14 magical Christmas market destinations in Europe

There’s something truly magical about Christmas markets, especially when they’re located in the picture-perfect heart of a historic European city. From twinkling lights and winter wonderland destinations to mulled wine and handcrafted gifts, these markets create a memorable holiday experience, featuring iconic spots like Prague, Vienna, and Strasbourg.

Unsure which one to visit this year? Whether you’re searching for the top Christmas destinations in Europe or simply exploring festive traditions, these enchanting markets are sure to delight.

1. Prague, Czech Republic

The Old Town Square, in Prague, hosts the city’s biggest and best Christmas market. You’ll get a brilliant view of the festivities from the Old Town Hall’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 rum, water, lemon, and sugar concoction.

When:

November 29, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Where:

Staroměstské nám., 110 00 Josefov, Czechia

Why:

Traditional performances, a petting zoo, and plenty of grog

2. Dresden, Germany

If a traditional Christmas market is high on your list, Dresden’s Striezelmarkt, considered the oldest in the world, ticks many boxes. Approaching its 600th year, the market is an enchanting holiday experience where around 250 stalls and a 15-meter candle arch centerpiece attract no less than 3 million annual visitors. Striezelmarkt is one of nine Christmas markets in the city, with everything from a medieval festival inside the walls of Dresden Castle to the illuminations on Prager Straße, the main shopping street, to experience. At Dresden’s spectacular Semperoper opera house, Christmas concerts and ballets run 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.

When:

November 26, 2025 – December 24, 2025

Where:

Altmarkt, Dresden, 01067 Germany

Why:

The world’s oldest Christmas market is one of many in this historic city and one of the best winter activities around the world

3. Zagreb, Croatia

Three years in a row, Zagreb was crowned Europe’s best Christmas market, and it’s no wonder why. At 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.

When:

November 30, 2025 – January 7, 2026

Where:

King Tomislav Square, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

Why:

Voted the best in Europe many times, its brilliant ice rink and annual themes promise excitement and magic

4. York, UK

The St Nicholas Fair Christmas market, in York, celebrates the season with 70 alpine chalets stretching around St Sampson’s Square and along Parliament Street, transforming the English city into a winter wonderland. Along with mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, you can peruse produce and artisan gifts from local traders. You’ll find everything from Christmas cards to Yorkshire pudding beer and local gin on offer. Don’t miss the Christmas Tree Festival at nearby York Minster, the UK’s largest Gothic cathedral, where local businesses, schools, and charities have decorated 40 trees and you can add your own Christmas message to a prayer tree.

When:

November 13, 2025 – December 21, 2025

Where:

St Sampson’s Square, York, YO1 8SG, UK

Why:

Gourmet food pop-ups and unique Yorkshire flavors

5. Helsinki, Finland

The Christmas Market in Helsinki has become an integral part of the Finnish capital’s Christmas celebrations since it began in the 1990s. Surrounding a traditional wooden carousel that’s free to ride, more than 100 stalls sell handmade ornaments, clothes, jewelry, toys, food, and more. The market is divided into themed “gift alleys” where similar vendors are grouped, and shoppers will be spoiled for choice. The market has a focus on sustainability, as well as a commitment to recycling and minimizing waste, the stalls and carousel are run exclusively on renewable energy.

When:

November 28, 2025 – December 22, 2025

Where:

Senate Square, 00170 Helsinki, Finland

Why:

A focus on sustainability and locally made gifts

6. Tallinn, Estonia

In the heart of Tallinn’s beautiful medieval center, 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 various 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 will delight kids both large and small — as will a visit to his grotto.

When:

November 21, 2025 – December 27, 2025

Where:

Town Hall Square, 10146 Tallinn, Estonia

Why:

Santa’s grotto and traditional sleigh, plus a program of music performances

7. Dublin, Ireland

The most popular Christmas market in Dublin is set in the historic Dublin Castle, is a magical mix of history and holiday cheer. More than 30 alpine-style stalls selling decorations and artisan crafts fill the courtyard of the 13th-century fortress, while a program of music by the likes of the Dublin Gospel Choir adds to the festive atmosphere. Kids will love the vintage carousel, but there’ll be plenty of food, beer, and mulled wine, too. Entry to the Christmas market is free but advance tickets are required (you’ll find them on the Dublin Castle website). Elsewhere in the city, don’t miss the fantastically illuminated Temple Bar area, or the winter transformation of the Guinness Storehouse by renowned visual artist GRIF.

When:

November 19, 2025 – December 24, 2025

Where:

Dublin Castle, Dame St, Dublin 2, Ireland

Why:

A historic setting in a 13th-century castle, with other festivities on its doorstep

8. Budapest, Hungary

Two Christmas markets just a few minutes’ walk from each other in Budapest, so all tastes are easily catered for. Advent Bazilika takes place on St Stephen’s Square, where festive scenes are projected onto the magnificent basilica every evening of Advent, above 160 stalls peddling festive fare in a market so good it’s been crowned the best in Europe for 2023. Or for a dose of tradition and history, the 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 of Christmas and classical concerts at St Stephen’s Basilica, and skate rental and entry are free at the ice rink under the Christmas tree.

When:

November 15, 2025 – January 1, 2026

Where:

St Stephen’s Square and Vörösmarty Square, Budapest, 1051 Hungary

Why:

Budapest’s Advent Bazilika has been voted the best Christmas market in Europe for the last three years running

9. Stockholm, Sweden

There are no fewer than 10 Christmas markets dotted across the 14 islands that make up Stockholm. The most impressive and central, Stortorgets Julmarknad, has origins in Stockholm’s medieval markets. Grab some glögg (mulled wine) and peruse its (probably, hopefully) snow-covered stalls for a taste of Swedish Christmas, or coo over crafts from Lapland, modern design gifts, jewelry, candles, and decorations. You’ll also find traditional and local winter dishes like game sausages, cheeses, sweets, and marzipan. Want to check out some of the others?

When:

November 22, 2025 – December 23, 2025

Where:

Stortoget, 111 29 Stockholm, Sweden

Why:

There are 10 markets to visit, with Swedish winter food and gifts from Lapland

10. Vienna, Austria

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, Rathausplatz. 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.

When:

November 14, 2025 – December 26, 2025

Where:

Rathausplatz, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Why:

Two skating rinks, a Ferris wheel, and a huge carousel are all great for kids

11. Strasbourg, France

Held since the Middle Ages, Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik is the oldest Christmas market in France. With more than 300 stalls, a 30-meter high Christmas tree, a skating rink, and a program of concerts and events for the whole family, it more than delivers on its claim as the “Capital of Christmas.” Find out more about this popular Christmas destination (less than two hours from Paris) with a tour of the famous market.

When:

November 26, 2025 – December 24, 2025

Where:

Place Kléber, 67000 Strasbourg, France

Why:

France’s oldest Christmas market has 300 stalls and regular concerts for families

12. Copenhagen, Denmark

The famous Copenhagen 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 through 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 tree in the middle of the skating rink. Tickets are required to enter Tivoli Gardens and for the rides, which can be bought in advance.

When:

November 15, 2025 – January 5, 2026

Where:

Tivoli Gardens, Vesterbrogade 3, 1630 Copenhagen, Denmark

Why:

A Christmas market and amusement park combined

13. Bruges, Belgium

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 (Market Square), offering hand-blown baubles, hot chocolate, waffles, and more, all surrounding a skating rink. As it turns dark, take a horse-drawn carriage ride along Bruges’ cobbled streets to see the decorations from a magical vantage point, or follow the Light Experience Trail where eight seemingly plain locations across the city are transformed by otherworldly light installations.

When:

November 22, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Where:

Markt, 8000 Bruges, Belgium

Why:

A festive gem in the middle of a glowing city

14. Barcelona, Spain

The oldest Christmas market in Barcelona, 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, no fewer than 160 of its 192 stands sell exclusively Christmas-themed 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. Elsewhere, 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.

When:

November 27, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Where:

Avinguda de la Catedral, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

Why:

A focus on tradition and nativity scenes

FAQs

What is the most famous Christmas market in the world?

Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt in Germany is renowned as one of the world’s most famous Christmas markets. Originating in the Late Middle Ages, Christmas markets began in German-speaking regions and parts of the former Holy Roman Empire, including areas of modern-day France.

Which is the most beautiful Christmas market in Europe?

Europe boasts numerous stunning Christmas markets, each with its unique charm. Notable mentions include Madrid, Edinburgh, Salzburg, and Brussels. Kraków’s market, set in the historic Rynek Glówny square, offers a magical ambiance. Cologne and Mainz in Germany are famous for their festive atmosphere, while Koblenz provides a picturesque setting along the Rhine.

Which town in Europe has the best Christmas market?

Vienna and Innsbruck in Austria are renowned for their exceptional Christmas markets. Vienna offers a magical atmosphere with its historic backdrop and numerous market stalls, while Innsbruck provides a charming alpine setting with traditional crafts and festive treats.

Which Christmas market is best for children?

London’s Winter Wonderland is an excellent choice for families. This festive market features attractions like an enchanting ice kingdom, captivating circus shows, and the charming Santa Land, making it a magical experience for both kids and adults.

Are there any unique traditions at European Christmas markets?

Yes, many European Christmas markets have unique traditions that reflect their local culture. For example, in Germany, you might find the tradition of the Advent wreath, while in Austria, the Krampus parade is popular. In Scandinavia, you might encounter traditional Lucia processions and other winter celebrations.