Dresden, Germany
- Set in the Altmarkt from November to December. Dresden’s Striezelmarkt is considered the oldest in the world, approaching its 600th year, the market is an enchanting holiday experience with around 250 stalls, a 15-meter candle arch and a Ferris wheel. Striezelmarkt is one of nine Christma markets in the city. Dresden has plenty of places to ramble from a medieval festival inside the walls of Dresden Castle to the Christmas lights on Prager Straße, the main shopping street. Dresden’s spectacular Semperoper opera house offers Christmas concerts and ballets throughout the holidays — so if you’re looking for a trip filled to the brim with festive highlights, Dresden is a great place to start.
Bruges, Belgium
Bruges, Belgium - Markt is a festive gem in the middle of a glowing city from November to January. It isn’t just the Bruges’ main market that gets a Christmas makeover as December nears; the whole medieval city takes on a fairytale appearance thanks to the ‘Winter Glow’ where sparkling lights meet festive traditions at every turn. Explore the wooden chalet-style booths at the Christmas market on Grôte Markt, offering hand-blown baubles, hot chocolate, waffles, and more, all surrounding a skating rink. As it turns dark, follow the Light Experience Trail where eight seemingly plain locations across the city are transformed by otherworldly light installations.
For a dose of tradition and history, Budapest Christmas Fair is the city’s oldest and biggest Christmas market, held in the gorgeous Vörösmarty Square. Both markets are perfect for picking up handmade gifts, trying delicious Hungarian winter dishes — don’t miss the chimney cake — and plenty of fun activities. There’s a schedule for Christmas and classical concerts at St Stephen’s Basilica, and skate rental entry is free at the ice rink under the Christmas tree.
Images from Freepik
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest, Hungary - Vörösmarty Square is home to two Christmas markets just a few minutes’ walk from each other, from November to December. Advent at the Basilica takes place on St Stephen’s Square, where festive scenes are projected onto the magnificent basilica every evening of advent. 160 stalls are peddling their festive fare in a market so good it’s been crowned the best in Europe for 2022.
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Zagreb, Croatia
November to January at Park Zrinjevac is Advent Zagreb. Wooden stalls fill Park Zrinjevac and line the surrounding streets, while an ice rink takes over King Tomislav Square just a few steps south. Elsewhere it feels as though the entire city is festooned with lights, so a walking or bus tour is worth braving the cold for. As well as the usual Christmas market offering of food, drink, handmade gifts, and entertainment. In a futuristic twist, augmented reality experiences at various pop-ups throughout the city will take you back in time to visit the Croatian capital’s former Biserka toy factory, which made some of the most iconic toys of the 20th century.
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Tallinn, Estonia
In the heart of Tallinn’s beautiful medieval center from November 25 to January Town Hall Square is transformed when the holidays come around. The huge Christmas tree, a tradition that goes back to the 1400s, is surrounded by stalls selling a variety of festive gifts, from sheepskin clothing to wreaths and sweets. Music plays a big part in the Estonian capital’s Christmas celebrations, and brass bands and dance performances can be enjoyed throughout the holidays. Santa’s arrival on a traditional reindeer sleigh is bound to delight kids both large and small — as will a visit to his grotto.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague’s Old Town Square hosts the city’s biggest and best Christmas market from November to January. You’ll get a brilliant view of the festivities from the Old Town all’s tower, where you can also spot the other christmas markets that are held around town. Wenceslas Square, Prague Castle, and Kampa Island should be on your list if you want to visit them all. Among the handmade ornaments, winter accessories and traditional Czech foods like gingerbread and trdelník pastries, there’s a petting zoo, a magnificent 25-meter tree, and a program of carol singing and traditional performances. Adults can swap mulled wine for grog, a local concoction of rum, water, lemon, and sugar.
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Vienna, Austria
Two skating rinks, a Ferris wheel, and a huge carousel from November to December. There are 12 Christmas markets in Vienna, from the popular Christmas Village at Belvedere Palace to the vast Christmas World on the city’s main square, athausplatz. Here, as well as the quintessential glühwein, cookies, and strudel, you’ll find more than 100 booths with traditional decorations and handicrafts. The Tree of Hearts will inspire even Scrooges to fall in love, while a Ferris wheel and ice skating add extra thrill to the romance. Little ones are also well-catered for, thanks to a huge carousel, reindeer train, children’s chalet, and junior skating rink. Throughout December, Christmas concerts appear on the program alongside the traditional Four Seasons concerts at the world-famous Karlskirche.
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Copenhagen, Denmark
November to December Tivoli Gardens become a Christmas market and amusement park combined. Copenhagen’s famous city center amusement park Tivoli Gardens is a year-round attraction but visit in December and it turns into a Christmas village. Market stalls nestle between the rides and lights of the park, while a skating rink takes center stage. See it all as you make your way past the tempting smells of the food stands and the plethora of gifts and decorations on sale, to the soundtrack of festive songs from the Tivoli Youth Guard. The Ferris wheel is worth the wait in line to see hundreds of Christmas trees and half a million lights — its centerpiece a tree in the middle of the park’s lake. Tickets are required to enter Tivoli Gardens and for the rides, which can be bought in advance.
Images from Freepik
Barcelona, Spain
November to December, Avinguda de la Catedral has a focus on tradition and nativity scenes. Barcelona’s oldest Christmas market, Fira de Santa Llúcia, dates back to 1786 and is the oldest market dedicated to nativity scenes and Christmas traditions. In the shadow of Barcelona Cathedral, there are no fewer than 192 stands selling items, like nativity figures and tree decorations. Visit the stunning nativity scene at the nearby Plaça de Sant Jaume for a life-sized version. Or take a tour of the rest of the Gothic Quarter to discover more of the city’s festive traditions. The smaller Christmas market at La Sagrada Família has a more local feel and great food, while the Port Vell Christmas Fair is the city’s newest, with a huge Ferris wheel, 30-meter LED Christmas tree, and a spectacular floating nativity scene made from lights.
