Looking for a taste of holiday magic? European Christmas markets are an enchanting way to immerse yourself in the spirit of the season. With twinkling lights, festive treats, and handcrafted goods, these markets capture the warmth and wonder of winter. Whether you’re planning a holiday getaway or dreaming of future travels, here’s a quick guide to some of Europe’s most iconic Christmas markets.
For a detailed breakdown of the best Christmas markets in Europe, check out our comprehensive guide here.
Skip to the Christmas market opening dates in Austria and Germany.
Why You Should Put a Christmas Market Vacation On Your Bucket List
Christmas markets, or “Weihnachtsmärkte,” originated in Germany but have since spread across Europe. These open-air celebrations feature charming wooden stalls selling gifts, decorations, and seasonal delicacies. What sets each market apart is its unique cultural flavor—from Austrian alpine settings to French gourmet flair.
Whether you’re sipping mulled wine (called Glühwein) or marveling at intricate nativity scenes, these markets offer a magical experience for every visitor.
Quick Highlights of Must-Visit Christmas Markets
Here’s a look at some iconic Christmas markets worth adding to your list:
1. Strasbourg, France: The Capital of Christmas
Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, dating back to 1570. Located in the heart of Alsace, this market blends French and German influences with stunning medieval backdrops.
Don’t Miss: The breathtaking Christmas tree in Place Kléber and local specialties like bredele (spiced cookies).
2. Vienna, Austria: Elegance and Tradition
Vienna takes Christmas markets to another level with its stunning backdrops, such as Schönbrunn Palace and the Rathaus (City Hall). Each market in the city has its own unique charm, from handcrafted ornaments to indulgent Austrian desserts. Get all the details in our Austrian Christmas market guide.
Don’t Miss: A cup of Weihnachtspunsch (Christmas punch) and a walk through the illuminated Rathauspark.
3. Nuremberg, Germany: Timeless and Authentic
The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is famed for its children’s market as well as its authenticity and emphasis on traditional goods. Expect no mass-produced items here—just handcrafted treasures.
Don’t Miss: The famous Nuremberger Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and local sausages served in a bun.
4. Prague, Czech Republic: Fairy-Tale Charm
Prague’s Christmas markets feel straight out of a storybook. Held in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, they feature a mix of Gothic architecture and holiday cheer.
Don’t Miss: Trdelník (chimney cake) and the live nativity scene in Old Town Square.
5. Cologne, Germany: Cathedral Splendor
Few settings rival the dramatic backdrop of Cologne Cathedral during its Christmas market. Over 150 stalls offer everything from toys to local delicacies.
Don’t Miss: Kölsch beer and local Reibekuchen (potato pancakes with applesauce).
Tips for Enjoying Christmas Markets
1. Don’t just focus on the biggest European Christmas markets.
Europe is chock-full of Christmas markets! The most famous ones are classics like Vienna’s Christkindlmarkt and Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik, but there are small charming markets all over, and others with a hipper, indie vibe.
Looking for charming? Thurn und Taxis in Regensburg, Germany, was the most magical European Christmas market we visited, and it’s in a town we wouldn’t have previously considered visiting. Set in an actual castle courtyard filled with high-quality crafts and twinkling lights, it was everything you imagine holiday cheer should be.
Looking for more of a party vibe? Look no further than Munich’s LBGTQ pink market. At this Christmas Market, I bought my favorite ever Christmas ornament, an honest-to-God sexy lederhosen-wearing merman. Then I followed up that shopping feat by taking in a Whitney Houston drag performance while slurping down a delectable, chocolatey Lumumba cocktail.
The markets are at their best at night when locals come to let off steam after work, the lights are twinkling, and the glog is flowing. So you can easily hit other tourist spots or travel between towns during the day and do all of your market hopping in the evening.
2. Book early for accommodations near the main European Christmas markets.
The biggest markets are quite popular, so book early. We found an affordable apart-hotel near the action in Munich (Hotel Deutsche Eiche) so our kids could walk everywhere, and the Novotel Hotel Nuernberg Centre Ville for our stop at Nuremberg’s famed children’s Christmas market. One annoying thing you should anticipate is that many US flights get into Europe obnoxiously early in the morning, which means you have to figure out where your exhausted family and your bags will go before you can get into your accommodations.
We arrived in Copenhagen at the crack of dawn and our Airbnb wasn’t ready. So we headed to the citizenM Copenhagen Rådhuspladsen which had a comfortable cafe complete with a yummy breakfast and big soft sofas where we could snooze until it was time to go. It was a godsend when we were tired and lugging around bags.
We walked nearly everywhere on this trip and found that to be easy to manage, even with kids under 7 in tow. I recommend an air tag bracelet (air tag + bracelet) for kids so you have peace of mind when you’re out and about! Our youngest made a break for it in the crowded Rothenburg market, which was terrifying. Fortunately, we found her quickly, but now we always travel with GPS bracelets.
Get more tips for traveling with ADHD.
3. Consider Thanksgiving for a visit to European Christmas markets.
Different markets open throughout the season, so you have to confirm dates before making any firm decisions, but we found that all of the ones we wanted to visit were open by Thanksgiving week. It’s a perfect time to visit because it’s not as cold, and flight prices are lower than the stratospheric holiday pricing you find for domestic travel. During our visit, we were pleasantly surprised by the weather in both Copenhagen and Germany, and the crowds were manageable.
Bonus: By going in November, you can enjoy some beautiful lingering fall foliage, as we did in Munich’s English Garden.
4. Leave empty luggage space for all the crafts you’ll bring home from the Christmas markets.
The best markets are filled with lovely and unique ornaments and other crafts. If you’re used to the mass-produced crap you find at a lot of American street fairs, you will be very pleasantly surprised. I came home with a bag full of keepsakes that I cherish bringing out each year. Look out for nutcrackers, incense smokers, knitted items, and local specialties like Germany and Austria’s lebkuchen (a sturdy heart-shaped cookie that is more about looks than taste).
Another fun item to collect is the special market-specific mugs you can buy when you order kinderpunch or gluhwein. You can return the mug and get a deposit back or keep it as we did. I love breaking out my myriad of Christmas market mugs
each holiday.
5. Try all the European Christmas market food specialties.
Usually, when I travel I obsess over where to eat, but when it comes to holiday markets, you’d be missing out if you planned all your meals at restaurants. The markets are full of so many delectable snacks and meals. So much so, that we barely ate at restaurants in the evenings. Specialties are hyper-local, so you should do some recon before arriving so you know what to keep an eye out for. Some of my favorites in Germany were currywurst, kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes), flammkuchen (Alsatian flatbreads), and schneeballen (fried snowballs found in the very crowded fairy-tale village of
6. Don’t forget the Christmas cocktails.
Drinking is part of the fun at European Christmas markets, and there are delicious local specialties. Gluhwein, a hot mulled wine, is common, as is glog. But, it was a German specialty I’d never even heard of that won my heart. Eierpunsch is similar to eggnog, but is made with a German egg liquor. I tried to recreate it once I arrived home but it just wasn’t the same. Another can’t-miss is a flaming cocktail – the feuerzangenbowle. I tried one at one of my favorite markets, Munich’s Mittelaltermarkt, an incredibly atmospheric Medieval market.
Your Next Step: Explore the Full Guide
For a deep dive into top Christmas markets, including a full list of opening dates across Europe’s top markets and insider tips, head over to our detailed guide.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a family trip, or just some holiday cheer, Europe’s Christmas markets offer something for everyone. Get ready to sip, shop, and soak up the festive spirit!
When Do Christmas Markets Open in Austria and Germany?
| Our Favorite Christmas Markets | City | Opening Date |
| Schönbrunn | Vienna, Austria | November 8th, 2024 |
| Spittelberg | Vienna, Austria | November 16th, 2024 |
| Maria-Theresien-Platz | Vienna, Austria | November 13th, 2024 |
| Freyung | Vienna, Austria | November 15th, 2024 |
| Am Hof | Vienna, Austria | November 15th, 2024 |
| Stephansplatz | Vienna, Austria | November 8th, 2024 |
| Salzburg Christkindlmarkt on Dom- and Residenzplatz Square | Salzburg, Austria | November 21, 2024 |
| Old Town Christmas Market | Innsbruck, Austria | November 15, 2024 |
| Munich Medieval Christmas Market | Munich, Germany | November 25, 2024 |
| Pink Christmas, Market | Munich, Germany | November 25, 2024 |
| Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt | Nuremberg, Germany | November 29, 2024 |
| Old Rothenburg Christmas Market | Rothenburg, Germany | November 29, 2024 |
| Thurn Und Taxis Market | Regensburg, Germany | November 24, 2024 |
| Bamberg Christmas Market | Bamberg, Germany | November 28, 2024 |
| Würzburg Christmas Market | Würzburg, Germany | November 29, 2024 |
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michele stine
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