ice rinks in Germany, which boasts a view of the world-famous castle ruins on Karlsplatz. With illuminated fir trees, Christmas lights and a romantic castle backdrop, this Christmas market in Europe will leave everyone beaming with joy and filled with festive spirit!

Dates: 25 November – 22 December 2024

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7. Basel, Switzerland: Features a 13-metre Christmas pyramid

The Basel Christmas Market in Switzerland is split into two spots. Barfüsserplatz is filled with traders and artisans who retail enchanting Christmas gifts, jewellery and festive foods from cute, rustic wooden chalets. Pick up a cup of gluhwein, bite into servings of Basel Läckerli (a type of gingerbread) and waffles or enjoy freshly cooked fare like Swiss raclette and grilled sausages; don’t forget to swing by this Christmas market’s highlight, the 13-metre Christmas Pyramid for Instagram snaps.

Over on Münsterplatz, you’ll love the stunning Christmas tree that’s decked out with Christmas ornaments and decorations from the popular decorator Johann Wanner, as well as holiday lights. Another must-visit is Adväntsgass im Glaibasel at Rheingasse, a neighbourhood Christmas market that’s essentially a foodie haven with all sorts of Swiss festive delicacies.

Dates: 28 November – 23 December 2024

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8. Helsinki, Finland: Beautiful carousel at the heart of the Christmas market

Head to the Senate Square to experience the Helsinki Christmas Market! With over 100 local vendors with sustainable gift and food products and adorable handcrafted souvenirs, you can shop till you drop at this European Christmas market! Be sure to pick up a warm bowl of rice porridge, a Christmas classic in Helsinki.

Take the kids on the traditional horse carousel and feast on delicious Christmas treats. Enjoy live musical performances including a Christmas choir and keep an eye out for Santa and Mrs. Claus who will make their appearance to spread Christmas joy!

Dates: 29 November – 22 December 2024

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9. Liseberg, Sweden: A Christmas market in a theme park

Nothing says Christmas like five million fairy lights, the chance of snow and ice-skating at Liseberg, Scandinavia’s biggest amusement park. The Christmas market at Liseberg features ice-skating, concerts and loads of exciting Christmas lights and illuminations. There are also over 80 stalls selling Christmas delicacies and crafts. There’s even a chance to meet Santa!

Dates: 16 November – 29 December 2024

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10. Strasbourg, France: Oldest Christmas market in France

Known as the capital of Christmas, Strasbourg’s Christmas market is filled with twinkling lights, Christmas decorations and many stores for a shopping galore! A must-see attraction here is the real 30-metre Christmas tree in the square and the Strasbourg cathedral towers that surround the festive market.

Sip on vin chaud (mulled wine), pick up beautiful handcrafted gifts, and simply soak in the Christmas spirit at Strasbourg. With more than 300 stalls to browse though at this European Christmas market, be sure you bring good walking shoes!

Dates: 27 November – 27 December 2024

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11. Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt, Germany: Christmas market with plenty of children’s activities

Set against the New and Old Palace, the Königsbau and the Collegiate Church, this is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, and it certainly looks like something right out of a Christmas card! The Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt (Stuttgart Christmas market) includes stunningly decorated stalls selling pretty Christmas decor and holiday treats and concerts to get you in the festive spirit.

Dates: 297 November – 23 December 2024

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12. Warsaw, Poland: Christmas markets with stunning ice rinks

During Christmas, Warsaw is filled with Christmas lights and cute illuminated displays – you’ll see families skating on the ice rink in the city centre, and there are traditional European Christmas markets aplenty. There’s the Rynek Christmas market in the Old Town’s main square, the modern Christmas market in Praga and the main Christmas market along Market Square.

These festive markets are perfect if you’re on the hunt for Christmas gifts, as you’ll find warm sweaters and hats, local gingerbread and chocolates, decorations and much more being sold out of small wooden stalls that are decked out in colourful holiday lights.

Dates: 25 November 2024 – 6 January 2025

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13. Brussels, Belgium: All-in-one Christmas market

Winter Wonders is a Christmas market in Brussels that is spread out across several parts of the city such as Marché aux Poissons and the Grand-Place, and includes ice skating rinks, massive Christmas trees and a three-kilometre stretch of snow-blanketed Christmas chalets, offering hot food, warm mulled wine and more. Winter Wonders is also a light-filled affair, as it includes the Brussels by Lights event.

This mini-light festival will have all sorts of Christmas light displays and illuminations across the city’s streets and shopping districts. Bring good walking shoes, as there are almost 20km of light displays to check out at this Christmas market in Europe.

Dates: 29 November 2024 – 5  January 2025

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14. Santa Claus Village, Finland: Official home of Santa Claus

Now, we’ll admit this isn’t a traditional European Christmas market but if you are looking for Christmassy vibes you can’t get more festive than Santa Claus Village in Lapland! You’ll get to meet Santa and snap pics, see the Northern Lights, feed reindeer, llamas, alpacas and other animals, go on hikes and shop from a range of local artisans – expect handcrafted knick-knacks, Christmas gifts and all sorts of Finnish products.

While the village is open all year round, there’s always a special Christmas Opening (on 19 November this year!), honouring the area’s Christmas tradition and includes musical performances, Santa’s arrival and a speech from the man in red himself.

Dates: Open year-round

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